Daijiworld Media Network – Udupi (JD/KR)
Pics by Sany Digital Studio, Kalmady
Udupi, Aug 15: The annual feast of Our Lady of Health Shrine, Kalmady was celebrated with great devotion on Sunday August 15.
Dr Gerald Isaac Lobo, bishop, diocese of Udupi, presided over the celebrations. Fr Alban D’Souza, rector, St Lawrence Minor Basilica, Fr Baptist Menezes (junior), parish priest, Stella Maris Church, Fr Stany B Lobo, chancellor, diocese of Udupi, Fr Charles Menezes, dean, Udupi deanery, Fr Valerian Mendonca, rector, Milagres Cathedral, Fr Vincent Crasta, secretary, CESU, priests from the deanery and other parishes were the concelebrants.
In his homily, bishop Dr Gerald Isaac Lobo said, "Adam and Eve were the first family to be blessed by the Almighty Himself. The family of the Almighty consists of Almighty the Father, Jesus the Son and Holy Spirit as Mother. Our families should be a representation of this holy family. This divine family has inculcated the values of love, cooperation and support to each other. These values should be inculcated in our families too. The holy family of Lord Jesus is a model to all of us.
"Mother Mary played a vital role in this family. Mother Mary is a role model to all the mothers in this world. Mary is a joy for the mankind. Mother Mary is a faith of families. Families are blessed by the Almighty. Our families are the living witnesses to the divine family," he added.
Fr Baptist Menezes thanked all the devotees for their contribution throughout the year. Prior to the Eucharistic celebrations various sponsors were honoured by the bishop of Udupi.
The celebrations were preceded by nine days of novena that began on August 6. Every day at 4 pm, Mass, novena and special prayers were held. On the festival day masses were held in Konkani at 2 pm and in English at 6 pm.
Konkani Mass
English Mass