Annual feast of Infant Jesus celebrated at Koteshwar

By Fr Stephen Alwyn Pereira OCD
Bellevision Media Network

Kundapur, 21 Jan 2012: The annual feast of Infant Jesus was celebrated at Koteshwar - Kundapur here on Thursday January 19 with great devotion and zeal. Rev. Fr. Maxim Noronha, the Financial Administrator of the Diocese of Mangalore presided over the solemn festal Eucharistic Celebration at 5 pm along with 30 priests. Fr. Noronha in his homily on the theme: ‘Let us be witnesses of faith’, invited the devotees to give expression to their faith in daily activities.

 

Fr. George Santhumayor, Superior of the Carmel Ashram, proposed the vote of thanks. A large number of devotees of Infant Jesus participated in the Eucharistic celebration. A Triduum in preparation to the feast was held and Fr. Rudolph Pinto OCD by his insightful reflections prepared the hearts of the devotees to celebrate the annual feast with much fervour.

 

 

Carmelite presence in Koteshwar dates back to 1998. From scratch to today it has been an onward journey. Since then devotion to Infant Jesus and Mount Carmel has taken root in its surroundings. It is heartening to see devotees flocking to this centre. Nothing has deterred the Carmelites from pursuing their committed living in spite of personal attacks, vandalizing the Grottos and spreading fear.

 

The mammoth gathering at the Feast speaks in volumes the grace of Jesus and no power on earth can trample it. The promise of Infant King: ‘The more you honour me, the more will I bless you’ have come true in Koteshwar as well.