Udupi: Vodlem Fest of Our Lady of Health Attended by Diocesan Faithful
Pics: Wilson D’Souza Shirva
Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi (RD/CN)
Udupi, Feb 5: The annual feast of Our Lady of Health parish, Shirva, near here was celebrated with fervour on Wednesday February 4.
Mangalore Cordel Holy Cross parish priest Fr Valerian Pinto offered the festal Eucharistic Mass on Wednesday morning, along with Our Lady of Health parish priest Fr Richard Coelho, assistant parish priest Fr Fredrick, Karkala varado vicar forane Fr John Barboza, Udupi varado vicar forane Fr Mathew Vaz, Beltangady varado vicar forane Fr James D’Souza and other priests from neighbouring parishes. Thousands of faithful attended the Holy Mass.
The festal theme this year was, ‘Mother Mary is the way building family on the foundation of Jesus teachings’.
Fr Pinto, in his homily to the faithful, explained the virtues of the Holy family and the intercession of Mother Mary in granting graces to her beloved children. Mother Mary is the succour of the poor and the downtrodden. She showers her abundant blessings on those who seek.
Over 4,000 faithful were present at the festal Eucharistic Mass. People without the distinction of caste, creed, and religion, thronged the annual feast offering prayers, and lighting candles at the grotto.
Manipal Christ parish priest Fr Kiran Pinto conducted the vespers on Tuesday evening. The congregation gathered at the city centre on Tuesday and recited the rosary. A procession followed from the city centre to parish grounds later.
The games stalls set up by the parish ICYM unit on the parish campus was crowded with enthusiasts trying to win coveted prizes, after the Holy Mass. Other stalls of ice cream and snacks were also patronized.