Pics: Kevin Rodrigues / Edgar Cardoza
Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi
Udupi, Jul 15: The recently found statue of St Lawrence at the Sita River was brought ceremonially to St Lawrence Shrine, Attur on Thursday July 14 from St Anthony Church, Sasthan.
The journey commenced after the morning mass. Hundreds of parishioners of Sasthan took part in this journey.
The statue was welcomed by the huge number of devotees assembled at St Lawrence Shrine. Fr George D’Souza, John D’Silva, vice president, parish pastoral council were present.
The statue was blessed by Fr John Walter Mendonca. After the blessing Fr John said, "This statue had come to us mysteriously and my parishioners of Sasthan and I felt it should be treated with care and be placed with respect. We could have kept it with us, but all of us decided that this basilica dedicated to St Lawrence is the best respectable place that could be accorded to it. Hence we are offering this statue as a gesture of our love.”
Fr George promised to place the statue in an appropriate place with honour and respect as soon as a few amendmending jobs are complete.
The Thursday novena and mass followed which was attended by more than 1,500 devotees.
Fr Steevan D’Souza, director, Divya Jyothi was the main celebrant of the mass. In his homily he mentioned, “It is Jesus who alone can help us bear the weight of our hardships and sins in our life. When we live as a family we share our happiness and our difficulties. At times we feel that their weight deprives us of our happiness and we wait for this hour to pass away. We visit holy shrines and attend retreats. When we assist others, Jesus assists us with our weight. Media has created a huge impact on our lives. We yearn to be modern by copying others in order to earn status. We forget our roles and responsibilities. We forget our aim in life. By this we undergo a series of pressure and frustration. Hence it is in our hands to control the usage of media and avoid the weight in life."
Prayer for the sick and old was conducted followed by mass.