Karkala: Vatican authorities to award Minor Basilica status to St Lawrence Shrine on Aug 1

- Media Release

Karkala, 17 Jul 2016: The sanctity of St Lawrence pilgrimage shrine located in the picturesque Attur, near here since 1759 beckons the faithful from wide section of society has reached the cradle of Christianity at Vatican authorities.

 

Pope Francis issued a decree to upgrade the shrine to the status of Minor Basilica that will become the second in Karnataka after St Mary’s Basilica in Shivajinagar, Bengaluru. It is being governed by Udupi diocese.  

 

There are 2 categories of Basilicas, major Basilicas and minor Basilicas in the world. All the four major Basilicas of the world are in Rome, Italy, they are St Peter, St John Lateran, St Paul and St Mary Major. All are located a few miles from each other in Vatican State, a smallest nation in the world. The residence of Pope and other offices are located in the campus of St Peter Basilica.

 

The status of Minor Basilica is awarded to a church as per Vatican authority that meets its criteria. A church that is elevated to Minor Basilica entitles the privilege of hoisting the flag of Basilica and use the logo – crossed key of Pope during the religious celebrations. The priests are privileged to use robes that are specially adorned to the status of Minor Basilica, while celebrating Eucharistic Celebrations.  

 

As per the recent info, there are 1,750 Minor Basilicas in the world, out of which 570 are in Italy, 171 in France, 143 in Poland, 119 in Spain, 82 in America. There is one Minor Basilica in communist-ruled China, 8 in Israel and 1 in Palestine. In a tiny nation of Malta there are 8 Minor Basilicas.  

 

India ranks first in Asia to have 22 Minor Basilicas. The second place goes to Philippines with 13 Minor Basilicas. Bom Jesus Basilica of Goa, Mount Mary Minor Baasilica of Mumbai, Our Lady of Vailankani Minor Basilica and Poondi Minor Basilica in Tanjavoor are located in south India thronged by the devotees from different communities. St Lawrence Minor Basilica will be 22nd in India. The Minor Basilica in Shivajinagar, Bengaluru was the lone Minor Basilica established in 1973 in Karnataka so far. 

 

In order to qualify for Minor Basilica, the churches got to fulfill a certain criteria. They will have to become renowned worship centers and need to be spacious located in a picturesque surrounding. They should be artistic and have a long history. They may have relics of saints and emerges a prominent pilgrimage shrine.

 

It’s a long process to get the status of Minor Basilica, while the proposal of St Lawrence pilgrimage shrine in Attur, near here was forwarded through Vatican ambassador to India -  Fr Salvatore Pennakkio was approved by Vatican authorities within one-and-a-half month. It was a miracle indeed as the shrine is revered by the faithful from all over the world.

 

The Minor Basilica has special privileges. It has to give priority for confessions and other rituals by having sufficient numbers of priests as confessors. It has to be significant religious worship center thronged by faithful from length and breadth of the country. It also needs more priests, established choir and musicians to celebrate Holy Masses ceremoniously. It has to be artistic to convey its historical significance. St Lawrence shrine at Attur fulfills all the criteria.

 

The series of sermons and fasting, penance needs to be the order of the day in Minor Basilicas. All the religious celebrations throughout the year ought to be celebrated with pomp and gaiety. The daily Holy Masses, early morning and evening prayers got to be attended by the faithful. Separate days should be earmarked for the faithful who pray at the Basilica to get indulgences.

 

St Lawrence pilgrimage shrine in Attur is renowned for annual feast that will be held in the last week of January every year.  It’s being flocked by faithful regardless of caste, creed and faith from all over the country. It deserves the privilege of Minor Basilica in true sense.   

 

Vatican authorities will announce St Lawrence shrine as full-pledged Minor Basilica here on Monday August 01, 2016. The preparations are underway for this mega event that will be attended by 4 cardinals, bishops, clergies, and hundreds and thousands of faithful. It will be the day written in golden letters in the annuls of Karnataka’s history.

 

The Eucharistic Celebration will begin at the Shrine on Monday at 10.00am followed by stage programme at 11.45am. The fellowship meal will be served to the gathering beginning from1.00pm.

 

Karnataka state fisheries, sports and youth empowerment minister and Udupi district-in-charge minister Pramod Madwaraj, Karnataka forests minister B Ramanath Tai, Karkala MLA Sunil Kumar, MP Shobha Karandlaje, Rajya Sabha member Oscar Fernandes, former minster Vinay Kumar Sorake, MLA J R Lobo, MLC Ivan D’Souza, Karkala former MLA Gopal Bhandary will be attending the stage programme. Over 10,000 people are expected to attend the religious celebrations, said St Lawrence Basilica celebration Committee convener Lawrence C D’Souza.