News and pics by Nelson Henry Pinto
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangalore (SP)

Mangalore, Jan 1: The Carmelites of the Infant Jesus Shrine here have   launched a new Konkani monthly titled ‘Ballok Jezu”. The first issue of the new monthly was released by Fr Nelson Pinto OCD at the Infant Jesus Shrine, Bikarnakatte here, on January 1, 2009.

‘Ballok Jezu’ was hitherto being brought out as an annual magazine since the year 2001. To share the contemplative treasures of the Carmelites, towards  spreading  the message of devotion to Infant Jesus, to introduce the missionary work of the Carmelites, to promote vocation to the Carmelites and also  to encourage the talents of the Konkani writers, specially from among the  Carmelites are some of the aims and objectives behind the publication of  this  monthly.

The monthly is being edited by Fr Nelson Pinto OCD and published by Fr George Santhumayor OCD for the Infant Jesus Shrine, Mangalore.  Various columns like Youth, Church Law, Word of God, devotion of Infant Jesus, Life of Carmelites Saints, Biblical Skit, Family issues etc., have been included in the inaugural issue of ‘Ballok Jezu’.

The Provincial of the Karnataka- Goa Province Fr Archibald Gonsalves OCD, an honorary editor of this monthly, has requested the readers through the inaugural editorial, has exhorted the readers to speak Konkani, to write in Konkani and to live the Konkani culture. Those willing to subscribe to the monthly can do so at the Infant Jesus Shrine office, Bikarnnakatte, Mangalore.