Karkal Attur: The Annual Feast of St Lawrence at the Basilica dedicated to his honour at Karkal Attur began with great pomp and solemnity. The festivities commenced with a solemn procession, during which the miraculous statue of St Lawrence was taken from its original place to the place of veneration. Rev. Fr. Alban D’Souza, Rector of the Basilica, led the prayers during the procession.
The first festal Mass was celebrated at 7.30 a.m. by Rev. Fr. Robin Santhumayor, Assistant Parish Priest of the Basilica of Karkal Attur. This was followed by the flag-hoisting ceremony conducted by Most Rev. Dr Gerald Isaac Lobo, Bishop of Udupi. Santhosh D’Silva, Vice-President of the Parish Pastoral Council, welcomed the gathering, while Ronald Noronha, the Secretary, proposed the vote of thanks. The designate Vice-President and Secretary, Vandish Mathias and Melwyn Castelino respectively, were also present on the occasion.
Following the flag-hoisting ceremony, Bishop Gerald Isaac Lobo released a new book published by Divya Jyothi, the Commission for Liturgy, containing day-to-day prayers printed in three scripts. He also symbolically released a new video dramatizing the parable of the Good Samaritan, prepared by Rev. Fr. Clement Mascarenhas, Parish Priest of Karkal Town Parish.
The Bishop then celebrated the first festive High Mass, concelebrated by several priests. In his homily, he emphasized the importance of reading the Sacred Scriptures and redefining one’s life in the light of God’s Word, especially as the day was observed as the Sunday of the Word of God.
The evening High Concelebrated Mass was celebrated by Most Rev. Dr Aloysius Paul D’Souza, Bishop Emeritus of Mangalore. Thousands of devotees thronged the Basilica to seek the blessings of their favorite saint and to thank him for the many favors received.
The other festal Masses were celebrated by Rev. Fr. Rajesh D’Souza, Rector of Jeppu Seminary; Rev. Fr. Dancy Martis, OFM Cap, Principal of Basrur Central School; Rev. Fr. Franklin D’Souza from the Diocese of Shimoga; Rev. Fr. Chetan Lobo, OFM Cap, Director of Assisi Press; Rev. Fr. Stephen D’Souza, Chancellor of the Diocese of Udupi; and Rev. Fr. Alwyn Sequeira, OCD, Editor of Uzvaad Magazine.
As tomorrow is Republic Day, a large gathering of devotees is expected to attend the festive celebrations. The main Festive Mass will be celebrated in the Kannada language at 5.00 p.m. by Most Rev. Dr Duming Dias, Bishop of Karwar.