Daijiworld Media Network – Udupi (JD)
Udupi, Aug 4: The world renowned Vailankanni shrine here at Stella Maris Church, Kalmady is gearing up to celebrate the annual feast on August 15 with great devotion and holistic fervour with a theme ‘Mary: Queen of faith’.
Vailankanni Shrine of Stella Maris Church, Kalmady is a popular devotional centre of the diocese of Udupi. It was declared as a shrine by Dr Gerald Isaac Lobo, bishop diocese of Udupi on Aug 15, 2022 during the annual feast celebrations. On Aug 15, 1988 the then bishop of the diocese of Mangalore Dr Basil D'Souza installed the statue of Mother Vailankanni which was brought to the church from Mother of Sorrows Church, Udupi in a very devoted procession.
Countless miracles have happened in this holy place after the statue of Mother Velankanni was installed. Thousands of devotees from all over the country visit the shrine every day to seek relief and to thank Mother Vailankanni for Her blessings.
Ahead of the annual feast nine days of novena prayers will begin from August 6. The flag hoisting ceremony will take place at 3:45 pm on Wednesday August 6. Fr Alban D’Souza, rector St Lawrence minor basilica, Attur will be the chief guest for the inauguration of novena prayers service. The nine days of novena prayers will be held from August 6 to August 14 at 4 pm every day.
A grand procession of statue of Mother Vailankanni will be held on Sunday August 10. The procession will begin from Kalmady bridge and will move to the Stella Maris Church, Kalmady. Msgr Ferdinand Gonsalves, vicar general diocese of Udupi will flag off the procession.
On Friday August 15, grand festival Eucharistic celebration will be held at 10:30 am. Dr Gerald Issac Lobo, bishop diocese of Udupi will celebrate the Eucharistic celebration along with other priests. On the day three more Eucharistic celebrations will be held at 7:30 am in Konkani, at 4 pm in Konkani and at 6 pm in English. A large number of devotees are expected to participate in the Eucharistic celebrations. Afternoon lunch has also been arranged for the devotees on festival day.
During the nine days of novena prayers special intentions for the sick, devotees, married couples, children, donors, youths, priests and religious, elders and for the families will be prayed.
Rector Fr Baptist Menezes, festival celebration committee and the parishioners have extended a cordial welcome to all the devotees for the annual feast and novena prayers.