Kasargod: Annual Feast of historical Bela parish celebrated with solemnity

Pics By John V Tauro
Bellevision Media Network

Kasargod, 13 Feb 2015: The annual feast of Our Lady of Dolours parish, Bela, near here was celebrated solemnly with the Eucharistic celebration on 11th February at 10.30am.

 

Fr Santhosh Rodrigues, director of Family Life Service Centre, Mangaluru was the main celebrant celebrated the festal Eucharistic celebration along with Bela parish priest Fr Vincent D’Souza and several clergies on the occasion. Deacon Praveen Joy Saldanha was also present.

 

Earlier, Fr Santosh distributed blessed candles to the donors of annual feast.

 

Thousands of devotees attended the festal Eucharistic celebration. The faithful visited the miracle statue of Mother Mary and the Bethsaida Healing Pond.

 

 

About Bela church

Our Lady of Dolours church which is popularly known as Bela church at Bela near Kumbla in Kasargod district is one of the prominent historic places in the region.

 

The church which was built in 1892 is not only a tourist destination but also is a serene prayer center for those who have faith in God.

 

Devotees and tourists visit the place as th church has already been in the world tourism map. The pre-British period church and the parochial house, which is situated near Seethangoli has its own glory to tell the visitors.

 

The story behind the origin of the church unfolds the historical background of the region and society. According to history, thousands of Konkani Catholics migrated from Goa to South Canara when Portuguese arrived. Meanwhile, a portion of the migrated Catholics settled in many parts of Kasargod district. 

 

Migrated Catholics who settled at Kudrepady near Bela village built a small church of thatched-roof and started offering prayers. Later, the church was shifted to the present location at Bela.

 

The Bela parish, which was established in 1880, earlier belonged to Ullal 0 Panil parish. Fr Pascal Mascaranhas was the first parish preist of Bela church. The second parish priest Fr John D’Souza identified the land and constructed beautiful church and it was blessed on January 10 1892.

 

The state of Mother of Sorrows, which was worshiped at Kudrepady was brought to the new church in procession and it was blessed by the first Bishop of Mangalore diocese Dr Nicholas Marla Pagani.

 

New Church

The church was renovated during the tenure of Fr Mathew in 2011. The new church which has the seating capacity of 1,000 people was designed elegantly. Fr Vincent D’Souza is at present serving in the church as parish priest. His predecessor Fr Basil Vas had taken several initiatives to develop the church.

 

 

Shrine inside cave

 A 300 meter-long cave dug near the church is another holy place, where devotees and tourists can get peace of mind and serenity.

 

The cave was dug during the period of Fr Basil Vas 3 years ago. Inside the cave there is a sepulcher. Deep inside the tunnel, one can see the model of resurrected Jesus and at the end of the cave there is a pond. The water taken from the pond is considered as holy water.

 

The entire stretch of the cave has been provided with electricity connection and the interiors have also been decorated aesthetically. Antiques and artifacts found in the region were displayed at the exit of the cave.

 

How to reach

Those who come from Mangaluru should alight at Kumbla to go to Bela. All buses on Kumbla – Badiadka route pass through Bela, which is situated about 15 kilometers away from Kumbla town.