There were two main Masses on the day. The morning Mass was celebrated by Dr Gerald Isaac Lobo, bishop of Udupi, while the afternoon Mass was celebrated by Dr John Carvalho, the newly ordained bishop of Ajmer. In their homilies, both bishops reflected on the theme ‘I Have Loved You’, explaining how one can experience Christ’s unconditional love and multiply it by sharing it with the downtrodden.

Other Masses were celebrated by priests who also prayed over the sick. They included Fr Steevan Fernandes, director, ICYM; Fr Anil Lobo, parish priest, Sundekere, Chikkamagaluru; Fr Clany D’Souza, Gladsom Home, Mangaluru; Fr Sunil Pinto, principal, Kadaba School; Fr Pradeep Cardoza, assistant parish priest, Milagres Cathedral; Fr Rohith D’Costa, director, Mangala Jyothi, Mangaluru; and Fr Rohan Dias CSsR, Alangar, Moodbidri.

Dr Gerald Isaac Lobo expressed his heartfelt gratitude to all the devotees, the faithful of Attur parish, the parish priest and assistant priests for the meticulous arrangements made for the successful celebration of the feast. He also sought the prayers of devotees for the successful completion of future projects of the basilica.

Rashmi, assistant commissioner of Kundapur division, visited the shrine and conveyed festive greetings.

On Thursday, January 29, Mass will traditionally be offered in honour of Mother Mary, the Mother of Gratitude. With the Mass at 6.00 pm, the festivities will conclude. A Yakshagana titled Jagathjyothi will be staged soon after the 6.00 pm Mass.