Daijiworld Media Network – Udupi (JD)

With Inputs from Media Release

Udupi, Aug 3: “With immense gratitude to Almighty God, the Annual Feast of Our Lady of Vailankanni will be celebrated on August 15, with the solemn Eucharistic celebration at 4.00 pm. Dr Gerald Isaac Lobo, bishop, diocese of Udupi will preside over the celebrations and other priests from the deanery will be present,” said Fr Alban D’Souza, director of the Stella Maris Church, Kalmady.

“Prior to the annual feast, car procession will start from Karavali Junction on August 14 at 2.45 pm. Ivan D’Souza, MLC will flag off the procession. Dr Peter Paul Saldanha, bishop, diocese of Mangaluru, preside over the Eucharistic Mass and the final day of Novena.

“Nine days Novena will start on August 6. The novena will be inaugurated by hoisting the flag on the newly inaugurated column of honour beside the church. Fr Dr Ronald Serrao, rector, St Joseph Seminary, Mangaluru, will preside over the Eucharistic Mass and it will be followed by novena.

“During the nine days of novena, every day evening at 4.00 pm, Eucharistic Mass, Novena and special prayers for needy will be held. During the 9-day novena, each day intentions like devotees, family, religious leaders, married couples, youths, children’s, sick and elderly people, and donors will be held.

“On the festival day August 15 at 8.00 am in Konkani, 2.00 pm in Konkani, at 4.00 pm Eucharistic Mass in Konkani, at 6.00 pm in Kannada, at 8 pm in English mass will be celebrated,” he said.

Fr Praveen, assistant parish priest, Sanjay Andrade, vice president, parish pastoral committee, Francis Fernandes, 18 commissions, and Melwin Coelho, ICYM president were present during the press meet.

About Stella Maris Church

Stella Maris Church devoted to Our Lady of Vailankanni at Kalmady attracts thousands of pilgrims from around the world. Larger visiting devotees and parishioners have recorded testimonies of miracles and special favours by Our Lady of Vailankanni. We have strong witnesses that there have been miracles taking place in this place. Large devotees without any caste and religion visit this place every day and seek God’s blessings.

Inspired by the Noah’s Ark, Stella Maris Church in Kalmady, Udupi is built in the shape of a boat and also has a bell tower in the shape of a lighthouse. The 1st of its shape in Karnataka, 2nd in India and 3rd in Asia.

Stella Maris means the star of the Sea and this name suits beautifully to this Church. Stella Maris Church is situated on the coastal banks of Arabian Sea. It is very close to Malpe natural harbour of Udupi district, Karnataka, India.

Stella Maris Church of Kalmady being a great pilgrim center, like the morning star guides the devotees of Jesus and Mother Mary to give up their sinful life and to follow the path of prayers truthfulness, nobility, love and sacrifice and to walk on the footsteps of Jesus. So it helps the sinners to give up there evil ways, bad habits and helps them to come out of it and lead a good life.

Kalmady being a small village was totally unknown to the outside people. But now because of Stella Maris Church and the lady of Vailankanni Shrine, it has become a great pilgrim Centre. Today Kalmady has marked its own boundary in the world map. People from all over the world come to the church seeking favours from our lady of Vailankanni and when they receive favours again they come here with the gratitude to give thanks. So the place Kalmady which is chosen by God himself has become a place of miracles and devotion and has brought in communal harmony and brotherhood here.

Before 1972 there was no church in Kalmady. People of Kalmady had to go to Udupi Mother of Sorrows Church or St. Anne Church, Thottam for the religious need. Thereafter a small Chapel was built by Fr Charles D’Souza, the founder of Stella Maris Church Kalmady being a native of Kalmady. This Chapel was blessed by Bishop Basil D’Souza on 5th February 1972.

It was on 15th of August 1988 the Statue of Our Lady of Vailankanni donated by Fr Wilson D’Souza was brought from Vailankanni to be installed at Kalmady Church. On August 15, 1988 it was blessed in Mother of Sorrows Church Udupi and was brought to Kalmady in a grand procession and was installed here by Bishop Basil D’Souza. Since then it has become a great shrine and pilgrim center.

Thereafter every year the feast of installation of Our Lady of Vailankanni statue at Kalmady is celebrated on August 15. On August 14, Our Lady of Vailankanni car procession is held to commemorate the procession.

The new church was inaugurated on January 6, 2018 during the tenure of Fr Alban Dsouza.