Pics: Kevin Rodrigues

Daijiworld Media Network – Karkala

Karkala, Jan 15: Prior to the annual feast to be held from Sunday January 21 to Thursday January 25, 2018 of St Lawrence Minor Basilica, novena prayers were inaugurated by J R Lobo, MLA, Mangaluru south constituency and president, minority development board on Sunday January 14 by lighting the lamp.

Sunil Kumar, chief whip and MLA of Karkal, Gopal Bhandary, Ex-MLA, George Castelino Nakre, member, minority development, Reshma Uday Shetty, member, zilla panchayat, Harishchandra, member, taluk panchayat, Fr George D’Souza, Rector, St Lawrence Minor Basilica, Fr Jencil Alva, assistant parish priest, John D’Silva, vice-president, parish pastoral council, Leena D’Silva, Secretary, parish pastoral council, were present on the occasion.

Statue of St Sebastian was carried in a devotional procession from Basilica to the grotto as a mark of the celebration. Fr George D’Souza, Rector of the minor basilica offered prayer and blessed the gathering.

In his message, J R Lobo said, “Annual feast of St Lawrence is a holy one. People from nook and corner of this district gather here to celebrate the festivities and keep their vows in front of St Lawrence. This time, when we celebrate the feast of St Lawrence, let us pray for the peace, love and unity among us. May the differences that have erupted between different religions get resolved and let us be one. To develop our country we all need to be one and live in unity. May St Lawrence bless us all and let there be peace and unity among us."

Speaking on the occasion Sunil Kumar MLA, Karkal said, "We will be celebrating the annual feast of St Lawrence from next Sunday, January 21. People come to this place with various worries and prayers and keep them in front of St Lawrence and seek his blessings. This place has been honoured with a basilica and this is indeed a blessing from God. It has attracted many people in and around the world. This place has witnessed many miracles. St Lawrence has blessed all with his choicest blessings. I feel happy that at the basilica declaration programme, I promised to widen the approaching roads to this place and have kept up my promise. Rs 3 crore is sanctioned by the government for the road widening work. With the blessings of St Lawrence let there be more developments."

Gopal Bhandary, Ex-MLA in his address said, "We have been preparing for the big day. 300 years ago, St Lawrence chose this place and we are blessed to be part of this feast. Our place is known for unity in diversity. This feast gives a message of unity in diversity as the people from every corner come to this place and celebrate this feast. We have seen miracles happening in this place. Indeed this place is blessed. Fr George has attracted the attention of everyone to this place by his development works. Continuous development is going on in this place. I congratulate the priest for his dedicated work. Let there be more development in this place and also may it give the message of peace to all."

Fr Jencil Alva, assistant parish priest welcomed the gathering. Leena D'silva, secretary of parish pastoral council proposed the vote of thanks. The programme was compered by Santhosh D'silva.

Feast Days

Annual Festival of St Lawrence Minor Basilica will be held from Sunday January 21 to Thursday January 25. During the festive days, nearly 44 masses in Konkani and Kannada language will be conducted. Special prayers for sick, elders and children will be offered during the five days of the feast. Round the clock confession service will be served to the needy by the priests. Five bishops of Shivamogga, Beltangady, Mysuru, Mangalur and Udupi Diocese will offer the mass during the five days.

Development works

A number of works are going on at the Basilica under the able leadership of Fr George D'souza as part of the continuous development of the shrine.

During the festival time, water scarcity is the main issue. To resolve this M R Seetharam , minister for planning, statistics, science and technology, has got Rs 50 lac sanctioned from the state government. for building an underground water tank with the storage capacity of five lac litres at the top of the hill. It will be functioning very soon.

Rs 75 lac is sanctioned towards making asphalt road from the hill cross towards the other side. Once the tender process is completed, the work will begin.

Double lane road

Due to the special initiative taken by Sunil Kumar, MLA Karkal, Rs 3 Crore is sanctioned under the central road fund (CRF). The road approaching the basilica will be double lane before the annual feast this year.

Parking during festival time

Presently the hill is levelled in 4 different places and made suitable for parking of vehicles of the devotees. Nearly four places are levelled till the holy cross at the top of the hill, in addition to other places of parking. Two special VIP parking slots are also developed.