Pics: Richard D’Souza, Kallianpur
Daijiworld Media Network – Udupi
Udupi, Jan 20: Our Lady of Miracles Cathedral, Udupi diocese celebrated its annual feast with traditional aplomb on Wednesday, January 19.
After the distribution of candles to sponsors by the rector of the cathedral Fr Valerian Mendonca, the Solemn Eucharistic celebrations were presided over by Fr Fred Mascarenhas. He concelebrated the solemn mass along with deanery priest, parish priest and a guest priest.
In his homily, Fr. Fred Mascarenhas said that even after 340 years, the faith on Our Lady of Milagres is still alive and so also on Mother Mary. “Our Lady of Miracles is a strong shelter of our life. Mother Mary is the perfect icon of faith and model of faith,” he added.
“The families should follow the life of Mary. Through Mother Mary we will build our family. We should live with the love of Jesus for a better life. Mother Mary is pre-eminently faithful to her Lord and her Son. Mother Mary is a role model for a good, spiritual family as well. Pope Francis during his speech on January 5 said that the families should love pets as much as their own children. Let us turn to Mary and ask her to help us live with faith in our families and to recognize Christ in our family life,” he said.
The choir enhanced the solemnity of annual parish feast Mass with melodious hymns.
Fr Valerian Mendonca, rector of the cathedral, conveyed annual feast greetings to all the parishioners and expressed gratitude to Fr. Fred Mascarenhas for concelebrating the solemn mass and delivering a meaningful homily. He expressed gratitude to Fr Joy Andrade, assistant parish priest, convent nuns, choir team, seven educational institution heads, parish pastoral council vice president, secretary, pastoral commission coordinator, parish pastoral council members and all the concerned. Fr Fred Mascarenhas distributed decorated candles to the main sponsors of the annual feast.
Prior to the annual feast vespers was held on Tuesday, January 18 with devotion. The Vespers evening began with the prayers, Holy Rosary led by Rosy Baretto, followed by blessing of beautifully decorated “Cheryl” by the main celebrant of Vespers, Fr Cyril Lobo, assistant parish priest of St Lawrence Church, Moodubelle.
The evening vespers’ prayer led by Fr. Cyril Lobo along with a large number of priests including Fr Stany B Lobo, chancellor of Udupi diocese, Fr Valerian Mendonca, rector of Milagres Cathedral, Fr. Joswey Fernandes, dean of Karkala Deanery, Fr Charles Menezes, dean of Udupi Deanery, Fr Stany Tauro, dean of Kundapur Deanery, Fr Lawrence D’Souza, former rector of Milagres Cathedral, Fr Basil Vaz, former assistant parish priest of Milagres, parishioner priests and deanery priests were present.
In his beautiful homily, Fr. Cyril Lobo pointed out that the obedience of Mother Mary and advised that all emulate her. The Adoration prayers were led by Fr. Cyril Lobo.
The vesper prayers concluded with vote of thanks by Fr. Valerian Mendonca. Vesper evening this year was held in a low- key manner due to Covid-19 pandemic restrictions by the government. There were no stalls and shops allowed inside the cathedral campus except ICYM stalls of the parish. The faithful gathered in large numbers but much less than pre-Covid days. The people took suitable precautions.