Pics: Spoorthi Ullal
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangalore (DV)
With Inputs from Media Release
Mangalore, Jan 2: The annual feast of the Infant Jesus will be celebrated on January 14 with a solemn mass at 6 pm, said Fr Pius James D’Souza, superior, St Joseph’s Monastery while addressing the gathering at a press meet held at Carmel Hill, Bikarnakatte.
“People from different places come here to offer prayers on Thursday because usually seven masses are held on that day. Even the Mass will be held in three languages- Kannada, Malayalam and in English”, he added.
Infant Jesus Shrine also provides aid to the needy, organizes blood donation camps and the father and brothers visit jails and offer food to the inmates. The shrine also builds houses for the poor every year, he said.
"People from different places come here to get counselling from priests and nuns. Foremost thing is to tell their grievances. This centre also offer solace to their problems," he said.
The mass will be presided over by Bishop of Asansol, West Bengal, Dr Cyprian Monis.
A nine-day novena will commence on January 5 in preparation of the Feast. On January 14, masses will be held at 6 am, 8 am, 10.15 am (for the sick) and 11.30 am in Konkani; at 7 am in Malayalam, 9 am in English and 12.30 pm in Kannada. A prayer service will be held at 1.30 pm.
Novena Mass timings from January 5 to 13:
Konkani: 6.15am
Konkani: 7.30 am
Konkani: 9 am
Konkani: 10.30 am
English: 5 pm
Konkani: 6 pm
Kannada: 7.15 pm
Elias D’ Souza, Infant Jesus Shrine director and Elias Fernandez were present.
About Infant Jesus Shrine
The Infant Jesus Shrine provides peace and solace to all its devotees. The chapel managed by the Carmelite fathers was built in the year 1947. Though the devotion to Infant Jesus had started 150 years back, it took a definite shape in Mangalore after the Belgian Carmelites, especially those staffing the erstwhile Quilon Seminary, decided on founding a house of monastic observance in the port city. For this purpose, two Belgian priests Marcel and Hyacinth were sent to Mangalore in 1947. They explored the city in search of a suitable site and hence came across Carmel Hill where the construction work of the Chapel commenced. At first, the devotional service to the Infant Jesus in the Chapel consisted of a mere prayer which was recited on Thursdays after the Mass in the morning. Later, for the convenience of the people, the Mass with its subsequent devotion in an elaborate form was shifted to Thursdays in the evening. By the year 1980, Carmel Hill was so much frequented on Thursday evening by people even from afar, that it became a known centre for this devotion. With the growing people, there was a need to have a bigger place. Hence, the beautiful shrine was constructed and was inaugurated by former Bishop of Mangalore Rev. Fr. Basil D’Souza on May 11, 1996.
The architectural structure and design of this shrine is unique in many ways. Five huge columns encircle and uphold the main structure, while rising to a height nearly double that of the roof and converging under a globe atop where a luminescent Cross is planted. While at the base, the shrine is hexagonal, the roofing is pentagonal. The floor is made up of marble but the aisle and border along the walls is made up of granite. The lights used to illuminate the shrine are concealed and their light is reflected and diffused by the ceiling. The columns and ceiling are solid concrete as also the overhead globe.
The shrine which is carefully planned has a rich symbolic meaning and significance derived principally from Biblical themes, of both the Old and the New Testaments. The basement surrounded by the five huge columns is intended to represent the palm of the hand of God. The five columns represent the fingers of His hand converging towards the overhead globe, which symbolizes the universe. The Cross atop the globe is an indication and symbol that God’s love has redeemed all humanity through Christ. The three doors and the stained-glasses above them depict pictures narrating important aspects of Christian faith. Each of the doors is flanked by a grill on either side which has sketches of the Carmelite saints.
Unlike other churches, the Crucifix is not elevated above the ground but planted on the floor of the Sanctuary to indicate ‘God with us.’ The image of the Crucifix is a carving, all of one piece of teak. To the right of the altar is the Tabernacle and to the left is the Bible. There are two niches, one on the right and one on the left, for the statues of Our Lady of Mount Carmel and of the Infant Jesus respectively. The statue of Infant Jesus was brought from Prague and many people are seen offering prayers here.
The hill houses the old chapel as well as the shrine. Many people light candles at the grotto having a huge statue of the Infant Jesus. Below the grotto is an adoration room where the ‘Blessed Sacrament’ is placed. There is another grotto having the statue of ‘Our Lady of Mount Carmel.’ A small cemetery, having graves of the priests who lived on the hill and worked for the shrine is also present. One can also buy holy books, rosaries, statues and souvenirs at a small stall, placed next to the shrine. The entire hill is covered by mango trees planted by the Carmelite priests almost 50 years ago. There is also a beautiful viewpoint from where one can see the entire surroundings of Mangalore.