News & Pics: Br Praveen Joy Saldanha & Roshan Bela

Kasaragod, Feb 14: Annual feast of Our Lady of Dolours shrine Bela was celebrated with devotion and grandeur on February 10, 11 and 12. Thousands of devotees participated in the liturgical celebrations of the annual feast.

The central theme of the feast was “In the model of Holy Family, let us live a consecrated Christian life and make our families holy.”

Bishop Ignatius D’Souza of Bareilly diocese presided over the solemn Eucharistic celebration on Tuesday, February 12. Bishop Ignatius in his homily stressed the need of family prayers and role of parents in the family. Parish Priest Fr Vincent D’Souza felicitated Bishop Ignatius, who is originally from Bela. Vespers – evening prayer and adoration added vigour to the celebration of the day. Bursting of crackers was the specialty of the day organized by vehicle owners’ and drivers’ association.

Annual family feast was celebrated on Wednesday, February 11. Fr Santhosh Rodrigues, director of family welfare centre, Mangalore diocese presided over the solemn festal mass. Fr Santhosh highlighted the responsibilities of children towards parents and parents towards children. 22 priests from Kasaragod and other deaneries concelebrated during the festal mass. Special prayers for the sick were organized and priests prayed over the devotees.

Feast of our lady of Lourdes and the day of the devotees was celebrated on Thursday, February 12. Fr Santhosh Menezes, Parish Priest of Narampady, celebrated mass for the children. Divine Mercy prayer group conducted adoration and special prayers for the sick. Fr Anil Joel D’Souza, assistant priest of Modankap, celebrated the festal mass and preached on the theme ‘Mary, the queen of families’.

P.B. Pinto, a well known social worker in Kuwait, was felicitated for his humanitarian services during the feast. “Sahabhojana” meals were organized by Bela shrine for all the devotees. Thousands of devotees partook in the “Sahabhojana” during the day of the devotees.

Special mass for the couples was held and presided over by Fr Binoj Puthenpurackal, superior of the Holy Trinity Ashram, Kollangana. Candle light procession to the Grotto of Our lady of Lourdes added colour to the celebration.

Cultural eve was held on Thursday evening organized by Catholic Sabha and cultural committee of the parish. Tulu drama ‘Saadi Tappodchi’ was the specialty of cultural eve.

Under the able leadership of Parish Priest Fr Vincent D’Souza three days’ annual feast was well organized. Deacon Praveen Joy Saldanha and liturgical team had organized well knit liturgy. Vice President M.S. Thomas D’Souza, Secretary Roman D’Souza and members of the parish pastoral council and other associations toiled hard for the success of the annual feast.

Thousands of devotees visited Bela shrine during three days of annual feast. Devotees had the opportunity to participate in the sacrament of reconciliation. Devotees visited miracle statue of our lady of Dolours in the old church, 300 meter long tunnel and underground resurrection chapel. Devotees had the experience of the divine during the annual feast of Bela shrine.