Shirva: Feast of our Lady of Lourdes celebrated

Report and Pictures by Arul and Michael Mathias
Bellevision Media Network

Shirva, 14 February 2010: The feast of Our Lady of Lourdes was celebrated at Our Lady of Health Church, Shirva with devotion and solemnity on Thursday, 11th February 2010. The Episcopal Vicar, Rev. Fr. Baptist Menezes offered Holy Mass along with the parish priest of Shirva- Fr. Richard Coelho, assistant parish priest –Fr. Fredrick Monteiro, Post Graduate Centre Dean- Fr. Edwin D’Souza, Director of Don Bosco Youth Centre-Fr. Francis, and Fr Tino. The statue of Our Lady of Lourdes was carried in a decorated palki from the prayer hall that passed through Manchakal (Shirva) town and concluded in front of the newly erected Grotto of Our Lady of Lourdes. Over 2,000 devotees participated in the procession.

On the route of the procession, residents of the town and shop-keepers had lighted candles on their compound walls and shop premises respectively regardless of their faith. This shows that Shirva enjoys communal harmony that has been fostered since many decades. This procession and celebration of the feast of Our Lady of Lourdes is an annual occasion to manifest solidarity and brotherhood among all people in the society.

Fr. Baptist Menenzes, in his homily urged the devotees to listen to the word of God, citing the miracle performed by Jesus at Kana, where Mother Mary learnt of shortage of wine at the wedding ceremony and told the labourers to do what Jesus tells them to do. The labourers filled the jars with water and it was transformed into wine by Jesus. Similarly, the word of God brings rich dividends, if followed consistently, he added.