Media Release

Pics: Stanley Bantwal

Mangaluru, Oct 5: Dr Aloysius Paul D’Souza, the bishop emeritus of the diocese of Mangaluru celebrated the festive Mass at St Vincent Ferrer Church. The celebration was held to mark the dedication of the month of October to Our Lady of the Rosary.

The Bishop in his message said that there is a beautiful custom among the Catholic families of Mangaluru to pray Rosary in the evening before taking supper. Soon after the prayer of Rosary the younger ones in the family ask blessings from the elder ones. It is a prayer which keeps and binds the families together. He asked the people present to keep this beautiful tradition going and not to neglect for any reason. Fr Clifford Fernandes, professor of St Joseph Seminary Jeppu preached a homily at St Anthony’s Ashram. He preached on the theme, ‘Mother Mary help us to reach Jesus our Lord’. In spite of the heavy down pour, thunder and lightning people enthusiastically participated in the procession not minding the inconvenience.

After the Holy Mass, Bhaskara Moily, the mayor of the city flagged off the procession. The decorated statue of Our Lady of Rosary was taken in procession accompanied by tableau depicting the Apparitions of Mother Mary. All along the way the devotees prayed Rosary.

St Vincent Ferrer Chruch Valencia; St Joesph Church Jeppu and St Rita Church Cascia organized the celebration. Fr Onil D’Souza St Anthony’s Jeppu; Fr James D’Souza and Fr Joswin, Valencia, Fr Harold Mascarenhas of Cascia church were present. Ivan D’Souza, MLC, wished well for the programme. Fr Franics D’Souza, the administrator of the institutes and Fr Thrishan, the assitant director proposed the vote of thanks. St Anthony’s Ashram Jeppu; Prashanth Nivas Jeppu, Holy Rosary Convent Jeppu, Gerosa Convent Jeppu and Roshani Nilaya Valencia joined the celebration. Around thousand people participated in the programme.