Mangalore: Colourful Procession Marks Bicentenary Jubilee Celebrations of Frad Saib
News by Praveen Tauro Kulshekar
Pics: Nellu Permannur
Daijiworld Media Network—Mangalore (RD/CN)
Mangalore, Apr 22: The motorcade procession of offerings by devotees from Infant Jesus Shrine, Carmel Hill, Bikarnakatte to Holy Cross parish, Cordel, began at 4.30 pm on Tuesday April 21.
It was held to mark the bicentenary jubilee celebrations of Fr Alexander Dubois, the French Friar and architect of Holy Cross Church, Kulshekar, who was popularly known as ‘Frad Saib’ of Franco Cordel, and by others as ‘Kullerda Ajjer’.
Bikarnakatte Carmel Hill Infant Jesus Shrine chief Fr Nelson Pinto blessed the motorcade procession.
Dakshina Kannada (DK) district in-charge minister Krishna J Palemar inaugurated the stage programme.
Palemar, speaking on the occasion, said that it is a great tradition to offer the fruits of labour, acknowledging divine grace. He added that Christians have extended their service to our nation over many centuries in every possible way and conveyed best wishes for the success of the celebrations.
MLA U T Khader said that offering of fruits of labour by the devotees is an ideal for people of all religions and the selfless service of Fr Dubois should inspire us to work for humanity and social causes.
City lawyer Ivan D’Souza said that the procession of offerings signifies the unity and compassion that sustains the community in hard times.
Khader, D’Souza, and corporator Mariamma Thomas were the chief guests on the occasion.
Kulshekar Holy Cross parish priest Fr Valerian Pinto, assistant parish priests Fr Vincent Saldanha and Fr Arun Lobo, jubilee celebrations convener Susheel Noronha, parish council vice-president Victor Vaz, and secretary George D’Souza, were present on the dais.
A convoy of 24 automobiles from various wards of Holy Cross parish depicting their patrons including three tableaux on Frad Saib and thousands of devotees participated in the procession.
The Vespers were held at Holy Cross parish by the main celebrant diocesan vicar general Monsignor Dennis Moras Prabhu.
Fr Dubois had laid the foundation stone of the Holy Cross Church, Cordel on September 14, 1873, when he was serving as parish priest at Milagres Church. He was a devout Catholic priest who inspired several people to embrace Christianity owing to his personal charisma.
People of all faiths throng his mausoleum in the church complex and a few even take away pinches of soil from his grave believing that it has miraculous healing powers.
The locals have legendary tales on Frad Saib who used to visit their household in the evenings, to recite family rosary. The parishioners continue to observe Frad Saib’s Day on December 11, every year, in recognition of his selfless service here.