Pics: Melwin Mascarenhas

Daijiworld Media Network – Udupi (JD/KR)

Udupi, Aug 15: Annual feast of Our Lady of Health Shrine, Kalmady was celebrated with great devotion on Saturday August 15. Dr Gerald Isaac Lobo, bishop, diocese of Udupi, presided over the celebrations, while Fr Alban D’Souza, parish priest, Stella Maris Church, Fr Baptist Menezes, rector, Minor Seminary, Moodubelle, were the concelebrants.

In his homily, Fr Baptist Menezes, said, “The feast of Assumption of Mother Mary is being celebrated from the 5th century by the Holy Catholic Church. Mother Mary’s life is a journey from Bethlehem to Mount Calvary. Mother Mary obeyed the word of God. Mother Mary was also present when Jesus Christ died. She saw the sorrows of Jesus Christ. Her life was filled with seven sorrows. Assumption of Mother Mary is the utmost blessing from God given to this earth. Let Mother Mary take us, her children towards Jesus Christ.

“Also today, we are celebrating the 74th Indian Independence Day. Three days before Independence Day on August 12, 1947, Mahatma Gandhiji said that we have won political freedom but social and financial freedom is yet to be achieved and to attain these freedoms, it is harder than the political freedom. Hence, along with political freedom, let us attain social and financial freedom too,” he said.

Fr Alban D’Souza thanked all the devotees for their contribution throughout the year.

Earlier, nine days of novena started on August 6. Every day at 9 am and 4 pm, Mass, novena and special prayers were held. Arrangements were done for the live streaming.

Due to Covid-19 restrictions, festival celebrations were held as per the norms issued by the district administration.

Watch full Mass: