Attur-Karkala: Bishop of Shivmogga Most Rev. Dr. Francis Serrao offers solemn Vespers Mass
By Dr. Eugene DSouza, Moodubelle
Bellevision Media Network
Karkala, 27 Jan 2015: As it is said, during the last week of January all the roads lead to the Shrine of St. Lawrence at Attur-Karkala as devotees of St. Lawrence make a bee-line to his shrine to thank him for all the favours that they have received from him during their life time in general or to seek favours as the devotees have a strong belief that they would definitely get those favours that they intend to seek through the intercession of St. Lawrence.
The annual pilgrimage associated with the festivities of the shrine had started since Sunday, 25 January 2015. According to a report, on Monday, 26 January 2015 which happened to be holiday on account of the Republic Day, the pilgrims thronged the shrine in large numbers. There was unprecedented crowd that swarmed the shrine and the surrounding space.
There have been masses at regular intervals since Sunday in Konkani, Kannada and Malayalam. Each of these masses have been well attended by the devotees coming from different parts of Dakshina Kannada and Udupi Districts as well as from neighbouring districts of Chikmagalur and Shivmogga.
The solemn Vespers Mass was offered in Kannada by Bishop of Shivmogga Most Rev. Dr. Francis Serrao as the chief celebrant along with the Bishop of Udupi, Most Rev. Dr. Gerald Isaac Lobo and other priests.
In his homily, Bishop Francis Serrao dwelt on the theme of this years feast of the shrine, ”Dedicated Christian Life”. He emphasized on three aspects of Christian life, that is, one should deny himself or herself, Carry one’s own Cross and follow Christ. He narrated with various examples how one can live a dedicated Christian life. Further the Bishop said that there are three kinds of donors-donors of things, donors of body organs and givers of life. He said that Christ sacrificed his life on the Cross to give life to humankind. The Bishop highlighted the significance of the Cross. Usually when one sees the Cross or thinks of the Cross, the thoughts of suffering and death occupies his or her mind. However, by sacrificing himself on the Cross, Jesus manifested love to mankind. Hence, the symbol of Cross is the symbol of love. The early Christians when they were persecuted and even killed by the Roman Emperors underwent the torture and death with joy and happiness as for them martyrdom for Christ was not the end but the beginning of a new life. St. Lawrence through his life and martyrdom amply proved what it meant to follow Christ and die for Him.
At the end of the solemn Vespers Mass, Bishop of Shivmogga. Most Rev. Dr. Francis Serrao was felicitated by Bishop of Udupi Most Rev. Dr. Gerald Isaac Lobo by offering him shawl whilee the Rector of the Shrine Fr. George D’Souza presented him a bouquet of flowers.
The Church as well as the pandals in front of the Shrine and sideways were filled to capacity. Those devotees who could not get a seat within the church could watch and participate in the proceedings within the church by viewing two giant close circuit screens. A large number of families coming from faraway places were seen spreading bed-sheets so that they could spend the night under the pandal and fulfill their pilgrimage.
There was excellent arrangement for distribution of Communion and blessing of the people by the priests keeping their hands on the heads of the devotees. In the same way the devotees follow the queue system to pay respect to the relic of St. Lawrence and the Miraculous image of the saint. Thereafter, the devotees enter the old church, pray there and proceed to other places on the left side of the shrine where the devotees burn candles in front of the statue of St. Lawrence and eventually pay a visit to the miraculous pond named “Pushkarini”. Fr. Chetan (OFM Cap) has been doing announcements within the church at the beginning of the masses as well as just before the Holy Communion and end of the mass.
The church, belfry and the slope of the hill on the left side of the shrine have been illuminated with colourful lights.
Under the able leadership of Fr. George D’Souza, Parish Priest of the Shrine for the convenience of the pilgrims a number of facilities have been provided. Besides new toilet blocks, pandals at different places where the pilgrims are required queue up have been provided. An inquiry counter, police force and volunteers help in conducting all the activities associated with the festivities at the shrine.