Media Release
Karkala, Jan 25: The Annual Feast of St Lawrence minor Basilica, Attur began with great pomp and solemnity. The festivities commenced with a solemn procession, during which the miraculous statue of St Lawrence was taken from its original place to the place of veneration. Fr Alban D’Souza, rector of the Basilica, led the prayers during the procession.
The first festal Mass was celebrated at 7.30 am by Fr Robin Santhumayor, assistant parish priest of the Basilica of Karkala Attur.
This was followed by the flag-hoisting ceremony conducted by Dr Gerald Isaac Lobo, Bishop of Udupi. Santhosh D’Silva, vice-president of the Parish Pastoral Council, welcomed the gathering, while Ronald Noronha, the secretary, proposed the vote of thanks. The designate vice-president and secretary, Vandish Mathias and Melwyn Castelino respectively, were also present on the occasion.
Following the flag-hoisting ceremony, Bishop Gerald Isaac Lobo released a new book published by Divya Jyothi, the Commission for Liturgy, containing day-to-day prayers printed in three scripts. He also symbolically released a new video dramatising the parable of the good samaritan, prepared by Fr Clement Mascarenhas, parish priest of Karkal Town Parish.
The bishop then celebrated the first festive high Mass, concelebrated by several priests. In his homily, he emphasised the importance of reading the sacred scriptures and redefining one’s life in the light of god’s Word, especially as the day was observed as the Sunday of the word of god.
The evening high concelebrated Mass was celebrated by Dr Aloysius Paul D’Souza, bishop emeritus of Mangalore. Thousands of devotees thronged the Basilica to seek the blessings of their favourite saint and to thank him for the many favours received.
The other festal Masses were celebrated by Fr Rajesh D’Souza, rector of Jeppu Seminary; Fr Dancy Martis, OFM Cap, principal of Basrur Central School; Fr Franklin D’Souza from the diocese of Shimoga; Fr Chetan Lobo, OFM Cap, director of Assisi Press; Fr Stephen D’Souza, chancellor of the diocese of Udupi; and Fr Alwyn Sequeira, OCD, Editor of Uzvaad Magazine.
As January 26 is Republic Day, a large gathering of devotees is expected to attend the festive celebrations. The main Festive Mass will be celebrated in the Kannada language at 5 pm by Dr Duming Dias, bishop of Karwar.