NewsKarnataka-Mangalore

Mangalore : The Infant Jesus Shrine at Carmel Hill, Bikarnakatte in the city  will  be celebrating its Annual Feast on January 14, informed Fr Pius James D’Souza, Superior of St Joseph’s Monastery.

Speaking to the media men here, he said  the theme  for this year’s Feast is “Prayer: The Core of Christian Life.” A nine day Novena will be held from January 5 to 13, as a spiritual preparation for the feast, Fr D’Souza said.

The Festal Solemn Eucharist on January 14 at 6 pm will be presided by Bishop of Ajmer Dr Pius Thomas D’Souza. The Eucharist will be concelebrated by Dr Archibald Gonsalves, Provincial Superior of the Carmelites.  Festive Masses will be held from 6 am to 12:30. This will be followed by a special prayer service in Kannada at 1:30 pm.

The Shrine will be offering a special catechesis to the devotees during the nine days of Novena and on the feast day.Free meals will be served to the devotees on all Novena Days and masses will be held in Konkani  at 6 am, 7.30 am, 9 am, 10.30 am. Similarly, masses in English will be held at 5 pm,  masses in Konkani at 6 pm and masses in Kannada at 7.15 pm.

A new house constructed by the Shrine  will be handed over to  Ronald Lobo from Bantwal on the Feast Day.The Shrine has been constructing a house for the poor every year.

V4 Namma Kudla Channel will be telecasting live the Feast and Novena Masses.
Fr James also informed that  State Health Minister UT Khader will inaugurate a blood donation camp to be organised on January 9 from 9 am to 1 pm in connection with the Feast.

Fr Elias D’Souza, Director of Infant Jesus Shrine, Fr Stephen Pereira, Editor of “Naman Ballok Jesu” Konkani monthly and Elias Fernandes of  Four Winds Mass Communication Services were  also present at the presss meet.