Shivamogga, Nov 25: The Inter-Diocesan celebration of the Christ the King feast and Eucharistic procession was held with great devotion and spiritual grandeur on Sunday, November 24, at the Sacred Heart Cathedral in Shivamogga. The event drew a large number of the faithful, priests, and religious from the Diocese of Shimoga, the Syro-Malabar Diocese of Bhadravathi, and the Syro-Malankara Diocese of Puttur.

The celebrations commenced at 4:30 pm with the Rosary led by Fr Santosh D'Cunha, followed by the Holy Eucharist at 5 pm, the launch of the Shimoga Diocese YouTube channel, and the Eucharistic Procession.

The main celebrant of the Holy Mass was bishop Dr Francis Serrao SJ of the Diocese of Shimoga. He was joined by bishop Dr Joseph Arumachadath of Bhadravathi and bishop Dr Geevarghese Makarios Kalyil of Puttur, who delivered an inspiring homily. A significant number of priests from all three rites concelebrated the Mass.

Fr Simon Pinto outlined the vision behind the creation of the diocesan YouTube channel, followed by the release of original compositions by various priests of the diocese under the title Rakshane. Fr Vinuth Kumar, the communications director of the diocese, conceptualized and designed the channel. Bishop Dr Francis Serrao SJ inaugurated the channel in the presence of bishops Dr Joseph Arumachadath, Dr Geevarghese Makarios Kalyil, and monsignor Stany D'Souza.

After the Mass, the Eucharistic Procession began from the cathedral, passing through the streets of Shimoga. Bishop Dr Joseph Arumachadath carried the Monstrance in a beautifully decorated vehicle. Fr Roman Pinto, Fr Santhosh Pereira, and Deacon Nishanth D'Costa led prayers, maintaining a devout atmosphere throughout the procession.

The procession concluded with adoration led by Fr Roman Pinto, followed by a solemn Eucharistic Blessing by bishop Dr Joseph Arumachadath at the cathedral. Numerous altar servers from various parishes actively participated in the Eucharist and the procession.

Msgr Stany D’Souza, the parish priest and dean of Carmel Deanery, expressed his gratitude to everyone who contributed to making the celebration spiritually enriching and successful.