Kevin Rodrigues
Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi
Pics: Sany Digital Studio, Kalmady
Udupi, Aug 15: The annual feast of Our Lady of Vailankanni Shrine Kalmady was celebrated on Saturday August 15 with great devotion, as thousands of faithful gathered for the event.
Bishop Dr Gerald Isaac Lobo in his homily stressed on the holiness of Mother Mary and said that she was lifted up to heaven with body and soul as per God’s plan. "She is the real role model for all human beings who have doubts about life after death. Her faith and obedience in God made this happen."
“Mother Mary’s Feast of Assumption began to be celebrated during the 6th century. But after 1950s, it was celebrated with better understanding and great devotion on this day worldwide," he added.
"Today, we are celebrating the Independence Day. People of the county have got political freedom but we are still faced with problems like corruption, attacks on people etc. When these things stop, then only will we get real freedom and independence," he said.
"On this occasion, let us pray to Mother Mary that she gives us strength to overcome all these evils in society and achieve real freedom," he added.
Dr Gerald Isaac Lobo presided over the holy Eucharistic celebration while Fr Valerian Mendonca, chancellor, diocese of Udupi, Fr Roshan Menezes, episcopal vicar for religious, diocese of Udupi, Fr Reginald Pinto, director, Sampada, diocese of Udupi, Fr Edwin D'Souza, director, ICYM / YCS, diocese of Udupi, Fr Fredrick Mascarenhas, dean of Udupi deanary, Fr Alban D'Souza, parish priest of Stella Maris Church and director of Vailankani Shrine, Kalmady and other priests from the diocese were the concelebrants.
Prior to the Eucharistic celebrations, Fr Valerian D’Silva gave candles to donors who sponsored the feast.
Fr Alban D'Souza thanked all the devotees from Udupi, Mangaluru, Shivamoga, and Karwar diocese who gathered for the feast. He especially thanked the 99 families of the parish who helped in making this celebration, including the nine-day novena, a success. He also thanked the vice-president and the secretary of the parish pastoral council, parish pastoral council and Gurkars of all organizations of the parish.
After the Eucharistic celebration, a brief informal function was arranged, during which 'Vailankani Mai', an album of 10 songs on Mother Mary by Fr Clement Mascarenhas and Valerian Mendonca was released by Bishop Gerald Isaac Lobo. This was the 25th devotional hymns audio CD in Konkani.
'Darya Sukur', the annual bulletin of the parish was released by Vinay Kumar Sorake, minister for urban development and Udupi district incharge. After the release, Sorake conveyed Independence Day and feast wishes to all devotees. He said that he would work with MLA Pramod Madhwaraj and strive to bring more funds from the government for the new church construction work.
On the occasion, Pramod Madhwaraj, MLA of Udupi released the souvenir ‘Jivith’ on family life commission which is led by Leslie Aroza at Udupi diocese level. Madhwaraj wished the gathering on the occasion of the feast and Independence Day and said, "Not only Catholics but many non-Catholics also visit this holy place. I have seen this since my childhood."
During the 9 days of novena, nine parishes' choir teams conducted the choir and made the celebrations more joyful. The feast day choir was led by Fr Fredrick D'Souza and Leslie Aroza along with Kalmady Church choir members.
A fellowship meal was served to as many as 8,000 devotees on the occasion of the feast.
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