Pics: Kevin Rodrigues
Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi (WD)
Karkala, Jan 25: The annual feast of St Lawrence Minor Basilica, Attur, started with Confraternity Sunday on January 25 with the theme 'We all are brothers & sisters'. Amidst Covid 19 pandemic, the feast this year will be celebrated in a simple manner following all safety protocols.
Dr Francis Serrao, bishop, diocese of Shimoga, presided over the main celebration of the day. Fr George D’Ssouza, rector, St Lawrence Minor Basilica, Attur, and other priests were the concelebrants.
In his homily, Bishop Dr Francis Serrao said, “Today we are reflecting on the theme 'we all are brothers and sisters’. Pope Francis in his letter said 'Fratelhi Tutti' means ‘we all are brothers and sisters’. We can explain this in five types - first are our siblings who are near to us, second are those who follow the same faith and people from our religion and community, third are the one who are in difficulty, fourth are the one who hear the Word of God and fifth are the one who live in this world. All human beings on earth are our brothers and sisters.
“The Ten Commandments tells us to respect our parents. The Bible also asks children to respect their elders. But due to our selfish deeds, parents have reached old age homes and there are differences between brothers and sisters. Our families are broken. We need to reflect on today's scenarios. Though we celebrate Mass together, there are many differences among us.
“A person who donates a part of his money and belongings is really a blessed one, but the one who sacrifices his life for others is the better. St Lawrence too sacrificed his life for others and became the biggest example for sacrifice,” he said.
Fr Johnson Sequeira, principal, St Mary's English Medium School, Udupi, Fr Herald Pereira, Fr Maxim Noronha, vicar general, diocese of Mangalore, and Fr Nelson D'Souza, Shimoga diocese, celebrated the other Masses of the day.
The Basilica witness devotees in a huge number on Sunday. Every day, Masses will be celebrated at 8 am, 10 am, 12 noon, 3 pm and 5 pm.
Festival Masses and celebrants
Dr Aloysius Paul D’Souza, bishop emeritus, diocese of Mangalore, will preside over the festive Mass on Monday, January 25 at 10 am. Mass will be celebrated in Konkani.
Dr Lawrence Mukkuzhy, bishop, diocese of Belthangady will preside over the Holy Eucharistic celebration on Tuesday, January 26 at 10 am. Mass will be celebrated in Kannada.
Dr Gerald Isaac Lobo, bishop, diocese of Udupi, will preside over the Holy Eucharistic celebration on Wednesday, January 27 at 10 am. Mass will be celebrated in Konkani.
Dr Peter Paul Saldhana, bishop, diocese of Mangalore, will preside over the Holy Eucharistic celebration on Thursday, January 28 at 10 am. Mass will be celebrated in Konkani.
Daijiworld.com will bring the live webcasting of the above festival Masses.
Watch Confraternity Sunday Mass in Konkani by Bishop Dr Francis Serrao: