Mangaluru: The annual Feast of Infant Jesus at Infant Jesus Shrine, Carmel Hill, Bikarnakatte – Mangaluru will be celebrated from January 14-16.

The Festal Mass on January 14 at 10.30 a.m will be presided over by Rev. Fr. Ronald Serrao, Rector of St Joseph’s Seminary and at 6.00 p.m. will be presided over by Most Rev. Dr Francis Serrao, Bishop of Shimoga. The Festal Mass on January 15 at 10.30 a.m. will be presided over by Most Rev. Dr Peter Paul Saldanha, Bishop of Mangalore and at 6.00 p.m. will be presided over by Very Rev. Maxim Noronha, Vicar General of Mangalore Diocese. The Festal Mass on January 16 at 10.30 a.m. will be presided over by Rev. Fr. Paul Melwyn D’Souza OFM Cap, Vicar for Religious, Mangalore and at 6.00 p.m. will be presided over by Most Rev. Dr Aloysius Paul D Souza, Bishop Emeritus.

There will be Masses throughout the day too on 14 Jan. Mass in Konkani will be celebrated at 6.00 a.m. 7.30 a.m. in English, 9.00 a.m. in Konkani and 1.00 p.m. in Kannada. Mass for the sick and the aged will be celebrated at 10.30 a.m. in Konkani. The Festal Mass on the Second day (Jan 15): 6.00 a.m. 7.30 a.m.9.00 a.m. in Konkani; 10.30- Mass for the Children &1.00 in Malayalam. The Festal Mass on the Third day (Jan 16): 6.00 a.m. in Konkani, 7.30 a.m. in English, 9.00 a.m. in Konkani, 1.00 p.m. in Konkani and 6.00 p.m. Mass in Konkani.

The formal inauguration of the festivity will be held done by hoisting the flag on Jan 4, 2021, at 5.30 p.m. followed by Mass.

In preparation for the annual feast, nine days Novena Prayers are held from Jan 5 to Jan 13 during which we have 9 Masses every day. Masses are as follows: In the morning at 6.00, 7.30, 9.00 and 10.30 in Konkani; At noon 1.00 p.m. in Konkani; In the evening at 4.00 in Malayalam, 5.00 in English and 7.00 in Kannada. The main mass at 6.00 pm will be celebrated in Konkani in the open air.

Infant Jesus Shrine abiding by the Government regulations on Covid 19, is keen on providing safety to the people in its premises. In collaboration with Girija Pharmaceuticals, the shrine will avail all the services in combating Covid 19. There will be regular health check-ups on novena days as well as feast days. Masks will be provided to the needy. The Place of worship will be sanitized and clean drinking water and other facilities will be provided to all pilgrims and special prayers will be offered for the protection from Covid-19 pandemic.