Pics: Stany Bantwal
Media Release
Mangaluru, Jan 14: The annual feast of Infant Jesus was celebrated on Saturday January 14 at Bikarnakatte shrine with several masses and spiritual services. There were services in Konkani, English, Kannada, and Malayalam throughout the day. Dr Deepak Valerian Tauro, auxiliary bishop of the Archdiocese of Delhi, presided over the solemn festal Mass in the evening.
In his homily, Fr Richard Saldanha OCD emphasized the importance of choosing the right and narrow path prescribed by Jesus Christ to bring peace to the world. “Kings and powerful people like Herod are working hard to bring the world to war, hatred, and despair. But the Christ who became a helpless child can rule the hearts of all who begin to offer their own precious lives to him and take the road less travelled,” he said.
This magnificent shrine is dedicated to Infant Jesus and was built in 1996, a gift from the Carmelites of Karnataka-Goa province to the diocese of Mangalore in Karnataka. However, devotion to the Infant Jesus is said to have begun around 1950. Although every Thursday is dedicated to Infant Jesus, and many faithful gather here to worship, the annual feast is celebrated on January 14 and 15.
Fr Daniel Veigas OP, episcopal vicar of the diocese of Mangalore, presided over a special Mass in the morning. Throughout the day, many devotees flocked to the shrine in seeking divine blessings. Fr George Santumayor, provincial of the KG province, Fr Charles Serrao, superior of St Joseph's Monastery, and other priests and deacons also officiated at the evening festal Mass. Thousands of people attended the feast's Holy Mass in the evening, thanking Infant Jesus for blessings bestowed upon them.
‘To Live is Christ’ book released
A book called ‘To Live is Christ’ jointly authored by six scholars, namely Dr Augustine Mulloor from Kochi, Dr Richard D’Souza and Dr Johannes Gorantla both from Rome, Dr Rathan Almeida from Mysuru, Dr Rudolph Raj from Mangaluru and Dr Gregory D’Souza and edited by Dr Gregory D’Souza, was released by Dr Pius D’Souza, the assistant to the superior general of the Carmelite Order in the presence of Fr George Santhumayor, the provincial and Fr Charles Serrao, the superior of St Joseph’s Monastery.
After the Holy Mass at 7 pm, Dr Rudolph Raj D’Souza introduced the book to the public and said that this book shows how to reach the height of holiness after the example of the life and teaching of Jesus Christ.
Dr Pius D’Souza congratulated Dr Gregory D Souza for bringing out this book and recommended the same to the people to read the and benefit from it.