Karkala: Four Bishops along with priests concelebrate the solemn feast mass at St. Lawrence Shrine

By Dr. Eugene DSouza, Moodubelle
Bellevision Media Network

Attur-Karkala, 28 Jan 2015: The high point in the five days long festive and pilgrimage season at St. Lawrence Shrine, Attur-Karkala was the concelebration of the solemn festal mass by four Bishops along with other priests on Wednesday, 28 January 2015 at 10.30 am. Bishop of Mangalore, Most Rev. Dr. Aloysius P. D’Souza was the chief celebrant. Other three Bishops were Most Rev. Dr. Gerald Isaac Lobo, Bishop of Udupi, Most Rev. Dr. Antony Fernades, Retired Bishop from Bareilly Diocese (UP) and Most Rev. Dr. Pius D’Souza, Bishop of Ajmer (Rajasthan). Vicar General of Udupi Diocese Msgr. Baptist Menezes, Rector of St. Lawrence Shrine Fr. George D’Souza, Fr. Denis D’Sa, PRO of Udupi Diocese, Dean of Karkala Varado, Fr. Barboza and other priests participated in the solemn festal mass.

 

Prior to the solemn mass, the Bishops and priest came in procession accompanied by the brass band through the main entrance of the church. The church was filled to capacity and many devotees had to occupy the galleries and also lawns in front of the church as well as the sideways where they could watch the proceedings in the church through the CCTV.

 

Delivering the homily, Bishop Aloysius P. D’Souza said that Pope Francis has announced  year 2015 to be a year dedicated to the promotion of consecrated life especially that of the religious men and women. He further said that through their dedicated service, these religious men and women are doing good work for the church, hence we must think and speak well of them. Indirectly,  the Pope also made an appeal to build consecrated and dedicated families where religious vocations could be promoted. Speaking about the contribution of Mangalore and Udupi Dioceses collectively, Bishop Aloysius said that   these to dioceses have contributed 46 Bishops so far and thousands of religious men and women who have been serving the church and society in different parts of India and world at large.

 

Emphasizing on the need to promote consecrated family life, the Bishop made an appeal to the parents to provide good example of prayer, reciting Rosary, reading of the Bible and coming to the help of the poor and marginalized. As the modern world has made progress in terms of education, economic progress and increased social status, certain basic aspects such as faith, prayers, love of God and respect and affection for the elders has taken a back seat. The Bishop made an appeal to the pilgrims to follow the path of St. Lawrence in manifesting the consecrated Christian life.

 

 

At the end of the mass, the Rector of the Shrine, Fr. George D’Souza expressed gratitude to all those who had helped in organizing the five days long  festive season at the shrine. He said that altogether 6 Bishops and 36 priests have offered masses on different days and hundreds of other priests have been assisting in administering the sacrament of Reconciliation, distribution of Communion and blessing of the devotees by placing their hands over their heads. A number of deacons from both the dioceses were also at service at the shrine. 

 

Bishop Gerald Isaac Lobo and Fr. George D’Souza felicitated the other three Bishops who had concelebrated the festal mass. 

 

Following the prayer for the sick and final blessing, priests and deacons prayed by placing their hands on the heads of individual devotee. 

 

The entire surrounding of St. Lawrence Shrine has come alive during these five festive days. Various stalls with religious articles, religious and diocesan journals and publications have been attracting a number of pilgrims. Besides these, a number of stalls catering to the different tastes of the visitors were found outside the shrine compound. 

 

There has been utmost discipline among the pilgrims throughout the festive season. People were seen patiently waiting in the long lines to pay respect to the saint. A large number of pilgrims were seen registering thanksgiving and intention masses or masses for the departed souls in the family.