Pics: Sany Digital Studio, Kalmady/udupi

Daijiworld Media Network – Udupi (TP)

Udupi, Aug 11: A grand procession of the statue of Mother Vailankanni was held ahead of the annual feast of the Vailankanni shrine at Stella Maris Church, Kalmady on August 10.

The procession commenced from Kalmady Bridge, where the statue of Mother Vailankanni was blessed and proceeded towards Kalmady Church.

Msgr Ferdinand Gonsalves, flagged off the procession and said, “The simplicity of Mother Mary is an ideal for everyone, and we must strive to follow in her footsteps. Mother Mary, the mother of Jesus, faithfully followed the word of god and became a role model for all through her humble and simple life, he said.

On this occasion, as a prelude to the annual convention of the Indian Catholic Youth Movement (ICYM) Karnataka Region, the members of ICYM St Ann’s Church, Thottam, who are carrying the Holy Cross across the state, handed over the Holy Cross to the youth leaders of Kalmady Church.

Later, a pilgrimage walk was held, carrying both the statue of Mother Vailankanni and the Holy Cross to the church. After the procession, novena prayers and the holy Mass were offered at the church.

Rector of the Shrine Fr Baptist Menezes, Udupi Diocese Youth Commission director Fr Steven Fernandes, and members of the church’s feast celebration committee were present.

On August 15, the annual feast holy Mass of the Vailankanni Shrine will be held at 10.30 am, led by the Bishop of Udupi Diocese, Dr Gerald Isaac Lobo.