News: Edgar Cardoza
Pics: Sany Digital Studio, Kalmady
Udupi, Aug 13: A colourful 'Hore Kanike' procession was held here on Thursday August 13 as part of the annual feast of Vailankanni Shrine of Kalmady to be celebrated on Saturday, August 15.
The procession was blessed by Fr Alban, and inaugurated by Janardhan Thonse, president, Udupi city development authority. Fr Henry Mascheranus, diocesan estate manager, Udupi, P Yuvaraj, president, Udupi city municipal corporation (CMC), Vijaya Manchi, CMC standing president, Hormis Noronha, CMC councillor, and other dignitaries were present.
The practice of holding Hore Kanike procession was started 26 years back, when the miraculous statue came to Kalmady despite many hardships. Since then it has grown more colourful with more and more devotees coming together for the procession every year.
Addressing the gathering before the inauguration, Janardhan Thonse said he was one of the devotees of Vailankanni Mai (Mother Mary at Kalmady shrine) and was very glad that he got this blessed opportunity to inaugurate the Hore Kanike procession.
As the procession reached the premises of Kalmady shrine Fr Alban D'Souza, director of Kalmady shrine and Fr Henry welcomed the Hore Kanike and blessed the people and donors at the gate.
The mass in Kannada was led by Fr Dr Alwyn Serrao, judicial vicar, Chikkamangluru and Shimoga diocese, and Fr Alban, Fr, Brijesh, capuchin, Fr Fredrick Dsouza, parish priest, were the co-celebrants.
Fr Alwyn Serrao in his homily said, "Mother Mary was mother of God, mother of Jesus Christ, and is a dear loving mother to all of us, her children. She understood the will of God and made a huge sacrifice, which inspires us to render our service selflessly."
Fr Alban thanked all the priests in celebrating the mass, and thanked everyone for participating and for working hard for the success of the procession.
The annual feast of Kalmady is all set to be celebrated on August 1, at 10:30 am led by Dr Aloysius Dsouza, bishop of Mangaluru diocese and Dr Gerald Isaac Lobo, bishop of Udupi diocese. The mass will be followed by the lunch for all the devotees and visitors to the shrine.
Daijiworld.com will bring live webcast from 9.30 am onwards on Saturday August 15.