Pics: Spoorthi Ullal
News by Felix Moras
Daijiworld Media Network—Mangalore (RD/CN)
 
Mangalore, Feb 13: The votive procession of head-load offerings was held at Guardian Angel parish, Angelore, on Friday February 12.
 
The procession began from Meera Printers, near Pumpwell on Friday evening, with parishioners of four wards. Thereafter, another group of parishioners from nine wards joined near Capitanio School. 

The parishioners of the rest of the nine wards marched in procession from Padil Railway Gate and joined them at the parish grounds at about 7.45 pm. 
 
Former parishioner Fr Vincent Monteiro and Cordel Holy Cross parish priest Fr Valerian Pinto, Uppinangady Our Lady, Virgin of the Poor parish priest Fr Anil Castelino, Angelore parish priest Fr Stany B Lobo, and assistant parish priest Fr Gratian Alvares ceremoniously accepted the head-load offerings of food grains and vegetables from all the parishioners and others at the parish grounds.
 
A colourful display of fireworks was held after the votive procession concluded at the parish grounds.
 
It is also significant that the office-bearers of the Brahma Baidarkala Garady, Maroli Yuvaka Vranda and others, Kordabbu Devastanam Alape, Gurudev Cricketers Alape, Googli Cricketers Nagori, to strengthen the age-old bond of brotherhood, also offered their head-load offerings on the occasion. 
 
Angelore parish council vice-president Jossy D’Souza extended a traditional welcome by offering a tray of beetle leaves and sliced areca nut symbolically to all those who contributed in the head-load offerings.
 
A part of the offerings of groceries and vegetables were auctioned-off after setting aside a required quantity for preparing the community lunch for Sunday February 14, when the platinum jubilee celebrations of Angelore parish will conclude. 
 
The chopping of vegetables and processing the grains will begin on Saturday.

Angelore parish council vice-president Jossy D’Souza, secretary Philomena Tauro, and Gurkars including volunteers from various wards oversaw the smooth movement of the procession and other arrangements.