Mangalore: Annual Feast of Mudipu Shrine Draws Faithful in Thousands
Report by Stanley Bantwal
Pics: Nellu Permannur
Daijiworld Media Network – Mangalore (RD)
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Mangalore, Dec 4: The annual feast of Blessed Joseph Vaz church, Mudipu near here was celebrated on Thursday December 4 morning. While Bishop Aloysius Paul D'Souza of Mangalore offered the festal Eucharistic celebration on Wednesday December 3, Bishop Lawrence Mukkuzhy of Beltangady along with other priests offered the solemn Eucharist on Thursday December 4 morning. The faithful from far away parishes including a few Sri Lankan pilgrims also partook in the Eucharist.
Earlier, in preparation for the annual feast novenas were held from Sunday November 23 to Monday December 1. Masses were held throughout the day from Tuesday December 2 to Wednesday December 3 along with the Adoration of Blessed Sacrament.
Mudipu parish is dedicated to Blessed Joseph Vaz, born on April 21 1651 in Benaulim, Goa. He was the third son of Christopher Vaz and Miranda couple. He was ordained as a priest in 1676 and he served various parishes. His sole ambition was to work as a missionary in Sri Lanka. He served in various places in Sri Lanka, rekindling the Christian faith. He died as a martyr there on January 16, 1711.
Recognizing his missionary work, Pope John Paul II proclaimed him as Blessed Joseph Vaz in Colombo, Sri Lanka on January 21, 1995. He is also venerated as the 'Apostle of Sri Lanka and the patron of Goa.'
Mudipu, a tiny village, is located on Mangalore-Vittal road. During his service as a parish priest of Our Lady of Mercy church, Paneer, Ullal, near here, some deviant Catholics plotted against him. One day they came and requested him to anoint a sick person. The benevolent priest readily agreed and started with them. As soon as they reached Mudipu Hill, a deserted place they attempted to kill him. The priest immediately struck his stick to the ground, knelt down and began to pray. And suddenly a miracle took place; water sprang from three different directions. People who plotted to kill the priest fled leaving him there. Those three springs still bear witness to the bygone graced event. It is special because the adjacent 60-feet-deep well does not have water. It is believed that the water from these miraculous ponds has healing power.
Sri Lankan pilgrims annually arrive at the hill shrine here, to witness the trail of miracle left behind by their patron Blessed Joseph Vaz.
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