Pics: Spoorthi Ullal
Daijiworld media network-Mangaluru (JD)

Mangaluru, Dec 11: The annual feast of shrine of Our Lady of Pompei, at Urwa Immaculate Conception Church premises will be held on coming Sunday, December 13.

Addressing media persons in church premises, parish priest of the church, said that the bishop of the diocese of Mangaluru, Dr Aloysius Paul D'Souza will be the main celebrant of the festive holy mass to be held at 5:30 pm on Sunday December 13.

“In the holy mass, the bishop will inaugurate the year of Mercy 2016 proclaimed by the Pope Francis and I welcome the devotees to take part in the celebration,” he said.

“A special mass for the weak and deceased will be held at 10:15 am with special prayers,” he added.

Speaking on the historical significance of the shrine, he said that the devotion in the shrine started in 1895 and irrespective of religions, people throng to the shrine during the annual feast.

Assistant parish priest of the church, Fr Amith Rodrigues, vice president of the parish pastoral council Hilery D'Souza, secretary Jenevive Mathias were among others present on the occasion.