Stanley Bantwal

Mangaluru, March 16: The fifth birth centenary of St Theresa of Avila (patroness of Carmelite religious order and the doctor of the church) was celebrated at Infant Jesus Shrine Carmel Hill Bikarnakatte on March 15.

The celebration of the birth centenary marked the beginning with the holy eucharistic celebration. The main celebrant of the eucharist was Fr Pius James D’souza (episcopal vicar of the religious). Fr Gregory D’souza preached the sermon and the other co-celebrant were Fr Joe Tauro OCD (superior), Fr .Dennis Prabhu (vicar general), Fr Sylvester OCD (counselor), Fr Elias D’souza OCD (shrine director), Fr Steven Pereira OCD, Rev Fr Barnabas Monis OCD, Rev Fr Deepu Fernandes OCD, Rev Fr Melwyn D’cunha OCD (parish priest ,infant Mary church), Fr Walter D’souza OCD.

After the holy eucharistic the wonderful stage performances and the other cultural events based on the message and life of St Teresa of Jesus were performed by various groups, propagating the love and oneness in God and various simple means to achieve them.

The chief guest of the programme was Jacinta Alfred (mayor), the other honorable guests were Fr Pius James D’souza (Episcopal vicar of the religious). Fr Gregory D’souza, Rev Fr Dennis Prabhu (vicar general), Rev Fr Sylvester Pereira OCD, Fr Joe Tauro OCD And Elias Fernandes, and Sr Linnette AC (provincial superior). The gathering was welcome, by Sr Rose Agnes AC. The compering was effectively done by Fr Wilfred Rodrigues and vote of thanks was proposed by Fr Joe Tauro OCD.

Jacinta Alfred (mayor) in her message to the gathering called everyone to walk in the footsteps of St Teresa of Jesus and Fr Dennis Prabhu (vicar general) called each one to the sainthood inspite of their busy schedule.