Mangaluru: The first Sunday of the year was once again marked by the Mangalore Diocese by holding its 53rd annual Eucharistic Procession as well as an inauguration of 2020 as the ‘Year of Pro-Life’ on January 5.

The diocesan-level procession commenced from Milagres church and culminated at the Rosario Cathedral. Thousands of devotees, 230 priests of several congregations, nuns and other religious participated in the event. Mangaluru Bishop Rev Dr. Peter Paul Saldanha gave the lead as the head of the Diocese. Bishop Emeritus Rev Dr. Aloysius Paul D’Souza was also part of the procession. 

During the mass at the Milagres Church, the Bishop, in his homily, said, “Jesus Christ taught us to love one another. Every human life is a special plan of God and has its individual vital importance. It is our duty to value and respect human lives fully. Killing humans, especially infants due to gender bias, is very common. We are becoming inhuman, anti-life and merciless to our fellow humans. The need for immediate transformation is urgent.”

He also emphasised on the need to protect nature saying, “It is our duty to protect nature and the environment. We must care for plants as our own because our life is supported by nature.”

There was adoration at the premises of the Rosario Cathedral that commenced at 6 PM on a decorated platform, after all participants reached the spot. The main banner had the words, “The Fruit of the Holy Eucharist, Strength for Human Dignity”. The session commenced with a reflection by Rev Wilfred Rodrigues, a well-known Carmelite and director of the Infant Jesus Shrine, Bikarnakatte.