News: Edgar Cardoza
Pics: Sany Digital Studio
Udupi, Aug 6: Novena of Vailankanni Shrine Kalmady was inaugurated on Thursday August 6 by Fr Lawrence D’souza, secretary, Catholic board of education, Udupi Diocese by hoisting the flag.
After the inauguration, Holy Eucharistic mass was celebrated by Fr Lawrence Dsouza while Fr Alban and Fr Denis were the concelebrants on the occasion.
The adoration commenced after hoisting the flag. Fr Lawrence took over the adoration with active participation of people.
Fr Lawrence in his homily said, “Mother Mary agreed willingly to be a handmaid of God because she accepted the will and way of God. She became the part of God’s mission of resurrecting mankind by delivering the Son of God- Jesus Christ. From then on, she never looked back but kept on pursuing as per the will of God. She always thanked God for choosing her for His mission. Hence she is a role model to every catholic for hearing the god’s voice carefully and following His wish. And thus she became the first step of God in resurrecting mankind which is the theme of the mass for this day”.
Every year Vailankanni shrine at Kalmady witnesses novena during this time of the month. This year, priests from various parishes will celebrate and offer mass from August 6 onwards. Each day Novena will be on different themes of life being associated to Mother Mary.
Dr Aloysius Paul D’souza, Bishop, Mangalore diocese will preside over the grand festival Eucharistic mass on Saturday August 15 at 10.30 am, along with Dr Gerald Isaac Lobo, Bishop, Diocese of Udupi.
Same day there will be a release function of newly prepared devotional audio CD on Vailankanni Shrine by Fr Valerian Mendonca and Fr Clement Mascarenhas.
Prior to this celebration, there will be a ‘Horrekannike’ offering on Thursday August 13 from Adi Udupi Junction to Church.
During the novena days, mass will be offered at 4.00 pm. There will be special prayers for the various intentions of devotees.
Fr Alban D’souza, parish priest, Stella Maris Church, Kalmady, Fr Denis Castalino, Fr Fredrick Dsouza, parish priest, St Ann’s Church, Thottam and devotees and parishioners were present on the occasion.
The festive Eucharistic mass on August 15 will be webcast live on www.daijiworld.com at 9.45 am onwards.