Media Release
Hassan, Oct 17: In a spirit of deep faith and Eucharistic devotion, the youth and choir members of St Mary’s Church, Bellame, Marianagar, in the diocese of Chikmagalur, accompanied by their parish priest, Fr R Rajendra, made a devotional pilgrimage to the Eucharistic shrine at Vilakkannur, Kerala.
The young and energetic members of the parish visited the shrine with great reverence and devotion. They spent time in prayer, participated in the Holy Mass and reflected on the profound mystery of the Holy Eucharist, which is the source and summit of Christian life.
Fr R Rajendra celebrated the Holy Mass in Kannada with deep devotion and solemnity. In his homily, he explained the significance of the Holy Eucharist in the life of every Catholic, emphasising the real presence of Jesus Christ in the Blessed Sacrament. He encouraged the youth and choir members to cultivate a deeper love for the Eucharist, participate actively in the Holy Mass, spend time in Eucharistic adoration and receive Holy Communion with proper preparation and reverence.
The parish priest also reminded the young faithful that the Eucharist is not merely a religious ritual but a living encounter with Jesus Christ. He urged them to allow the grace of the Eucharist to transform their lives, strengthen their faith, inspire them to serve others and help them become witnesses of Christ's love in their families, parish and society.
Vilakkannur: A place of Eucharistic devotion and faith
Vilakkannur, a village in Kerala's Kannur district, has become an important destination for Catholic pilgrims because of the extraordinary Eucharistic phenomenon reported at Christ the King Church in 2013.
During the celebration of Holy Mass in November 2013, Fr Thomas Pathickal noticed an image resembling the face of Jesus appearing on the consecrated Host. The reported phenomenon drew widespread attention among the faithful and led to years of theological and scientific examination by Church authorities.
On March 19, 2025, the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith communicated that there was no objection to recognising the Vilakkannur Eucharistic phenomenon as an extraordinary event. The recognition was publicly proclaimed on May 31, 2025, during a solemn Eucharistic celebration at Christ the King Church, attended by Church leaders, priests, religious and thousands of faithful. The event brought national and international attention to this small village and strengthened its significance as a centre of Eucharistic devotion.
The Vilakkannur shrine reminds pilgrims of the central place of the Holy Eucharist in Catholic faith. The devotion associated with the shrine invites the faithful to contemplate the mystery of Christ's presence in the Blessed Sacrament and to deepen their personal relationship with Him.
A spiritual experience for the young faithful
The visit was a meaningful spiritual experience for the youth and choir members of St Mary’s Church, Marianagar. Their participation in the Holy Mass and their prayers at the shrine provided an opportunity to renew their faith, strengthen their fellowship and grow in their understanding of Eucharistic spirituality.
Such pilgrimages play an important role in nurturing the faith of young people and encouraging them to take an active part in the life and mission of the Church. The visit also highlighted the importance of the parish priest's guidance in helping young Catholics grow spiritually and become responsible members of the Christian community.
The pilgrimage concluded with renewed enthusiasm among the participants to deepen their Eucharistic devotion and carry the message of Christ's love into their daily lives.
The visit to Vilakkannur was not simply a journey to a renowned shrine; it was an invitation to walk closer with Jesus Christ, draw strength from the Holy Eucharist and live out the Gospel through prayer, service, unity and love.