Karkala: Archbishop Bernard Moras Concelebrates Vespers Service at St Lawrence Basilica

Bellevision Media Network

Karkala, 25 Jan 2017: Vespers Service on the eve the annual feast of St Lawrence Basilica, Attur, near here, the first after the proclamation of the shrine as Minor Basilica was celebrated by Archbishop of Bengaluru Dr Bernard Moras along with the Bishop of Udupi Dr Gerald Isaac Lobo, Basilica rector Fr George D’Souza, Kundapura deanery vicar Fr Anil D’Souza, Attur assistant parish priest Fr Vijay D’Souza and other clergies, here on Tuesday, January 24.

 

Archbishop Dr Bernard in his homily in Kannada, themed Be my Witnesses of this annual feast of Basilica, said that Jesus Christ came to this world to spread the good news. Before his ascension into heaven, Jesus Christ gave power to his apostles to continue His work of spreading the Good News across the globe. Many apostles went from Jerusalem to different parts to preach the Good News and many of them had to pay with their life due to persecution. During the early years of Christianity many followers of Christ were martyred including St Lawrence in whose honor the annual feast is being celebrated. St Lawrence spent his life in serving the church and the poor for which he was persecuted and eventually martyred.

 

 

 

Those early martyrs and even later martyrs became witnesses to Christ by shedding their blood for their beliefs and faith in Jesus Christ and for spreading His Good News. He further said that it is not only the duty of the priests, religious and nuns to spread the Good News of Jesus Christ but the duty of all those who have been baptized in the name of Jesus.  While doing so, the faithful have to face many obstacles and even persecution and death.    Archbishop Moras cited the example of Fr Graham Stane, the Australian Missionary working in Kandhamal, Orissa and his two sons who were burnt alive by fanatics. But his wife Gladys Stane, by following the way shown by Jesus forgave those who were responsible for the death of her husband and two sons.

 

Driving home the responsibilities of Christian families, Archbishop Dr Bernard said that the families are on the verge of cracking up due to various reasons. While the parents have no time for their children, the youngsters have been developing a tendency of increasingly indulging on modern technologies and social media to foster their relationship. There is a strong need to strengthen the family bond through regular prayers and reading Holy Scriptures.

 

Archbishop Dr Bernard Moras lamented on the fact that there has been increasing criticism of Christians that they indulge in conversion. These are mere rumors and far from true. Christians and their institutions have been rendering service to all irrespective of their religion or caste in the fields of education, health, communication and social service.  Referring to the observation of one of the IAS officers, Archbishop Dr Bernard said that the officer in one of his interviews said that he had not come across any conversion activities by the Christians but only service activities.

 

 

The Superintendent of Police of Udupi district K T Balakrishna visited St Lawrence Basilica in the evening. Karnataka state youth affairs, fisheries and Udupi district-in-charge minister Pramod Madhwaraj and Karkala former MLA Gopal Bhandary were expected to pay a visit to the Basilica later in the night.

 

The devotees regardless of faith, creed and caste of St Lawrence have been making their way to the Basilica to pay their homage to the ‘Saint of Miracles’ for the favors that they had received so far or to place their problems and afflictions for the saint to intercede. They burn the candles, make offerings, pay respect to the relic of the saint and even visit the ‘miracle pond’ Pushkarini.