Mangalore: Bishop Inaugurates Renovated Shrine of Cordel Church Founder
Pics: Brijesh Garodi
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangalore (BG)
Mangalore, Dec 12: The renovated shrine of Fr Alexander Dubois, fondly known as 'Frad Saib', the founder of Holy Cross Church, Cordel, Kulshekar was blessed and inaugurated by bishop of Mangalore Dr Aloysius Paul D’Souza on Tuesday December 11. The occasion marked the 135th death anniversary of the founder.
The Holy Eucharistic Mass was offered by Fr Patrick Rodrigues, followed by a grand Eucharistic procession at 7.15 pm. Adoration and festal blessings were held by Fr Patrick and Fr Valerian, parish priest of Cordel.
Addressing the gathering, Bishop Dr Aloysius spoke on the history of the Church and its founder and said that Fr Dubois came to Mangalore in the year 1865, and was regarded by native Mangaloreans as ‘Frad Saib’ of Franco Cordel, locally known as Kulshekar. He laid the foundation stone of the Holy Cross Church, Cordel on September 14, 1873.
"He was a devout Catholic priest who inspired several people to embrace Christianity owing to his personal charisma, in and around the city. His mausoleum at the significant place around the church complex is flocked by people of all faiths while a few take away the pinches of soil from his grave who believe that it has miraculous powers to heal the diseases," he said.
"The locals have legendary tales on Frad Saib who used to visit their houses in the evenings to recite family rosary," he said, adding that Frad Saib had laid the foundation for Holy Cross Church, Cordel when he was serving as parish priest at Milagres Church.
Donors and sponsors were honoured on the occasion by Dr Aloysius.
The bishop also released a book by Fr Devadatta Kamath on the history of Cordel Church and Fr Alexander Dubois.
A large number of parishioners including several priests and nuns from across the city and suburbs attended the occasion and sought Frad Saib's blessings.