Karkala: Attur Feast of St Lawrence begins

By Fr Francis Rodrigues
Rakno

Karkala, 25 January 2011: The three day feast of the Shrine of St Lawrence in Attur- Karkal began today 25th of January, Tuesday with the first Mass at 9.30 a.m. that was celebrated by Msgr Denis Moras Prabhu, the Vicar General of the Diocese of Mangalore. Rev. Fr Arthur Pereira the Shrine director welcomed the Vicar General.

 

Number of devotees from different corners of Karnataka and neighbouring states have come into the Shrine and partook in the Holy Masses with great devotion. After every Mass there was a special prayer for the sick in Konkanni and Kannada. Number of priests laid hands on the devotees and prayed for health and happiness. The visitors devoutly visited the relic of St Lawrence, confessed their sins, visited the pool at the shrine and received flowers and holy water in the shrine.

 

There were Masses at 11.30 a.m., 1.30 p.m., 3.00 p.m., 4.30 p.m. today. Most Rev. Dr Robert Miranda the Bishop of Gulbarga would be celebrating the special Mass in Kannada at 8.00 p.m. today. All together there are 29 Masses during the festival this year. The main festal Mass on Wednesday, 26th would be celebrated by Most Rev. Dr Aloysius Paul D’Souza the Bishop of Mangalore. On Thursday, the 27th the festival Mass of ‘Giyad Mai’ would be celebrated by Very Rev. Fr Gregory Serrao the Provincial of Karnataka Jesuit Province.

 

 

 

 

Yesterday, 24th of January, there was a special Mass for the sick and special prayers for the sick offered by Fr Basil Vas of Holy Rosary Church and Infant Jesus Shrine of Alangar.

 

Fr Arthur Pereira the Shrine director says that devotees come in lakhs to this Shrine with different reasons. To be cured of the mental-physical sicknesses, to experience the quietness of prayer, to experience the peace amidst the number tensions of life, to thank the Lord for the favours received, to receive the blessings form God etc and etc.

 

Number of arrangements have been made systematically to cater to the needs of the devotees. The Director, local punchayath administration, police and administrative services, Attur parishioners, Karkala Deanery Catholic Sabha, diocesan as well as religious priests, sisters and lay leaders have joined hands to make the festival a great success.