Media release

Bengaluru, Jan 15: A sea of humanity of Catholics including people from various religious faiths gathered on January 14 evening for the feast of Infant Jesus at the concluding celebrations at the Infant Jesus Shrine (established in 1971) here.

Archbishop Dr Bernard Moras who heads a Catholic population of Roman Catholics in the Metropolitan Archdiocese of Bangalore spoke emphatically on the need for “pastoral care for youth who are becoming victims to a sweeping wave of substance abuse that endanger their spiritual life and the very quality of their existence.”

The Prelate who has been shepherding the Archdiocese for over a decade expressed great concern “for all Youth from various Faiths” saying “Our Youth need to be protected and guided”. The Archbishop urged the State dignitaries who graced the occasion “to do everything in their capacity to save youth heading into perils of chemical substances in various forms, including internet pornography which is demonically surging across the world”. Several Media personnel from across the State were also present. Carmelite Priest Fr Anastasio Roggero from the Archdiocese of Prague (where the devotion originated over 700 years ago) who heads the Missions and promotions to Devotions to Infant Jesus joined in the festivities and Holy Mass and was enlightened by Archbishop Moras on the people’s devotion to Infant Jesus in the Archdiocese.

Earlier during the day, The Archbishop presided over the Tamil and Kannada Language masses. The designated-Preacher during his mass Fr Arokia Swamy said,"This child Jesus is the one who created the world and human persons. Mother Mary saw the heavenly world on earth in the person of Christ. The kings of the world knelt and worshiped before the child. Therefore, learn to be humble to win the world”. Kannada Language Preacher Fr Francis Xavier said “Jesus brings the News of Peace in a world ridden by violence”.

The Archbishop’s Secretary Fr Paneer Selva Kumar, and priests Joseph Abraham, Jaikumar, Micheal Y, James Prabhu, Arul Raj were present for the masses through the day among many others. Over 50 priests were present for the concluding function which marked the blessing and flagging-off of the sacred car carrying the image of Infant Jesus which swerves through an at least 5 mile road-route culminating back to the Shrine. En-route, people were seen rendering various forms of homage and devotion seeking favours from God.

The Archbishop was felicitated by the Parish Priest and Rector Fr Balraj. Assistant Fr Vinay and Manager and Correspondent of Infant Jesus School Fr Sudeep joined in greeting and thanking the Archbishop.

A touching moment during the public address in the evening event was when the Mayor of the City, Padmavathi, declared to the multitude “I have been coming to this Shrine and praying to Infant Jesus. My becoming a Mayor of this city is also an answer to the many prayers that have already been answered over the years”. Member of the State Legislature N A Harris was also present on the dais and received the blessings of the Archbishop.