Mangalore, January 24: The three day festival of the renowned Shrine of St Lawrence in Attur- Karkal began on Tuesday January 24, with the first Mass at 9.30 a.m. that was celebrated by Fr Cincent Crasta of Manela Parish. Rev. Fr Arthur Pereira the Shrine director welcomed the devotees to the annual festival 2012.
'Let us enliven our faith, Let us build the church' is the theme of the annual shrine festival this year according to Fr Arthur Pereira the shrine director. As members of the church or as believers we need to keep our faith alive with spirit filled lives. The historical shrine of St Lawrence at Attur-Karkal fills the devotees with spirit of God and it helps them to live their faith life. The theme is chosen on the occasion of the post centenary silver jubilee of the establishment of the Diocese of Mangalore. St Lawrence shrine is a part of the said diocese.
Number of devotees from different corners of Karnataka and neighbouring states of south India have come into the Shrine. With great devotion they are partaking in the Holy Masses. The visitors are seen devoutly visiting the relic of St Lawrence, confessing their sins, and visiting the pool at the shrine and receiving flowers and holy water in the shrine. After every Mass there is a special prayer for the sick in Konkanni and Kannada languages. Number of priests are laying hands on the devotees and are praying for health and happiness of the devotees.
All together there are 29 Masses during the festival this year in Kannada and Konkanni languages. There will be 9 masses on the first day, 12 masses on the second day and 7 masses on the last day which is celebrated as the 'Guiding Mother Festival' (Giadh mayechi porob). The last mass would be at 5.30 p.m. on Thursday.
Very Rev. Fr Francis Serrao the Provincial of Karnataka Jesuit Province would be celebrating the special Mass in Kannada at 6.00 p.m. on Tuesday. Msgr Denis Moras Prabhu, the Vicar General of the Diocese of Mangalore will be celebrating mass at 8.30 a.m. on Wednesday.
The main festival Mass on Wednesday, January 25 will be celebrated by Most Rev. Dr Aloysius Paul D'Souza the Bishop of Mangalore at 10.00 a.m. On Thursday, January 26 the festival Mass of 'Giyadh Mai' would be celebrated by Very Rev. Fr Henry Sequeira, the Chancellor of the diocese of Mangalore.
On Monday, January 24, there was a special Mass for the sick and special prayers for the sick by Fr Andrew D'Souza, the parish priest of St Lawrence Church, Bondel.
According to Fr Arthur Pereira the Shrine director the devotees come in lacks to this Shrine with different reasons. To be cured of the mental-physical sicknesses, to experience the quietness of prayer, to experience the peace amidst the number of tensions of life, to thank the Lord for the favours received, to receive the blessings from God etc and etc.
This year huge crowds are expected even on the third day being a public holiday.
Number of arrangements have been made systematically to cater to the needs of the devotees. The Director, Parish Vice President John D'Silva, local Panchayat Administration, police and administrative services, Attur parishioners, Karkala Deanery Catholic Sabha, diocesan as well as religious priests, sisters and lay leaders have joined hands to make the festival a great success.
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