Media Release

Mangaluru, Dec 3: The nine-day novena of Our Lady of Pompei was inaugurated at the Shrine of Pompei, in the presence of her devotees. As a mark of the inauguration of the nine-day novena, the festal flag was hoisted by Fr Henry Sequeira.

A brief prayer service was led by parish priest Fr Benjamin Pinto at the shrine. Thereafter, the statue of Our Lady of Pompei was carried in procession to the church.

Fr Alwyn Richard D'Souza, assistant director of St Joseph Engineering College was the main celebrant. In his homily, he enunciated the theme of the day 'Through Mother Mary Emmanuel came to this World'.

Novena prayers were offered at the end of the Eucharistic celebration. Priests laid their hands and prayed for everyone gathered in the church. Fr Benjamin Pinto, parish priest, Fr Johnson Pereira, assistant parish priest, Fr Henry Sequeira, vice president Lloyd Lobo, secretary Lucy Lobo and large number of devotees of Our Lady of Pompei joined the Eucharistic celebration.