Media Release

Chitradurga, Aug 19: Our Lady of Assumption Church, Hiriyur belonging to Chitradurga district under the diocese of Shimoga, celebrated its annual feast on Friday August 18.

Feast preparations began with three days renewal retreat from August 11-13 preached by RFr Roman Pinto, parish priest of St Francis Xavier's Church, Kable.

Triduum began on August 15. Parish priest Fr Franklin D'Souza blessed the chariot. Then there was a rosary procession with the Marian flag and novena. Fr Richard Pais, director of Karnataka Regional Social Service (KROSS), Bengaluru blessed the flag of Our Lady and hoisted the flag.

The Holy Eucharist was celebrated by Fr Maxim Dias (Diocese of Bellary) - Karnataka Regional Director for proclamation and evangelization as well as SCC. Fr Richard Pais (Diocese of Shimoga) - director of the KROSS preached the homily on the theme: ‘Ruth, role model for the family’. He said that family should be ‘rooted in Christ’ (Colossians 2:6). He gave examples of biblical families, how they obeyed God. He spoke on the example of Ruth and Navomi. He gave practical suggestions on how one needs to strengthen family values in today's context.

August 16, the second day's novena began with a rosary procession. Then parish priest Fr Franklin D’Souza led the novena.

Fr Lancy Barthalomeo D'Souza, parish priest of Our Lady of Immaculate Conception Church, Newtown, Bhadravati celebrated the Holy Eucharist and preached on the theme: ‘Esther is the inspiration to face the difficulties & turbulent situation in life’.

He called the faithful not to give up in difficult situations. “We should have faith and confidence like Queen Easter,” he said and explained with the help of God, how she saved her people from the hands of wicked Haaman and how God saved Mordakai and his clan. He said, “We have a queen that is Our Lady of Assumption who courageously faced all the troubles with the faith.”

He also said, “For us power comes from the Word of God. Through the power of the Word of God, we can win over any situation through faith and prayer.”

At the end of the Mass, parish priest Fr Franklin D'Souza felicitated Fr Lancy Barthalomeo D'Souza as he is in the year of his priestly ordination silver jubilee.

The parish council members honoured him with a shawl, garland, Mysore peta and a gift.

August 17, the third day's novena began with the St Mary's Road Rosary procession. Mary road chariot was taken out to thank Our Lady of Assumption by the Assumption ICYM youth as it was tradition of the parish. Then parish priest Fr Franklin D’Souza led the novena.

Fr Stephen Maxi Albuquerque, parish priest of Our Lady of Lourdes Church, Thirthahalli, celebrated the Holy Eucharist and preached on the theme: ‘Susana, is the inspiration to lead a life of holiness’.

He spoke on the importance of holiness and challenges that one faces when we lead a life of holiness. He gave the example of St Agnes as our role model. He also connected the message with Blessed Virgin Mary.

At the end of the Mass, parish priest Fr Franklin D'Souza felicitated Fr Stephen Maxi Albuquerque as he is in the year of his priestly ordination silver jubilee.

Fr Franklin D'Souza and Fr Nelson D'Souza together with the parish council members honoured him with shawl, garland, Mysore peta and a gift.

On August 18, the parishioners received Dr Francis Serrao SJ, bishop of the diocese of Shimoga at Hospital Circle and welcomed him with a small procession together with the band.

Bishop Francis Serrao SJ concelebrated the festal Holy Eucharist with 13 priests. Among them Fr K A George, dean of Little Flower deanery, Fr Richard Anil D'Souza, dean of Holy Family deanery were present. A large number of faithful and religious witnessed the thanksgiving Holy Eucharist. In his homily, the bishop spoke on ‘All generations will call me blessed’ (Luke 1:48). He invited the faithful to take her as their role model. Fr Nelson D'Souza and Fr Stephen Maxi Albuquerque led the choir.

At the end, parish priest Fr Franklin D'Souza thanked everyone, honoured the donors with candles and for every SCC unit, blessed candles were distributed.

There was a chariot procession as the culmination of the church feast. Parish priest Fr Franklin D'Souza blessed the chariot. Hundreds of faithful and other people witnessed the mega event of procession. It took almost two and half hours.

After the procession, parish priest Fr Franklin D'Souza led the thanksgiving adoration and benediction.