Annual Feast Of Attur Basilica Begins With Confraternity Sunday
Karkala: The annual feast celebrations of St Lawrence Basilica Attur, Karkala began with celebrating the confraternity Sunday with traditional joy and gaiety on January 26.
Dr Gerald Isaac Lobo Bishop of Udupi Diocese concelebrated the confraternity Sunday Eucharist with Fr George D’Souza Rector of the Basilica, Roy Melville Lobo assistant priest and other guest priests.
Soon after the mass, Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament was conducted by Fr Venus Colaco of Shivamogga Diocese. Following the Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, the grand Eucharistic procession commenced. The brass band playing tunes of various hymns led the procession. The choir sang the Eucharistic hymns throughout the procession both in Konkani and Kannada. The procession started from the church and culminated at the Attur Yuvakamandala Stage where Fr Venus Colaco conferred the Sacramental blessings.
The annual feast of St Lawrence Basilica will be held on 26, 27, 28, 29 and 30 January 2020. On Sunday there were special masses for the children at 2:30 and 4:30 pm. At 6:30 pm Bishop Emeritus of Mangaluru Diocese Dr Aloysius Paul D’Souza celebrated the festive mass. At 10:30 pm ‘Christa Karunya’ puppet Yakshagana will be presented.
Prior to the morning mass, the Udupi Bishop Gerald Isaac Lobo blessed the monolithic statue which has been installed in the Pushkarani Pond. This is unique in the entire world. Earlier such a statue was installed in Rome.
On Monday, January 27, special prayers will be held for the sick and elderly at 10:00 am and 3:30 pm. Dr Anthony Swamy the Bishop of Chikkamagaluru Diocese will preside over the special mass at 6:00 pm.
During the annual feast, there will be 34 masses in Konkani and 14 in Kannada totalling 48 masses. During these days Bishops from Shivamogga, Belthangady, Chikkamagaluru, Puttur, Mangalore and Udupi will offer solemn feast masses.
For the security of the pilgrims, 64 CC Cameras have been installed in the premises of the Basilica. On the right side of the Basilica, arrangements have been made for the Confession of Catholics. Inside the church is reserved for prayers only. Arrangements will be made to accept petitions in the form of money, items and candles on the left side of the Basilica.