Pics: Kevin Rodrigues
Daijiworld Media Network – Karkala (WD/KR)
Karkala, Jan 27: The annual feast of St Lawrence Minor Basilica, Attur, began on Sunday, January 27 with the theme ‘I am holy, so you also be holy’.
The first day festive Mass was specially offered for the children. Dr Aloysius Paul D’Souza, bishop emeritus, diocese of Mangaluru was the main celebrant of the festive Mass. Fr Denis D’Sa, dean, Shirva deanery, Fr Stephen D’Souza, director, Divya Jyothi, diocese of Udupi, Fr Joswey Fernandes, dean, Karkala deanery and other priests from Udupi diocese were the con-celebrants.
In his homily, Dr Aloysius Paul D’Souza, said, “Our Pope calls everyone to live a holy life. God has given us a call to live a holy life through baptism. We need to take the examples of the all saints and lead a holy life. There is no need to be a bishop, priest or nun but if we live our life in peace and in faith we become a saint. If we see the life of Jesus Christ, we see he bore all our sins and laid his life for us to save us. He called us to be holy and lead a life helping others. His life is an example for us to live in faith. Today we need to leave all our bad deeds and lead a life that makes us happy and also help others to lead a holy life,”
“As we pray for children, today we need to teach our children to live a holy life and also look after them well and behold the promise given by the parents while taking marriage vows. We have gathered here at this holy place to seek the blessings of St Lawrence. He led a holy life and laid his life by helping the poor and needy. Let us take the life of St Lawrence as an example and lead a holy life,” he added.
Prior to this, Confraternity Sunday was celebrated in the morning. Fr Chetan Lobo, editor of Uzwad fortnightly presided over the Eucharistic Celebration. Fr George D’Souza, rector and parish priest, St Lawrence Minor Basilica, Fr Jencil Alva, assistant parish priest, St Lawrence Minor Basilica, and other priests were the concelebrants.
In his homily Fr Chetan Lobo said, “We are the pilgrims in this earth, once our journey ends we need to go to heavenly abode. The procession we took shows that God is with us, guiding us in all ways. We have been preparing for the last 5 days before the feast of St Lawrence and we pray for its’ success.”
“Man in this world is in search of happiness, peace and satisfaction. And many of us go on searching for it in others and in holy places. There are some who read books related to it trying to find happiness. But there are less people who have succeeded in finding them. Searching for Happiness, peace and satisfaction means searching for God, because all this lies in God itself. “
“As we celebrate conformity Sunday, we need to know the real meaning of it. It is finding God in poor and needy, and also in people who have lost hopes in life. We have a big challenge today of considering others as our own brothers and sisters. We need to trust God and go near him for happiness, peace and satisfaction and be an example to others.” he concluded.
After the Eucharistic Mass, holy sacrament was taken in procession from Basilica to UBM ground stage at Doopadakatte.
Fr George D’Souza, rector of St Lawrence Basilica, thanked all the parishioners for their whole hearted service and also requested them to extend their helping hand throughout the festivities.
Various stalls of religious articles have been set up in the church premises, Police personal, health centre, enquiry desk, media centre, and Catholic Sabha Karkala deanery voluntary stall and various stalls have been put outside the church premises.
Feast this year
The feast which began on Sunday, January 27 to Thursday, January 31 will have 35 Masses in Konkani and 11 Masses in Kannada.
On Monday, January 28, special prayers for sick, elders will be conducted and Dr Robert Miranda, bishop, diocese of Gulbarga will preside over the special mass at 10.00 am and 3.30 pm. On this day, if any sick and elderly people want confession and communion, special arrangements will be made to attend people near their vehicle itself. First two days of the feast, vehicle can be taken to the church grounds.
On Tuesday, January 29, Dr Peter Machado, arch-bishop, diocese of Bengaluru will be presiding over the festival mass at 6 pm.
On Wednesday, January 30, Dr Peter Paul Saldanha will preside over the festival mass at 10.30 am and in the evening at 5.30 pm. Dr Lawrence Mukkuzhy, bishop, diocese of Beltangady will preside over the mass in Kannada.
On Thursday, January 31, Dr Gerald Isaac Lobo, bishop, diocese of Udupi will be presiding over festival mass in Konkani. During five days, round the clock arrangements for confession service have been done by the priests.