Report by Stanley Bantwal
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangalore (RD/SP)
Mangalore, Jan 6: The annual feast of Infant Jesus Shrine, Bikarnakatte in the city, will be celebrated with pomp and gaiety on Thursday January 8.
The Bishop of Bellary Fr Henry D Souza will be the main celebrant for the festal Mass at 6.00 pm on Thursday. Eight masses will be offered in various languages throughout the festive day including a special prayer service in Kannada at 1.30 pm.
Infant Jesus Shrine has become one of the prominent centres where thousands flock to pray to the Infant Jesus and this feature was particularry evident during the novena days.
The history of 17th century states that the Carmelites in Prague had to withstand hostility of the Lutherans. The providence came through princess of Spain Polixena, a great benefactor of the friars, presented her wedding gift, in the form of a beautiful statute of Infant Jesus to the friars. However, the Carmelite monastery was plundered and the statue of Infant Jesus was cast upon a heap of rubble in a devastated war later. A Carmelite priest Fr Cyril discovered the statue in a heap of trash and placed it in an altar at the monastery and began to worship it. Soon, many faithful also joined and witnessed many miracles. Hence, the devotion to Infant Jesus that began in a small way spread worldwide.
The Belgian Carmelite missionaries, based in the city over five decades ago, began the novena prayer to the Infant Jesus in the small chapel on Thursdays. The present Shrine was blessed and dedicated to service on January 11 2006.
St Joseph's seminary rector Fr George Santumayer, Infant Jesus Shrine administrator Fr Nelson Pinto and publicity committee member Stanley Bantwal were present at the press conference.
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