Mangalore, December 25: Christians across the city of Mangalore thronged at churches of their respective parishes Sunday morning to offer special prayers as part of Christmas celebrations.
Bishop of Mangalore Dr Aloysius Paul D'Souza was the main celebrant of the Christmas Mass at Rosario Cathedral. He briefed the gathering about the significance of the birth of Jesus Christ and wished everyone a happy Christmas.
Devotees attended a special Christmas Mass late on Friday night in various churches across the city. The believers have also offered pious midnight services in their respective churches. The Christmas special mass held in different churches from 7.30 pm onwards on Friday. Cultural programmes by the members of parishes also added spice to the Christmas celebration.
Milagres Church and St Sebastian Church, Bendoor witnessed a large number of believers coming together to celebrate the birth of Son of God who born in Bethlehem more than 2,000 years ago. Additional chairs were placed outside the Church so that devotees.
Churches around the city were decorated with lights and illuminations. Though almost all the churches in the coastal districts had started the preparations for making the crib about a month ago, the final touches were given on the eve of Christmas.
Cribs at all the churches in city including Cathedral (Rosario), Lady of Miracles (Milagres), St Sebastin's church (Bendoor), Holy Cross church (Kulshekar), Infant Jesus shrine (Bikarnakatta), St Joseph's Seminary (Jeppu), St Rita's church (Casia), Guardian Angel church (Angelore), St Lawrence (Bondel), Mother Theresa (Paldane), St Francis Xavier church (Bejai) and Our Lady of Immaculate Conception (Urwa) - seemed to be better than the other. A few churches had recreated Bethlehem - the birth place of Jesus Christ.
Meanwhile, many churches have organised sports activities and fun games for the parisheners as part of Christmas celebrations.
Joy Everywhere
In fact, the City is wearing a festive look for the past few days. Be it making crib, decorating roofs with Christmas stars or making 'kuswar' (the traditional sweets made during Christmas season which include nevryo, kideo, gulio, kokkisan, rice laddu, tukdi and of course cakes), every Catholic family was busy in one or the other way.
Believers said that this Christmas brought them a musical treat as many grand choirs with different singing styles performed.
As always, being together with family is what counts the most even this Christmas, people said. "This is the time when most of the family members come together at one place. Even those living abroad come home for a month, stay in the city to be with their parents and other relatives. It's a time of giving and receiving and it is also a time for sharing and caring," said a priest. Christmas is also the time when many more joyous events are planned.
Most Christian weddings of the next season are planned around this time, elders of the community said.
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