Udupi/M’Belle: Feast of Our Lady of Rosary celebrated with devotion at the new Grotto
By Eugene DSouza
Bellevision Media Network
Udupi/M’Belle, 01 Nov 2014: The feast of Our Lady of Rosary was celebrated with great devotion and fervour at the newly built Grotto on the last day of the month dedicated to the devotion of Rosary on Friday, 31 October 2014 at 5 pm. The feast marked the conclusion of the month long daily recitation of Rosary in front of the Grotto. Twenty three Wards and eight parish associations led the Rosary each day of the month in the evening at the Grotto.
Preparations for the Feast of Our Lady of Rosary was made throughout the day under the guidance of Rev. Fr. Joswey Fernandes, the parish priest. While Roshan Castelino and his team fixed decorative lights on the Grotto, Stree Sanghattan members added floral decoration and placed candle lamps on the railing. A huge floral rangoli in front of the church depicting the Rosary with the statue of Mother Mary in the centre of the rangoli was prepared under the direction of Rev. Fr. P. Raj.
Being the last day of the month of October, Rosary was recited at 5 pm. The solemn feast mass began at 5.30 pm with Rev. Fr. Vincent Coelho, Principal of St. John’s PU College, Shankarpura as the chief celebrant assisted by Rev. Fr. Joswey Fernandes, Rev. Fr. Roshan D’Souza, Rev. Fr. Paul Sequeira and Rev. Fr. P. Raj.
In his homily, Rev. Fr. Vincent Coelho highlighted the importance of Rosary and prayer by citing appropriate examples. He urged the congregation to use the devotion of Rosary as the bond of family unity.
Following the end of the feast mass procession with lighted candles was organized. The procession passed through the Cross Hill and moving g through the main road returned through the main entrance. The chief celebrant, Rev. Fr. Vincent Coelho carried the statue of Our Lady of Rosary.
Rev. Fr. Joswey Fernandes, in his concluding remarks said that though the newly built Grotto of Our Lady of Lourdes was blessed and inaugurated on 8 September 2014 on the occasion of the Monti Festh, an appropriate programme could not be held due to the apprehension of rains. Hence, it was felt that a solemn feast of Our Lady of Rosary should be celebrated on the last day of October marking the end of the devotion of Rosary in front of the Grotto. Rev. Fr. Joswey Fernandes also conveyed his thanks to all the donors who had contributed to the construction of the Grotto.
At the end, snacks and soft drinks, sponsored by Valerian and Lavina Noronha on the occasion of the tenth anniversary of their wedding were served to all the participants in the feast mass.