Mangalore : 5-day ‘Mega Bible Exhibition’ from Dec 30 

Media Release by Fr Francis Rodrigues, Raknno

Mangalore, Dec 18: As a spiritual crown to the year long (2009-2010) celebrations of the ‘Year of Convention of the Faithful’ in the Diocese of Mangalore, a 5 day ‘Mega Bible Exhibition’ would be held in Mangalore.

The year of the convention of the Faithful is a celebration of the faith of the Catholic Christians of the Diocese of Mangalore after the celebrations held in the past years on Karnataka, national and Asian levels. The Mangalore Diocesan Convention was launched on 4th of Jan 2009. Throughout the year each month was dedicated to a different category of people with related themes. The year long celebrations of the Faith would be concluded in a befitting manner on the 3rd of Jan 2010 with the Diocesan Eucharistic procession.

As a crown to the conclusion a ‘Mega Bible Exhibition’ would be held from 30th December 2009 till 3rd Jan 2010 (Wednesday to Saturday from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.; on Sunday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.) in Milagres Junior College Campus, Mangalore. ‘BIBLE IN MY HAND, BIBLE IN MY HEART’ is the motto of the whole exhibition.

Novelties and specialities in the exhibition:

• Bibles of more than 250 versions of more than 50 languages will be exhibited. 
• The Smallest Bible.
• Mega Bible Map displaying different Bible places on 400 square feet extension.
• Black mud of the dead sea, fruits from the sycamore tree climbed by Zacchaeus and other articles from the Holy Land.
• Live show of cribs and 25 Bible women like Sara, Ruth etc.
• Biblical information through more than 500 wall-pictures and thermo coal designs.
• Bible puppet shows, dances, band, songs, acting and skits.
• More than 50 colourful comic titles on Biblical personalities and events.
• Bible films, documentaries, slides, clippings and power point presentations on jumbo LCD.
• Creation, parables, miracles, transfiguration, death and resurrection of Jesus through shadow plays, animations, mobile pictures and sound and light effects.
• Kings, prophets, parables, miracles, teachings and mysteries through artistic presentations.
• Mega Bible tree and Christmas tree.
• Popular Bible quotations on hundreds of colourful posters and placards.
• Things of old and new testaments, Biblical dress, vessels and traditions.
• Interesting Bible competitions and quizzes to the audience with instant prizes.
• Biblical art works by artists of national fame like Jyothi Sahi, Philip D’Mello, Peter Lewis etc.
• Biblical artworks by children of different parishes.
• Biblical entertainment by different troops.
• Background, history, answers and technical-geographical information on hundreds of questions like ‘Why the dead sea doesn’t flow?’ etc.
• Watching Bible on digital technology and internet.
• Stalls and counters with Biblical magazines, books, pictures, charts, C.D’s, cassettes, T-shirts, key chains, badges, caps and religious articles.
• More than 300 volunteers.
• Snacks, soft drinks and meals at subsidized rates.
• Vast parking facility at Milagres Church ground.
• Information and health counters.

On the colourful Bible stage:

• Colourful Bible procession and inauguration by the Bishop of Mangalore on 30th December 2009, Wednesday at 10 a.m.
• Bible entertainment by different YCS units on 30th December 2009, Wednesday at 6.30 p.m.
• Talents Show on 1st January 2010, Friday at 4.30 p.m.
• Variety entertainment by different parishes and institutions on 2nd January 2010, Saturday at 6.30 p.m.

Bible Information:

The very first book that was printed in the world is ‘BIBLE’. Johannes Gutenberg  became the first printer of the Bible in the year 1454 in Mainz, Germany.

The book that is translated into maximum number of languages in the world is BIBLE. Till to date this is translated into 2018 languages and in many of the languages it has been printed in different versions.

The book that is read by the maximum number of people in the world, sold or distributed in maximum number is BIBLE

Louis Waynai from  Los Angeles has prepared the biggest BIBLE of the world in the year 1930 in 8700 hours (363 days). When opened, it is 43.5 inches long and 98 inches wide; when closed, it is 34 inches thick. It has 8,048 pages and has weight of 1094 pounds.

The organizers of Bible exhibition:

Director: Most Rev. Dr Aloysius Paul D’Souza, Bishop of Mangalore.

Convener: Fr Basil Vas

Campus Convener: Fr Lawrence D’Souza

Stall exhibitors: Apostolic Carmel, Ursulines, Charity, Bethany, SRA, Roshani Nilaya and Pauline Congregations of religious women; Capuchins, Carmelites, Jesuits, Dominicans and Diocesan priests, ICYM, YCS, DCCW, AICUF, Jesus Youth, Mangala Jyothi, Canara Communication Centre, Jeppu Seminary, Milagres Junior College, Padua Junior College, Fr Muller’s Hospital, Raknno, Pietro, Orchid Art Gallery etc. Many other lay and religious units have joined hands.

Presence of the Faithful is the success of the exhibition:

This event would be the exclusive and first of its kind to take place in Mangalore. The success of the said exhibition would be the number of people who would be visiting the exhibition with the intention of becoming better knowledgeable about the BIBLE - the word of God. For St Jerome, the Bible Saint had said: ‘One who is ignorant of the Bible is ignorant of Christ’. Accepting his message positively let us witness the exhibition and reap spiritual fruits from the same. In spite of the fact that this presentation incurs  colossal expenditure the entry is free. If we act positively in this regard BIBLE WILL REALLY SHINE IN OUR HANDS AND HEARTS.