Richard D'Souza

Udupi, Jul 10: The Titular Feast of Udupi Diocese Cathedral Our Lady of Miracles was celebrated with liturgical solemnity, religious fervour and great devotion here on July 9.

After the erection of the new diocese this is the first celebration of titular feast celebrated by the main celebrant Dr Gerald Isaac Lobo, first Bishop of Udupi Diocese along with Fr Stany Tauro Dean of Shirva Varado, Fr Anil D’Souza Dean of Kundapur Deanery, Fr Valerian Mendonca Chancelor of Udupi Diocese and around 27 priests of the diocese and past assistant priests of the church.

During the homily by Fr Sunil D’silva Parish Priest of Pethre Church beautifully highlighted the faithfullness of Mother Mary and her role of development of faith. Under faithfull circumstances, he said that we should learn from the virtues of Mother Mary and become devout and blessed catholics with greater faith in Jesus and the church.

 In the course of the homily, Fr Sunil elaborated the role of the church in the life of the Catholics and also pointing out the dangers of modernism, there is a danger of dwindling faith and lack of spirit of prayer among a large number of Christians, especially the young who are increasingly becoming dependent on modern gadgets.

At the end of the mass, in favour of the firgent of the titular feast Juliet, daughter in law of late Anthony Joseph D’silva of Milagres A ward was honoured with decorated & lighted candle by the Bishop.

The Titular Feast of Our Lady of Miracles has been celebrated since 69 years by late children of Anthony Joseph D’silva as firgent with great fervour. The prime huge statue of Our Lady of Miracles in main alter which was donated by the firgent of the titular feast.

The spiritual preparation for the Titular Feast of Our Lady of Miracles had begun in the form of the novena that started from 30th June 2013.

The novena was also conducted following the 6: 30 am mass and 8 am mass on Sundays. A large number of parishioners and neighbouring parishioners regularly participated in the novena.

The choir trained by Fr Mahesh D’Souza, included first ordained set of priests of the diocese as well as assistant parish priest sang all the hymns in melodious tune that raised the spirit of the congregation.

Following the end of the mass the rector of the Cathedral Fr Stany B Lobo extended his best wishes of the titular feast to all the parishioners, devotees and all concerned. He expressed his gratitude to the resident priests, nuns, choir group, members of acting parish and all concerned.

He anticipated some of the future plannings and projects of the Cathedral. Meanwhile Diocese Bishop also gave his feast message. During his message Bishop said that the cathedral belongs to all diocesan devotees.

Our Lady of Miracles is the patroness of not only the parishioners of cathedral but for the Diocese of Udupi as well. He also anticipated some of the projects to develop the diocesan cathedral and he asks for the help to do so.

Large crowd of devotees participated during the celebration of Titular Feast of Our Lady of Miracles at Kallianpur. There was no rain during the celebration of the feast mass even though it has been raining for the past couple of days.