Udupi/M’Belle: Confraternity Sunday observed with devotion and Eucharistic procession

By Eugene DSouza
Bellevision Media Network

Udupi/M’Belle, 04 Jan 2015: The traditional Confraternity Sunday prior to the annual feast was observed with devotion and grand Eucharistic procession by the parishioners of St. Lawrence Church, Moodubelle on 4 January 2015.

 

The Confraternity Sunday Mass was concelebrated by Rev. Fr. Maxim Rosario, Professor and Administrator of St. Joseph’s Seminary, Mangalore as the chief celebrant.

 

Soon after the Mass, brief adoration of the Blessed Sacrament was conducted by Rev. Fr. Maxim Rosario. Thereafter, the entire congregation took out the grand Eucharistic procession accompanied by the brass band. The  procession took the route through the road passing by the cemetery and taking the right turn at St. Lawrence PU College and again right turn at the bus stand proceeded through the main road and then entered the church premises through the main gate.

 

The Blessed Sacrament was carried by Rev. Fr. Maxim Rosario on the decorated van at the end of the procession preceded by the priests and altar servers.

 

 

The procession route was decorated with buntings and the roads were cleaned and washed by volunteers including rickshaw owners and drivers as well as some shop-keepers. Rajendra Shetty-President of Belle Grama Panchayat had helped in getting the newly laid stretch of Belle-Kattingeri  road levelled.

 

The entire procession was peaceful and disciplined as the parishioners walked in two lines as the hymns sung in the church could be heard from the loudspeakers throughout the procession route.

 

On returning to the church after the procession, Rev. Fr. Maxim Rosario in his homily interspersed with examples from the New Testament stressed on the manifestation of Jesus and transformation of those who came in touch with Him. Being the Epiphany Feast (Three Kings’ Day), Rev. Fr. Maxim Rosario explained the meaning of the feast and said that Jesus manifested Himself for the first time to the three wise-men  from the east and transformed them. Highlighting the significance of Confraternity Sunday, Rev. Fr. Maxim Rosario said that the parish community should bond together through mutual understanding, open mind and generous heart.

 

Rev. Fr. Maxim Rosario conferred the blessing of the Eucharist on the congregation with which the Confraternity Sunday service came to an end.

 

The Vespers Service will begin at 6.30 pm on Tuesday, 6 January 2015 and the solemn annual feast mass will be celebrated at 10 am on Wednesday, 7 January 2015. Candles of Honour will be distributed at 9.45 am.