Media Release

Shivamogga, Jul 17: The Mount Carmel Feast was celebrated on July 16 at Sacred Heart Cathedral, Shivamogga. In preparation for the parish feast, the flag hoisting ceremony of Our Lady of Mount Carmel took place on July, 6. The solemn event was graced by the presence of Fr Patrick Jonas, parish priest of St Anthony Church, Hassan, from the diocese of Chikmagaluru. who had the honour of hoisting the flag of Our Lady of Mount Carmel. The ceremony was conducted in a spirit of reverence and unity, marking the commencement of a significant occasion in the cathedral.

The nine-day Novena commenced on July 6 featuring various priests who celebrated the Eucharist daily. They spiritually prepared the faithful with insightful and meaningful homilies, drawing their reflections from the theme 'Our Lady of Mount Carmel, the Refuge of the Marginalised'.

In alignment with the main theme, nine distinct sub-themes were assigned to the preachers. The esteemed preachers included: Fr Patrick Jonas from the diocese of Chikmagaluru; Fr Prem Prakash CSSR from the vice-province of Majella (Mumbai); Fr Sunil Rodrigues OCD from the Karnataka-Goa Province; Fr Supreeth Menezes from the diocese of Chikmagaluru; and Fr Roman Pinto from the diocese of Shimoga.

Day 1: "God the father is the protector and redeemer of the marginalized in society."

Day 2: "Lord Jesus Christ is the manifestation of God the Father to the marginalized of society."

Day 3: "The Catholic Church stands in solidarity with those on the margins of society."

Day 4: "Mother Carmel: A mother of reconciliation for those marginalized by society."

Day 5: "Mother Carmel, the mother of orphans and children pushed to the margins of society."

Day 6: "Mother Carmel, the mother of parents and the elderly who have been pushed to the margins of society."

Day 7: "Mother Carmel, the mother of migrants who have been pushed to the margins of society."

Day 8: "Mother Carmel, the mother of widows who have been pushed to the margins of society."

Day 9: "Mother Carmel, the mother of the sick and the suffering pushed to the margins of society."

On the feast day, July 16 Mass was celebrated. A solemn festive Mass was celebrated by Dr Duming Dias, bishop of the diocese of Karwar and apostolic administrator of the diocese of Shimoga, with the concelebration of 54 priests. He preached a heart-touching homily on the theme 'Our Lady of Mount Carmel, the Refuge of the Marginalized'. At the end of the Holy Eucharist, Sacred Heart Cathedral rector Msgr Stany D'Souza thanked everyone. On behalf of the parish, bishop Duming Dias felicitated, with a shawl and garland, three priests celebrating their Sacerdotal Golden Jubilee: Fr Stany Mariappa, Fr J B Castelino, and Fr Alphonse Lobo. Subsequently, he also recognized those celebrating their Sacerdotal Silver Jubilee: Fr Richard Pais, Fr Ronald D'Cunha, Fr Ronald Veigas, and Fr Victor Pais.

Bishop Duming Dias officiated the Holy Eucharist, and Fr Veeresh Moras delivered the homily. Approximately 25 priests participated in the Mass through concelebration. The atmosphere was profoundly spiritual, as the faithful assembled to receive divine blessings through the intercession of Mount Carmel.

After the evening Mass, a grand solemn procession commenced winding its way through the streets of Shivamogga. The procession was marked by a disciplined and prayerful ambiance, facilitated by volunteers and the faithful. Together, the participants walked, prayed the Rosary, and sang hymns in praise and devotion to Our Lady of Mount Carmel. The whole spiritual event of the day concluded with the Eucharistic Adoration led by Fr Pius D'Souza, director of SMSSS.

The feast not only brought the faithful together in prayer but also fostered a sense of solidarity, with all working in unison to honour Mother Carmel. The church and its surroundings were beautifully adorned with flowers and lighting enhancing the spiritual atmosphere both at the altar and outside the church.

Fr Stany D'Souza, rector of Sacred Heart Cathedral, Shivamogga, and vicar general of the diocese of Shimoga, thanked bishop Duming Dias and all those who made this feast a success. Assistant parish priest Fr Glanson D'Souza, associate priest Fr Prem Prakash CSSR, and deacon Fr Santhosh Kumar SJ coordinated the entire feast with the parishioners.

The Sacred Heart Cathedral, Shivamogga has a unique tradition that the faithful celebrate the feast of Our Lady of Mount Carmel with utmost devotion and love. The tradition goes back to the 18th century. As the Christian faithful were celebrating the novenas of Our Lady of Mount Carmel in the month of July, the incessant rain lashed the town. The river Tunga was in spate. As a result, the overflowing river water gushed into suburb areas.

The people, irrespective of caste and creed, prayed in their places of worship to stop the rain. The Christian faithful took out a procession, praying the holy rosary to the river bank. The people of other faiths too joined. As they reached the river bank, they had a short prayer and left the scapular in the waters.

As the procession reached back the Church, miraculously, rain stopped and water began to recede. This miracle was well received by the people of all faiths. They thanked Our Lady of Mount Carmel profusely. Ever since, this feast is celebrated year after year with the right earnestness and devotion.