Udupi : The annual feast of Our Lady of Velankanni Shrine was celebrated with great devotion at Stella Maris Church Kalmady on Tuesday, August 15. Thousands of faithful gathered for the grand event.
Most Rev Dr. Gerald Isaac Lobo, Bishop of Udupi Diocese concelebrated the solemnly High Eucharistic mass along with Very Rev Fr. Valerian Mendonca Dean of Udupi Deanery and Chancellor of the diocese, Rev Fr. Alban D’Souza parish preist of Kalmady church, Rev Fr. Chetan Lobo Editor of Uzwaad, deanery priests, capuchins and other priests.
Bishop in his homily pointed out the importance of observing ‘Lectio Divina’ a Latin for Divine Reading which represents a method of prayer and scriptural reading intended to promote communion with God and provide special spiritual insights. The connection between Bible reading and prayer is one to be encouraged, they should always go together. The Christian should use the Scriptures to pursue the knowledge of God, wisdom, and holiness through the objective meaning of the text with the aim of transforming the mind according to truth.
“Mother Mary is the servant of God, She is the mediator with the God. Mother Mary’s act of faith and Her giving birth are at the beginning of the incarnate life and mission of the Savior. The Blessed Mother Mary safeguards the fullness of revelation and deepens our understanding of God’s plan of salvation. The words of God in the Bible are the foundation of all Catholic teaching. According to St Jerome, those who do not know about the Holy Bible, do not know about God. The words of God are the Words of life,” he said.
The life of the Mother Mary is an open book. Mother Mary was predestined from eternity and uniquely prepared to be the dwelling place of God. Mother Mary has God’s gift of Grace. The World of God in faith becomes herself a Mother. The most Blessed Virgin Mary was from the first moment of her conception, by a singular Grace and privilege of almighty God and by virtue of the merits of Jesus Christ. She is the one who hears the Word of God, the one who responds in faith. She is indeed a servant of God almighty,” he said.
Fr. Alban D’Souza parish priest thanked all the devotees all around the diocese after the Eucharist celebrations. He thanked all well wishers, donors and all concerned who helped to conduct the feast in a smooth manner. Bishop distributed the decorated candles to the sponsors of the celebrations.
The nine day novena service for the preparation of the feast was held from August 6 to August 14. Every day thousands of devotees participated in the novena service.
The new church building will be inaugurated on January 6. The church will be shaped like a boar, along with a bell tower in the shape of a light house which is being constructed next to the existing church building and can accommodate 1000 people.
