BY Stephen Alwyn Pereira OCD
 
Kundapur, Jan 23: The 12th annual feast of Infant Jesus was celebrated with great devotion at Carmel Ashram, Koteshwar, Kundapur on Thursday January 21.

Devotees gathered in large number irrespective of caste and creed to seek the blessing of Infant Jesus. The solemn Eucharistic celebration was presided over by Fr Denis Prabhu, the vicar general of Mangalore diocese. It was concelebrated by 30 priests.

Rev Dr John Sequeira, director of Ryshivana, Ranipura in his homily elaborated the qualities of Jesus. “We are all priests through our baptism and ‘The year of the priests’ calls us to live the three-fold dimension of our priesthood i.e, priestly, kingly and prophetic in our daily life,” he said.

Fr Denis Prabhu lauded the selfless service rendered by the Carmelite Ashram in Udupi and Kundapur region. Fr Boniface D’Souza, superior, Carmelite community, Koteshwar thanked the sponsors and all the devotees who had gathered in large number.

During the Tridum (three days of Novena) which preceded the festivities, Fr Stephen Pereira, the co-editor of Naman Ballok Jesu catechized the devotees on various themes of priesthood.

It is said that 12 years ago, the Carmelites established themselves at Katkere, Koteshwar and saw the seed of the devotion to Infant Jesus. Through their pastoral ministry, counselling and spiritual direction they have been working day and night to reach out to the spiritual needs of the Christian faithful.