Silvester D’Souza

Daijiworld Media Network - Kundapur (SP)

Kundapur, Oct 6: The Holy Rosary Church here was founded in the year 1570 AD. All the arrangements for the grand celebration of 450 years of its existence were made last year, but because of the coronavirus pandemic, the celebrations had to wait. The celebrations will now be held on Thursday October 7 afternoon in a simple manner, said parish priest Fr Stany Tauro.

Speaking at a press conference organized on Tuesday at the church, he explained that the Portuguese had arrived in Kundapur in the year 1542. Later, they established a church here. The documents of this church were found in Goa as per which this church has been confirmed to be the oldest church. St Joseph Vaz who was recently granted the status of a saint was chosen as the chief of Kundapur church and of Kundapur zone, and he was the first Indian of Konkani background to be elevated to this position. Another priest had personally seen him floating in the air when he was serving here, during the time he was meditating. This is one of the miracles to have happened in Kundapur church. Many other miracles have also happened in this church. Recently, various development works have been undertaken here and the statues of Mother Rosary and St Joseph have been installed here, he explained.

Parish council vice president, L J Fernandes, said that Kundapur church happens to be the parent church for several other churches. Several educational institutions that have imparted education to thousands of children by overlooking caste and religious affiliations are run under this church. With the purpose of ensuring that the girls here get education, space was given to the sisters who set up the Carmel group of educational institutions. People of all religions and castes come here to attain peace. People who go fishing and people on their way to routine work, bow before the church, offer flowers, pray and then proceed. That is why this church is known as 'Ammanavara church - Mother's church' he explained.

He stated that because of the presence of coronavirus infection, a simple programme will be held on October 7 instead of a grand ceremony. Udupi Bishop Dr Gerald lsaac Lobo, Shivamogga Bishop Dr Nasis Serrao SJ, and Udupi diocese vicar general Fr Baptist Menezes will be celebrating the religious rituals. Karnataka provincial superior Sr Maria Shamita, MLA Halady Srinivas Shetty and municipal president Veena Bhaskar Mendon will be present at the meeting programme, he added.

Assistant priest Fr Vijay J D'Souza, parish council secretary Asha Carvalho, convener of 20 commissions Prema D'Cunha, secretary of 450th year celebrations committee Luciana D’Souza, member Johnson Almeida, as well as souvenir committee president Bernard D'Costa, were present at the press conference.

About Holy Rosary Church

Holy Rosary Church of Kundapur is very ancient. This is the oldest church of Udupi district. This was founded by Portuguese in 1570. This church has got a rich history of 450 years. The first Holy Rosary church is in Kote Bagilu. Gradually, the place was shifted and was built at the present location.

This church is the second oldest church of undivided district of Dakshina Kannada. The first is the Rosario Cathedral of Mangaluru. That was established in 1568. There was no church in the province of Karwar before 1570, when the church at Kundapur was built. The devotion towards Our Lady of Holy Rosary in this church that was built by the Portuguese was continued by the priests that came from Goa as well as the local devotees. Earlier, the limits of this church extended far.

The first Indian to be nominated as the parish priest is Fr Joseph Vas of Kundapur. Many miracles have taken place in his name. He was given sainthood by Pope Francis in the year 2015.