Daijiworld News Network - Udupi (MB) - Pics Wilson D'Souza, Shirva

Mangalore, Jan 31: The annual feast or the 'vhoddlem fest' is an occasion for Mangalorean Christians for renewing the family bonds, which tradition has been kept for a long time.

With the inroads of westernization and urbanization into the social mosaic,  the tradition is slowly wearing out. Yet, thankfully, in rural areas of the undivided Dakshina Kannada district, the practice is followed and the local feast is eagerly looked forward to.

People employed abroad also try to time their annual holiday to coincide with the feast so that they could meet all friends and relatives.

Shirva in Udupi district is one of the parishes in the Mangalore diocese which has been very religiously keeping the tradition alive.

Ahead of the annual feast on Wednesday, February 1, the Confraternity Sunday (or 'Comfricho Aitar' in local expression) was celebrated on Sunday, Januray 29.

With the feasts normally celebrated on a Wednesday, the preceding Sunday is always celebrated as the 'Comfricho Aitar'. A solemn procession was taken around the church vicinity wherein a large of number of faithful converged and partook of the fraternal celebration.

The eve of the feast (Tuesday evening) is observed as the 'vespers' in the church. Wilson D'Souza of Shirva has sent some pics clicked on last Sunday for the benefit of our readers.