Richard D'Souza

Udupi, Dec 25: Christmas Eve was celebrated at Milagres Cathedral, Kallianpur with much devotion and vigor with solemn High Mass concelebrated by Dr Gerald Isaac Lobo, bishop of Udupi diocese along with Fr Stany B Lobo, rector of the Cathedral, Fr Rollwin Aranha, assistant parish priest of Milagres Cathedral, and Fr Denis Lobo, superior of Pilar Fathers, Kallianpur.

The Christmas eve celebrations started at 7 pm with Christmas carols sung by outstanding choir of the Cathedral. The solemn High Mass began at 7.30 pm.

During in his homily, the bishop said that the world waited for the arrival of Jesus Christ, the light of the world. "Peace and harmony are two faces of a coin. Jesus brought peace to the world. Christmas is where we find the Christ of God intersecting with humanity. Without Christmas we might never have known the intensity of the love that God has for us. Christmas is the living promise that we are never ever alone. No matter where we are in life, no matter in what condition we find ourselves, no matter how far we might stray away or how unfaithful we are, God, the supreme lover, will pursue us in love for eternity.

"Pope Francis has called on Catholics around the world to use the ongoing Jubilee Year of Mercy to open wide the doors of their hearts to forgive others. Therefore, Udupi diocese has giving various seminars to pastoral council members on divine mercy of Lord," he said.

At the end of the mass, Fr Stany B. Lobo expressed words of gratitude on account of Christmas celebrations. The bishop also gave his message to parishioners as well as diocesan people on the occasion.

After the mass, ICYM organized housie housie programme and auctioned beautiful Christmas cakes for the benefit of ICYM. The programme was compered by Shiny Rodrigues.

A large number of faithful flocked to Christmas Eve celebration at Milagres Cathedral with devotion and vigour.