Media Release
Shimoga, Nov 7: Christ the King Church, Jog Falls, in the diocese of Shimoga, solemnly commenced the celebrations of its annual parish feast with the flag-hoisting ceremony on Friday, November 6. The ceremony marked the formal inauguration of the feast celebrations, followed by the three-day Triduum from November 7 to 9, in spiritual preparation for the solemn annual feast of Christ the King on November 10.
The programme began with the recitation of the Holy Rosary, followed by the solemn flag-hoisting ceremony. Msgr Stany D'Souza, rector of Sacred Heart Cathedral, diocese of Shimoga, led the prayers and hoisted the parish feast flag, formally inaugurating the feast celebrations.
Following the flag hoisting, Fr Franklin D'Souza celebrated the Holy Eucharist and preached the homily on the theme, ‘Christ the King – Jesus, the king of the poor and the marginalised.’ Reflecting on the readings from Isaiah 25:1–5 and Luke 4:16–21, he highlighted Jesus' mission of bringing the Good News to the poor, proclaiming liberty to captives, giving sight to the blind and setting the oppressed free.
Explaining the manifesto of Jesus, he emphasised that compassion, liberation and solidarity with the poor and marginalised must also become the manifesto of every Christian. He reminded the faithful that caring for the poor, reaching out to the neglected and standing with the marginalised are not merely acts of charity but lie at the very heart of the Christian mission. He encouraged everyone to follow Christ the King by making His values of love, justice, compassion and service a living reality.
Fr Franklin D'Souza, Fr Robert D'Mello, Fr Pius D'Souza, Fr Santosh Almeida, Fr Stephen Rodrigues, and parish priest Fr Salvador Rodrigues were present for the celebration; at the conclusion of the Holy Mass, the faithful joined in praying the Novena to Christ the King.
The parish priest, Fr Salvadore Rodrigues, warmly welcomed the priests and faithful and expressed his gratitude to everyone for their presence and active participation.
The three-day Triduum will be observed from November 7 to 9, with the solemn Eucharistic procession scheduled for the evening of November 9 as a significant highlight of the spiritual preparations. The celebrations will culminate in the solemn annual feast of Christ the King on November 10, bringing the parish community together in faith, prayer and thanksgiving.
The flag-hoisting ceremony marked a grace-filled beginning to the annual feast celebrations, inviting the faithful to renew their commitment to Christ the King and to live His mission of love, compassion and service, especially towards the poor and the marginalized.