Kevin Rodrigues
Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi
Pics: Sany Digital Studio, Kalmady
Udupi, Aug 15: The annual feast of Our Lady of Vailankanni Shrine in Kalmady was celebrated with great devotion, as thousands of faithful gathered for the event on Monday August 15.
Dr Gerald Isaac Lobo, the bishop of Udupi diocese, presided over the holy Eucharistic celebration while Fr Roshan Menezes, Episcopal Vicar for religious, diocese of Udupi, 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.
Bishop Dr Gerald Isaac Lobo in his homily said, “Today we are celebrating the feast of Assumption of Mother Mary. She is with us like our mother from the day one. We learn ‘Hail Mary’ prayer in the initial days of our life. Many churches are dedicated to her worldwide. Poets wrote on her, artiste drew her pictures and she is known in various names throughout the world.”
“While we celebrate the feast, we need to know three things about her. First, she accepted God’s word. She lived her life like an ordinary woman with many others in her village. Secondly, she followed God’s word, and accepted God’s wishes to be the wife of Joseph and to give birth to Jesus. Her life is like open book. She surrendered her life to God. Thirdly, she is true mother in the world. She was waiting for the saviour of many, but she was not aware that she would give birth to True Saviour Jesus Christ.”
“When we celebrate Indian Independence, we should remember that true freedom comes when poverty vanishes from society. That was what Gandhi wanted. But today the gap between rich and poor has become wider. Many children still cannot go to schools. We need to think more about giving to the nation than receiving from it,” he added.
During the 9 days of novena, choir teams of nine parishes conducted the choir and made the celebrations more joyful. The feast day choir was led by Fr Roshan D'Souza, Capuchin and Leslie Aroza along with Kalmady Church choir members.
Masses in different languages namely Konkani, Kannada and English were offered during the day.
While thanking all, Fr Alban D’Souza said that many miracles have taken place here from the last 28 years. “Due to the blessings of God, soon the place will be called officially a shrine with Papal approval and a new church will be built before the next Assumption feast,” he said.
Bishop felicitated the sponsors and donors of the feast with candles.
In a short stage function after the holy mass, Dr Gerald Isaac Lobo, Pramod Madhwaraj, district-in-charge minister, Fr Alban D’souza, parish priest, Stella Maris Church, Fr Denis Castelino, Flavia Mathias, vice-president, Sanjay Andrade, secretary of parish pastoral council were present on the occasion.
'Darya Sukur', the annual bulletin of the parish was released by Pramod Madhwaraj.
On behalf of parishioners, bishop felicitated Pramod Madhwaraj on being appointed as the minister.
After receiving the felicitation, minister Pramod said that being the member of the village he was feeling happy to be part of the celebrations. “I will remember the words of Jesus of reaching the least person of the society while I discharge the duties of the minister,” he said.
Shobha Mendonca compered the programme.
Around 8,000 devotees had congregated on the occasion of the feast.