Karkala, Jan 26: The annual feast of the basilica of St. Lawrence at Attur Karkal began with a festive spirit by taking the miraculous statue of St Lawrence in solemn procession around the Church and placing it on a higher platform for public viewing.
Fr. Jitesh Castelino celebrated the first mass at 7.30 am which was followed by an hour of adoration seeking the blessings of the Lord for the safety of all pilgrims and for the success of all programs. This was followed by the hoisting of festal flag by Rt. Rev. Dr. Gerald Isaac Lobo, the Bishop of Udupi. The solemn festive mass was celebrated by him at 10:30am. At the end of the mass a Bible written in hand, a book on saints for children and a book of way of cross written by Rev. Fr. Louis D’Sa was released by Bishop. The rest of the masses were celebrated by Fr Anil Crasta, Asst. Executive Director, Caritas India, Fr Prakash Lobo, OFM, Cap, St Anne’s Friery, Fr (Dr) Praveen Joy Saldanha, St Joseph’s Seminary, Fr Ivan Dsouza, St Joseph’s Seminary, Fr Walter Dsouza, Parish Priest, Bendur, V. Rev. Fr. Roshan Dsouza, Chancellor & Judicial Vicar of Udupi Diocese. This being the Sunday of the Word of God.
The Bible was honored incensing and garlanding the same. All the priests at Mass preached very thoughtful homilies on Jubilee 2025 theme, ‘Hope does not disappoint us.’ Since it was Sunday and Republic Day of India thousands of people flocked the Shrine from early morning till late night. More than twenty priests were sitting at the confessional. Since it was jubilee year and this Shrine has been declared as one of the holy places to receive special indulgence, people irrespective of creed and colour visited the Basilica and devoutly prayed to St. Lawrence. A special prayer was offered for all Children. The last mass was celebrated at 08:00pm. Tomorrow being Monday a working day only three masses will be celebrated and during these masses special prayers will be offered for the intensions of the sick and the sufferings.