Pics: Sany Digitals Studio, Kalmady
Daijiworld Media Network-Udupi (WD)
Udupi, Aug 13: Ahead of the annual feast of Our Lady of Velankanni Shrine, a colourful ‘Hore Kanike’ procession was held from Adi Udupi junction to Kalmady church here on Saturday August 13.
The procession was blessed and inaugurated by Fr Alban D’Souza parish priest of Kalmady Church, Fr Valerian D’Silva. Devotees from the parish and neighbouring parishes took part in the procession and brought their offerings to Our Lady of Velankanni.
The practice of holding ‘Hore Kanike’ procession started five years back and has now grown bigger marking devotional fervour of devotees.
Soon after the procession, a small felicitation programme was held. Meenakshi Madhava, president of Udupi Municipal Corporation was felicitated on the occasion.
Addressing the gathering she thanked all the devotees present and also sought the blessing of Mother Mary for all devotees.
The Eucharistic celebration was celebrated by Fr Joseph Martis, rector of St Joseph Missionary, Mangalore along with other concelebrants.
In his homily, he said, “Mary was always faithful to God. Any work she did was for the praise of God. We too have learnt from our elders to grow in faith and love. We can sing God’s praise in three ways; first is to sing the praise of God, as Mary did. Let us also sing the praises of God though our voice is pale, God hears our prayers through our devotional songs. It also gives peace of mind.”
“Second is to listen to the Word of God. Let us read and practice the Word of God in our day-to-day life. Third is to serve God as per the His Words. Let us practice what we hear and what we read.”
Fr Alban expressed his gratitude to Fr Joseph for celebrating the mass and thanked everyone for participating and working hard for the success of the procession. Special prayers were offered to kind donors.
The annual feast of Kalmady will be celebrated on Monday August 15 at 10:30 am. Dr Gerald Isaac Lobo, Bishop, Diocese of Udupi will celebrate the mass along with other priests as concelebrants on the occasion.
Fellowship meal will be arranged for all the devotees on the occasion.
There will be mass at 6.00 am in Konkani, 4.00 pm in Kannada and at 6:00 pm in English on August 15.
A nine-day novena in preparation of the annual feast of Our Lady of Velankani was started on Saturday August 6. Fr Wilson D’souza, parish priest of Bejai Church inaugurated the novena by hoisting the shrine flag. While Fr Alban Dsouza, Parish priest, Fr. Denis Castelino, Flavia Dsouza, vice-president, Sanjay Andrade Secretary of the Parish Pastoral Council were present on the occasion.
Daijiworld.com will bring live webcast of the Eucharistic celebration from 9.30 am onwards on Monday August 15.