Daijiworld Media Network – Karkala (KR)
Karkala, Jan 31: Dr Peter Paul Saldanha, bishop, diocese of Mangaluru diocese, presided over the festive mass at 10.30 am on the fourth day of annual feast of St Lawrence Minor Basilica, Attur on Wednesday, January 30. While Dr Gerald Isaac Lobo, bishop, diocese of Udupi, Fr George D’Souza, rector, St Lawrence Basilica, Attur, Fr Joswey Fernandes, dean, Karkala deanery, Fr Jencil Alva, assistant parish priest, St Lawrence Minor Basilica, priests from other parishes of Udupi and other dioceses were the co celebrants. Devotees from far and near gathered in the holy place to seek the blessings of St Lawrence.
In his homily, Dr Peter Paul Saldanha giving the instance of Saint Gianna Beretta Molla who was an Italian Roman Catholic paediatrician said, “She refused both an abortion and a hysterectomy while pregnant with her fourth child despite knowing that continuing the refusal could result in her own death which later occurred. Molla's medical career went in tandem with teachings of the Church which strengthened her resolve to follow her conscience while coming to the aid of others who required assistance. These views came into focus when she decided to save the life of her final child rather than think of herself. She dedicated herself to charitable work amongst older people and was involved in Catholic Action; she also aided the Saint Vincent de Paul group in their outreach to the poor and less fortunate. She was proclaimed as a saint of the Roman Catholic Church in the year 2004 for a model Christian life.
“God tells us to live a holy life. We need not be holy only after we die, we can be holy now itself. We need to believe in Christ his death and resurrection. To be holy does not need to be of any level or category. Only priests, bishops, nuns may not be holy even we can lead a holy life and believe in God. We do not become holy by wearing beautiful clothes or by having diet food but we become holy by the way we live. We become holy when we lend a helping hand to others in need. The help we give may be simple but it makes us Holy,” he said.
In his message Dr Gerald Isaac Lobo thanked the bishop of Mangaluru for celebrating the Mass for the first time in St Lawrence Minor Basilica and also acknowledged the efforts he had put for the documentation to proclaim this place has Minor Basilica when he was in Rome and also appreciated the development works done by the Rector of the Basilica and asked the support of the people towards the same.
Fr George D’Souza, rector, thanked the bishops who celebrated the Eucharistic Mass at the Basilica during the feast days and also the team leaders of various committees who were responsible for the success of the event. He also thanked all the priests who rendered selfless service to the devotees in their spiritual needs. On the same time he said, “Since recent times, even after this place declared as the Basilica, many development works are going on for the betterment service towards the devotees who visit throughout year from various destinations. By the feast 2020, we have made a plan to put the special stone in the church premises so the entire premises can be dust free state. Requested to support this cause by becoming the donor.”
Dr Lawrence Mukkuzhy, bishop, diocese of Beltangady presided over the festive Mass celebrated in Kannada.
In his homily, the bishop of Beltangady diocese said, “We are here to celebrate the feast of St Lawrence with zeal and faith. We are here to seek his blessings. Today, we are reflecting on the theme ‘I am holy so you also be holy’ God does not hear the prayer of people of who do evil deeds. He hears our prayer when we pray with a pure heart. We are the chosen people of God. We need to go near him with love and affection.
“People who are holy are the people of God. To be holy one need not be a priest or nun, we all are holy. A parents in the family who looks after their family’s responsibilities well are holy, a teacher, professor, solider, doctor etc who do their duties well are holy. A simple prayer with humbleness makes us holy. Our humbleness leads us to live a better life. St Lawrence a true solider of God believed in God and laid his life for the poor and needy. Let us be like him and lead a good and fruitful life,” he said.
The choir of the Mass was led by St Lawrence Minor Basilica choir troupe.
Kishore Alva, executive director and joint president of Adani UPCL projects Udupi visited the Basilica and expressed that whenever he had the opportunity to visit this area made the note to visit this place without fail. “I have personally witness the grace of St Lawrence from this place. We will try to help the various development projects taking place over here through our CSR projects,” he said.
David D’Souza, president, Mudarangadi gram panchyat was also present.
The stalls with religious and miscellaneous items stalls are being visited by devotees. The stalls of sugary confectioneries like the famous ‘Thambde Gulley ’or the ‘Sakkare Meetai’, local eatables, fast foods, sugar cane juice and water melon stalls are favourites. Amusement park is also full of visitors.
On, January 31, Dr Gerald Isaac Lobo, bishop, diocese of Udupi will be presiding over the festive Mass in Konkani.