Udupi/M’Belle: Titular Feast of St. Lawrence celebrated with devotion and fervor

By Dr. Eugene Dsouza
Pics by Alphonse Mendonsa
Bellevision Media Network

Udupi/M’Belle, 10 Aug 2016: In the background of the proclamation and dedication of St. Lawrence Minor Basilica at Attur-Karkala on 01 August 2016, the first day of the novena in honour of St. Lawrence, the titular feast of the saint was celebrated with great devotion and fervor by the parishioners of Moodubelle on Wednesday, 10 August 2016 at 10 am.

 

Prior to the commencement of the solemn feast mass  priests accompanied by the altar servers came in procession through the main door to the sound of the brass band. Br. Ivan Martis welcomed the priests and parishioners to the celebration of the Holy Eucharist. The solemn feast mass was concelebrated by 30 priests with Rev. Dr. Roque D’Souza, Parish Priest of Udyavar as the chief celebrant. The concelebrants included Fr. Fred Mascarenhas - Parish Priest of Mother of Sorrows Church, Udupi and Dean of Udupi Deanery, Fr. Stany Tauro - Parish Priest of Our Lady of Health Church, Shirva and Dean of Shirva Deanery, Dr. Lawrence D’Souza-Secretary of CESU, Fr. Valerian Mendonca - Chancellor of Udupi Diocese, Fr. Denis D’Sa-PRO of Udupi Diocese, Fr. Clement Mascarenhas-Parish Priest of Moodubelle and other priests.

 

 

Delivering homily, Fr. Roque  referred to the Proclamation and Dedication of St. Lawrence Minor Basilica and said that the feast of St. Lawrence gives us an opportunity to follow his life and understand his sacrifice as a martyr. Further he said that in the history of the church, martyrdom was accepted by saints under difficult circumstances when the church was persecuted by the enemies of the Christianity. Fr. Roque highlighted the significance of the ‘Year of Mercy’ declared by Pope Francis. He also explained the meaning of the Gospel of the day, “Sermon on the Mount”. Fr. Roque continuing his homily traced the origin and growth of the church and referred to the service and martyrdom of St. Lawrence to the Church in Rome as one of the seven Deacons.

 

During the offertory procession representatives from different wards offered various articles which would be handed over to the Diocesan Minor Seminary.

 

 

The well-trained choir rendered the hymns through melodious singing that raised the spiritual atmosphere within the church to new heights.

 

Prior to the commencement of the solemn feast mass, Fr. Clement Mascarenhas distributed candles of honour to the muddhoms of the titular feast.

 

At the end of the mass, Fr. Clement Mascarenhas expressed gratitude to the chief celebrant Rev. Dr. Roque D’Souza and all the priests who had participated in the solemn feast mass. He also extended the greetings of the feast to all parishioners. Fr. Clement complimented Fr. Lawrence Cutinha, Assistant Parish Priest for making arrangements for the solemn feast mast.

 

Special candles of honour were presented to various  sponsors by  Fr. Clement Mascarenahs.

 

Fr. Fred Mascarenhas extended greetings of the feast to the parishioners. He appreciated the melodious singing by the choir.

 

A large number of devotees were seen visiting the shrine of St. Lawrence before and after the solemn feast mass, burning candles and praying fervently in front of the shrine for the favours that they had received through the intercession of St. Lawrence.

 

Parishioners in their festive best attended the fest mass and greeted each other exchanging greetings of the feast.