Attur: The Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary was celebrated with great devotion and reverence at St. Lawrence Basilica, Attur.
As the traditional harvest festival was also being celebrated in the coastal region on the same day, the sheaves of paddy were blessed at the entrance of the Basilica. This was followed by an attractive procession in which devotees carried the statue of the Blessed Virgin Mary along with the blessed sheaves.
Rev. Dr. Jencil Alva, Professor at St. Joseph’s Seminary, Mangaluru, officiated as the principal celebrant and offered the Holy Mass. In his message, he urged the faithful to sanctify their lives by embracing and practising the ideals and virtues of the Blessed Virgin Mary in their families and daily lives.
After the Holy Mass, payasam and sugarcane were distributed to the devotees. The programme was held under the leadership of Rev. Fr. Alban D’Souza, Director of the Basilica, and was attended by a large number of devotees.