Pics: Sany Digital Studio, Kalmady
Daijiworld Media Network – Udupi (JD/WD)
Udupi, Aug 15: As part of the annual feast celebrations of Stella Maris Church Kalmady, car procession of Mother Vailankanni was held on Wednesday, August 14. MLC Ivan D’souza flagged off the procession.
Speaking on the occasion Ivan said, “Devotion should come from inner mind. Devotion is not taught by others. Everyone who take birth on this earth cultivates a different sort of devotion. We have found this devotion through Mother Vailankanni. Stella Maris church is a small church but the divinity of this church is spread across the world. The miracles happened here have helped to spread the divinity of this church all over the world. Miracles happen when we pray with devotion. God is watching us and he has given us some recess from rains to carry out this procession.
“Many people lost their lives and some are still struggling to overcome the havoc created by flood and rains. God hears everyone’s prayers. The church is a model to everyone. I pray for a peaceful society. Let us offer special prayers for our brothers and sisters who are in distress. I am also a devotee of this shrine,” he added.
Fr Alban D’souza, parish priest, Stella Maris Church, speaking on the occasion said, “Thirty-one years ago, the statue of Mother Vailankanni was brought in procession from Udupi church to Kalmady church. By the grace of Mother Vailankanni, the name of this shrine has spread across the world. Through Mother Vailankanni, many miracles have taken place in Kalmady. This church is a first boat shaped church in Karnataka. Let Mother Vailankanni bless us all abundantly. Through Mother Vailankanni’s petition, Lord Jesus bless all of us and our surroundings. Let us pray for the people who lost their lives due to heavy rains in various parts of nation.”
Holy Eucharistic celebration was celebrated by Dr Peter Paul Saldhanha, bishop of Mangaluru.
In his homily, Bishop Dr Peter Paul Saldanha said, “We need to be obedient as Mother Mary. Mahatma Gandhi said good things do not need publicity. Mother Mary calls us for the satisfaction which she received from Holy Spirit. She was filled with God’s grace. Mary did not have any temptations of committing sin. This shows that God’s presence was there with her. As per gospel of St Jacob, Mother Mary’s parents left her in the temple as she was born in their older age. They had left her in the temple as an offering to Lord. She was looked after by the saint women in the temple. The Church has declared Mary as Immaculate Conception. This signifies that Mother Mary is completely pure from the moment of her birth.
“Mother Mary knew that God lives in her womb and she decided that she would never lose the child. Mother Mary, a common woman is greater than any Basilica, temple or pilgrimage, because God himself lived with her. When we decide to follow all the things of Jesus Christ, God starts to live with us. Today, Mother Mary tells us to make a home for God within us. When Mother Mary appeared to people in various parts of the world, she asked people to return to Jesus Christ, to follow penance, and to follow amendments of God. By praying, spirit of God comes to live between us. Mother Mary calls us to become temples of God through our prayers,” he added.
Annual feast of Stella Maris Church Kalmady will be held on Thursday, August 15. The feast Mass will be celebrated at 4 pm. Dr Gerald Issac Lobo, bishop of Udupi will be the chief celebrant.
Sundar Kalmady, councilor, Kalmady ward, Fr Praveen Monteiro, resident priest, Fr Charles, Fr Valerian, Fr Roshan and other priests from diocese and others were present.