Pics: Justin D'Silva
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru/Udupi
Mangaluru/Udupi, Dec 31: Christians across Mangaluru and Udupi district welcomed the New Year 2026 with prayers, thanksgiving services, and festive celebrations held at churches on Wednesday evening and night.
In Mangaluru, Our Lady of Miracles Church, Milagres, celebrated the New Year along with the Feast of the Mother of God with vigour and enthusiasm. Fr Bonaventure Nazareth, parish priest, conducted the adoration in English, while Fr Alwyn Serrao celebrated the holy Eucharistic Mass in English. Fr Ivan D’Souza, secretary to the Bishop, led the adoration in Konkani, and Fr Maxim Rosario delivered the sermon.
Our Lady of Miracles Church, Milagres
Kalianpur Milagres Cathedral, Udupi
During the celebrations, the newly elected Parish Pastoral Parishad members took the oath and commenced their service. On the occasion, vice-president Dickson D’Souza and secretary Jecintha Fernandes were felicitated. Parishioners offered prayers of thanksgiving for the gift of 2025 and joyfully welcomed 2026.
In Udupi district, faithful gathered in large numbers at churches to express gratitude to God for the past year and prayed for happiness, peace, and well-being in the year ahead.
The Bishop of Udupi Diocese, Dr Gerald Isaac Lobo, celebrated the holy Eucharistic Mass at Kalianpur Milagres Cathedral on Wednesday night. Addressing the congregation, he called on the faithful to walk in god’s path in the New Year and urged them to pray and work towards global peace.
The Mass was attended by Milagres Cathedral rector Monsignor Ferdinand Gonsalves, assistant parish priest Fr Pradeep Cardoza, and other priests.
New Year Masses were also conducted at Udupi Mother of Sorrows Church under Fr Charles Menezes, Shirva Church led by Fr Leslie D’Souza, and Thottam St Anne’s Church under Fr Dennis D’Souza, with similar services held in churches throughout the district.
As part of the celebrations across both regions, youth associations organised special cultural programmes, followed by cake distribution. Parishioners exchanged New Year greetings, marking the occasion with joy, unity, and fellowship.