Despite Heavy Rains Huge crowd of Devotees witness ‘Car Procession’ of Our Lady of Velankanni at Kalmady
Udupi: Despite the heavy rains, a large number of devotees took part in the car procession which was held as a preparation of the Annual Feast of Our Lady of Velankanni Pilgrimage Center, Kalmady on Monday, August 13.
In his introductory remarks, parish priest of the church Fr Alban D’Souza explained the importance of the Car procession. This procession recreated the memory of a similar procession 30 years ago when the statue of Our Lady of Velankanni was brought ceremoniously to the shrine from the Mother of Sorrows Church Udupi.
Fr Walter D’Mello Judicial Vicar of Udupi Diocese blessed the statue of Our Lady of Velankanni prior to the procession. MLA of Udupi, Raghupathi Bhat flagged off the procession at Adi-Udupi.
Speaking on the occasion Raghupathi Bhat said, “Today I have got the opportunity to flag off the Car procession of the Our Lady of Velankanni. The Kalmady Church is popularly known as the fisherman’s Church. The Church has not only Christian devotees but also people from the Hindu community visit the church and offer prayers. I too visit this church every year during the New Year celebrations”.
Raghupathi Bhat further said, “Udupi district is known for Communal Harmony. Here the people of every religion live peacefully. Let us all work together to continue to live with the same communal harmony,” he said.
After the procession, the adoration was conducted. The Eucharistic Mass was celebrated by Fr Walter D’Mello Judicial Vicar of Udupi Diocese.
The Church Parish Pastoral Council Vice-president Sanjay Andrade and Secretary Shobha Mendonca were also present.
The annual feast of Our Lady of Velankanni at Stella Maris Church will be celebrated at Kalmady near Malpe on August 14 and 15.
On August 14, Dr Henry D’Souza Bishop of Bellary Diocese will offer the main mass at 4:00 pm. Thereafter there will be a mass in Kannada at 6:00 pm.
Dr Gerald Isaac Lobo, Bishop of Udupi Catholic Diocese, will be the chief celebrant of the mass at 10:00 am, on August 15. Masses in other languages will be at 7:00 am (Konkani), 12:00 pm (Konkani), 4:00 am (Kannada) and 6:00 pm (English). Food will be served to all devotees on the feast day.
