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

By Eugene DSouza
Bellevision Media Network

Udupi/M’Belle, 10 Aug 2017: The Titular Feast of St. Lawrence was celebrated with devotion and gaiety by the parishioners of Moodubelle on Thursday, 10 August 2017. The solemn feast mass was concelebrated by the priests from different parishes of the udupi Deanery. Rev. Fr. Valerian Mendonca, Parish Priest of Mother of Sorrows Church, Udupi, Dean of Udupi Varado and Chancellor of Udupi Diocese was the chief celebrant. Other priests included Fr. Valerian D’Souza former Parish Priest of Moodubelle, Fr. Fred Mascarenhas, former Dean of Udupi Varado and presently Parish Priest of Padukone, Rev. Dr. Lawrencce D’Souza, Secretary of CESU, Fr. Denis D’Sa, Parish Priest of St. Antony’s Church, Kuntalnagar and PRO of Udupi Diocese, Fr. Chetan Lobo (OFM Cap), Editor of ‘Uzwaad’, Fr. Alphonse D’Lima. Rector of Diocesan Minor Seminary and Fr. Clement Mascarenhas, Parish Priest of Moodubelle.

 

In his homily, Fr. Vijay D’Souza, Assistant Parish Priest of Udupi said that the life of St. Lawrence has been an example for many Christians over the centuries. His love for Jesus manifested through his caring and nurturing acts towards the poor and marginalized people of Rome earned him the crown of martyrdom. Fr. Vijay also pointed out the concern of Pope Francis towards the poor and deprived throughout the world. He called upon the people to develop the spirit of sharing and caring for the poor.

 

 

Prior to the commencement of the solemn feast mass, Fr. Clement Mascarenhas distributed candles of honour to the mud-dhoms while Mrs. Latha D’Mello, Secretary of the Parish Pastoral Council read the list of names.

 

At the end of the mass, Fr. Clement conveyed the greetings of the Titular Feast to all parishioners and thanked the priests who had participated in the solemn feast mass and all those who had contributed and assisted in organizing the solemn feast mass.  

 

About St. Lawrence:

Saint Lawrence was one of seven deacons who were in charge of giving help to the poor and the needy. When a persecution broke out, Pope St. Sixtus was condemned to death. As he was led to execution, Lawrence followed him weeping, "Father, where are you going without your deacon?" he said. "I am not leaving you, my son," answered the Pope. "in three daysyou will follow me." Full of joy, Lawrence gave to the poor the rest of the money he had on hand and even sold expensive vessels to have more to give away.

 

The Prefect of Rome, a greedy pagan, thought the Church had a great fortune hidden away. So he ordered Lawrence to bring the Church’s treasure to him. The Saint said he would, in three days. Then he went through the city and gathered together all the poor and sick people supported by the Church. When he showed them to the Prefect, he said: "This is the Church’s treasure!"

 

In great anger, the Prefect condemned Lawrence to a slow, cruel death. The Saint was tied on top of an iron grill over a slow fire that roasted his flesh little by little, but Lawrence was burning with so much love of God that he almost did not feel the flames. In fact, God gave him so much strength and joy that he even joked. "Turn me over," he said to the judge. "I’m done on this side!" And just before he died, he said, "It’s cooked enough now." Then he prayed that the city of Rome might be converted to Jesus and that the Catholic Faith might spread all over the world. After that, he went to receive the martyr’s reward.