Mangaluru, 09 Oct: Dr Aloysius Paul D’Souza, the Bishop emeritus of Mangaluru diocese presided the Holy Mass at St Rita Church, Cascia, here on Monday, October 7 at 5.30pm on the occasion of feast of the Most Holy Rosary.
On this occasion, Bishop said that Mother Mary fully participated in the Redemptive work of Jesus. At His death on the cross Jesus has given His Mother Mary as our Mother. She intercedes for us and protects us whenever we approach her in our need. She appears in various parts of the world and reminds the believers to ‘repent and believe’ the message given by Jesus.
Fr Dr Leo Lasrado, the professor at St Joseph Inter-Diocesan Seminary, Jeppu, here preached a homily on the devotion of Rosary. He said the family which comes together to pray Rosary stays together. The prayer of Rosary not only keeps the families together but also nurtures good values among the family members. It helps the faithful to mediate on the mysteries of faith and helps them to come closer to Jesus.
After the Holy Mass there was a candle-lit procession from St Rita Church, Cascia to St Anthony’s Ashram, Jeppu. The devotees sang hymns and recited the Rosary. The floats depicting the apparitions of Mother Mary added color to the procession.
The celebration was jointly organized by St Anthony’s Ashram, Jeppu, St Rita Church Cascia, St Vincent Ferrer Church, Valencia, St Joseph Church, Jeppu and Our Lady of Miracles Church, Milagres.
The choir groups from St Rita Church, Cascia, St Joseph Church, Jeppu, St Vincent Ferrer Church, Valencia, United Family Choir under the leadership of Simon Pais added melody to the liturgical singing.
Fr Onil D’Souza, the director of St Anthony’s Ashram, Jeppu thanked all those who worked for the success of procession and the celebration.
Fr Harold Mascarenhas, parish priest of Cascia, Fr James D’Souza, parish priest of Valencia, Fr Clifford Fernandes, parish priest of Jeppu, Fr Thrishan D’Souza, Fr Maxim D’Souza of Milagres, Fr Francis D’Souza of St Joseph’s Seminary and Fr Roshan D’Souza of St Anthony’s Ashram joined the celebration.
The nuns of Holy Rosary Convent, Gerosa Convent, Infant Mary’s Convent, Vinayalaya, Deva Kripa, Roshani Nilaya and St Ann Convent were present.
Thousands of devotees enthusiastically participated in the celebration.
A fellowship meal was served to all the devotees at the Ashram.