Pics: Kevin Rodrigues
Daijiworld Media Network - Karkala (WD/KR)
Karkala, Jan 27: On the tenth day of novena and annual feast of St Lawrence Minor Basilica, Attur witnessed a large number of devotees.
The festive mass was presided by Dr Gerald Isaac Lobo, bishop, diocese of Udupi, while Fr George D’Souza, rector, St Lawrence Basilica, Attur, Fr Joswey Fernandes, dean, Karkala deanery, Fr Melwyn Roy Lobo, assistant parish priest, St Lawrence Minor Basilica, priests from other parishes of Udupi and other dioceses were the co celebrants.
In his homily, Dr Gerald Issac Lobo said, "With the theme 'We all are brothers and sisters' we are celebrating the feast of St Lawrence Minor Basilica this year. Pope Francis says the entire world is a family and we all are brothers and sisters in this family. Jesus in his preaching said not only who are related to us through blood relation are our brothers and sisters, but people who are in need are also our brothers and sisters. He said those who do the will of God are his brothers and sisters. Jesus came to this world to save us. He said to love one another as we love ourselves. Even today we see people with difficulties, sorrows and various other problems and in this case, we can be a good samaritan to them by lending our helping hand or we can be like Levite and the priest who in spite of seeing an injured man didn't help him but went on their own way. We need to be the followers of Christ who called us to help the poor and needy."
"Pope Francis says we all have responsibilities towards underprivileged and we need to be good samaritans to these people. We need to be good to all people without expecting anything in return. St Lawrence was always compassionate towards the needy. He helped the needy by giving away the treasures of the Church. Today while we adore St Lawrence let us take him as an example and help the needy in our surroundings. Let us treat them like our brothers and sisters and be true followers of Christ."
Fr George D’Souza, rector, thanked the five bishops who celebrated the Eucharistic Mass at the shrine 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.
The choir of the mass was led by the St Lawrence Minor Basilica choir troupe. Bishop of Udupi diocese in his message thanked the rector Fr George D’Souza for his extraordinary service to the Basilica and also urged the devotees to pray for the completion of the stalled development projects of Basilica.
Rest masses of the day were presided by Fr Walter D’Souza, parish priest Alangar Church, Fr Charles Menezes, parish priest, Mother of Sorrows Church, Udupi, Fr Valerian Mendonca, parish priest and rector Milagres Cathedral, Kallianpur, Fr Paul Melwyn D’Souza OFM.
Thursday being the last day of the annual feast a large number of devotees are expected to visit the basilica.
Festal masses and celebrants
Dr Peter Paul Saldhana, bishop, diocese of Mangalore, will preside over the Holy Eucharistic celebration on Thursday, January 28 at 10 am. Mass will be celebrated in Konkani.
Daijiworld.com will provide the live webcast of the above mass.