Udupi: Devotion and discipline marks the solemnity of Diocesan Eucharistic celebration and processi

By Dr. Eugene DSouza, Moodubelle
Bellevision Media Network

Udupi, 23 Nov 2014: On the occasion of the Feast of Christ the King on Sunday, 23 November 2014, the solemn Eucharistic celebration and Diocesan Eucharistic Procession was held in the Mother of Sorrows Church, Udupi from 4.30 pm to 7.45pm. Around 4,000 Catholics representing 48 parishes of the diocese along with priests and religious participated with great devotion and exemplary discipline in the solemn Mass followed by Eucharistic Procession.

 

The Eucharistic Mass was celebrated by the Bishop of Udupi Diocese Most Rev. Dr. Gerald Isaac Lobo along with Msgr. Baptist Menezes, Vicar General of the Udupi Diocese and Rev. Fr. Fred Mascarenhas, Dean of Udupi Varado and Parish Priest of Mother of Sorrows Church. besides these, Rev. Fr. Valerian Mendonca, Chancellor of Udupi Diocese, Rev. Fr. Stany Tauro of Shriva Deanery, Rev. Fr. Anil D’Souza of Kundapur Deanery, Rev. Fr John Barboza of Karkala Deanery and Fr Stany B Lobo of Kallianpur Deanery and many priests from different parishes were present.

 

In his homily, Most Rev. Dr. Gerald Isaac Lobo highlighted the importance of the Feast of Christ the King and pointed out the humane qualities that manifested by Christ the King. The Bishop said that unlike the great rulers in history, Christ was the King of love, peace, forgiveness  and service. Quoting the Gospels, the Bishop related these qualities in the life of Jesus.

 

Following the end of the solemn Mass and prior to the commencement of the Diocesan Eucharistic Procession, the Holy Sacrament was mounted on the altar and brief adoration service was conducted by Rev. Msgr. Baptist Menezes with the theme of “Jesus stay with us”.

 

The grand Diocesan Eucharistic  procession began at 6pm from the compound of Mother of Sorrows Church that passed through Kittur Chennamma Road towards Ajjarakad Garden and onwards to Jodukatte, Big Bazar, Old Taluk Office, Diana Circle and back to the church compound. The Bishop carried the Blessed sacrament on a boat-like decorated float. The people  carried lighted candles along with them and with the help of choir sang hymns throughout the two kilometre procession route. There was exemplary discipline among the people during the solemn mass, procession and even afterwards till they dispersed. Brass band was right at the beginning of the procession playing tunes based on hymns. The peeling of the church bell, firecrackers and canopy holdres in their traditional dress added to the grandeur  and solemnity of the procession.

 

 

After the procession that took nearly one and a half hour to complete, people reassembled in the church compound  in their respective seats. Following a brief homily by Rev. Fr. Sunil Viegas-Parish priest of Tallur, the Bishop conferred the Eucharistic blessing on the faithful.

 

Rev. Fr. Fred Mascarenhas thanked all those who had helped in conducting the solemn Eucharistic celebration and procession which is also part of the Confraternity Sunday in view of the Parish Feast of Mother of Sorrows Church which will be celebrated on coming Tuesday and Wednesday. The Bishop handed over ‘Candles of Honour’ to some of the sponsors of the day.

 

Rev. Fr. Vincent Crasta, Parish priest of Nakre and Director of Pontifical Commission announced the first three positions of the parishes of the diocese in respect of the Mission Sunday collection. In the category of the highest amount collected for Mission Sunday, Mother of Sorrows Church Udupi secured the first position; St. Lawrence Shrine Church, second position and St. Lawrence Parish Moodubelle, third position. Rev. Frs. Fred Mascarenhas, Rev. Fr. George D’Souza and Rev. Fr. Joswey Fernandes respectively  received the honours from the Bishop. In the category of highest per head collection, Nakre Parish was placed in the first position, followed by Mother of Sorrows Church, Udupi and Hirgan Parish.

 

The Bishop profusely thanked all those who were responsible for organizing the solemn Eucharistic celebration and the Diocesan Procession. The entire responsibility for  over all organization was taken by Rev. Fr. Fred Mascarenhas and Rev. Fr. Stephen D’Souza. The choir was trained and conducted by Rev. Fr. Clement Mascarenhas and Dolphy Mascarenhas. The main altar was elegantly decorated by the Sisters of Rosa Mystica Convent Kallianpur and Cecily Convent Udupi. The beautiful float was prepared under the direction of Rev. Fr. William Martis and Rev. Fr. Clement Mascarenhas. The volunteers were trained by Prof. Vincent Alva and the entire programme was excellently anchored by Rev. Fr. Denis D’Sa, PRO of Udupi Diocese. Boniface D’Souza and Gracian Bothello, the Vice President and Secretary of the Parish Pastoral Council along with the council members and parish volunteers had made  excellent seating arrangements.

 

At the end of the programme, snacks and soft drinks were distributed to the people in their seats by the young and enthusiastic ICYM and YCS volunteers.