Udupi/M’Belle: Feast of St. Francis Assisi celebrated at Assisi Nilaya Minor Seminary

By Eugene DSouza
Bellevision Media Network

Udupi/M’Belle, 12 oct 2014: The feast of St. Francis Assisi was celebrated with solemnity at Assisi Nilaya Minor Seminary, Naalkudeedhi, Kattingeri on Saturday, 11 October 2014 at 6.30 pm. Rev. Fr. Denis D’Sa, PRO of Udupi Diocese and Parish Priest of St. Antony’s Church, Kuntalnagar was the chief celebrant along with other Capuchin and diocesan priests from the Udupi Deanery.

 

Rev. Fr. Denis D’Sa in his homily said that ‘no one is an island’ and as such every individual right from his birth has to build relationship with other human beings beginning with the parents, siblings and neighbours and other human beings with whom the individual would come in contact. He further said that it is through prayers that an individual relates himself to God. Furthermore an individual also has intimate relationship with the environment, the fact that was emphasised by St. Francis of Assisi in the twelfth century.

 

Highlighting the noble qualities of St. Francis Assisi, Rev. Fr. Denis D’Sa said that by keeping a close relation with God, St. Francis of Assisi freed himself from 5 Ps, namely, Pleasure, Power, Prestige, Pride and Position and embraced other 5 Ps, namely, Poverty, Prayer, Penance, Preaching & Practice and Perseverance.

 

 

The solemn feast mass was animated by Minor Seminarians and members of the Tertiary Franciscan Order. The choir of the Minor Seminarians was trained and  led by Rev. Fr. Anil Sunil (OFM Cap), Director of the Minor Seminary.

 

Rev. Fr. Robert Lasrado(OFM Cap), Superior of the Assisi Nilaya expressed gratitude to all the benefactors, supporters and well-wishers of Assisi Nilaya.

 

Rev. Fr. Roshan D’Souza, Assistant Parish priest of Moodubelle recited grace before the meal.

 

Rev. Fr. Fred Mascarenhas, Dean of Udupi Deanery, Rev. Fr. Chetan (OFM Cap)-Editor of ‘Uzvaad’, Rev. Fr. Joswey Fernandes, Parish Priest of Moodubelle, Rev. Fr. Paul Sequeira-Principal of St. Lawrence PU College and other priests, sisters and invitees  were present  for the feast.

 

The brothers of Assisi Nilaya had elegantly prepared the premises for the feast with colour paper buntings and balloons. However, the incessant rains mingled with lightning and thunder dampened the atmosphere but not the spirit of the priests, minor seminarians and the invitees. The entire festive programme was conducted with appropriate solemnity and devotion

 

There are four priests-Rev. Fr. Robert Lasrado, Rev. Fr. Anil Sunil, Rev. Fr. Valerian D’Silva and Rev. Fr. Prakash and 32 brothers in the Assisi Nilaya Minor Seminary. The brothers are studying in the  PUC classes  at  St. Lawrence PU College, Moodubelle.