Devotees in Large Numbers Throng Attur Basilica Annual Feast on 3rd Day
Karkala: On the third day of the five-day-long annual festival of St Lawrence Minor Basilica, devotees of St Lawrence have been pouring to the shrine to offer prayers and attend Holy Masses offered round the clock for the benefit of the pilgrims. Though the rush of the devotees was moderate in the forenoon, as the day progressed more and more devotees found their way to the shrine. Besides attending the Holy masses, pilgrims were found standing in the queue to venerate the relic of St Lawrence and the Miraculous Statue of the saint. Moreover, a visit to the Pushkarini Pond has been a must to the pilgrims who believe that the water of the Pond has miraculous character.
Holy masses in Kannada language were conducted by the Bishop of Puttur, Dr Jeevarghese Mar Makarios Kalayil and Bishop of Shivamogga Dr Francis Serrao. Special prayers are being offered for the sick and at the end of every Holy Mass, priests lay their palms on each and every devotee and prayed for their good health.
Besides the Holy Masses by the Bishops in Kannada, Masses in Konkani were offered by Fr Canute Noronha of Kallianpur, Fr John Mendonca from Tallur, Fr Leslie D’Souza from Santekatte-Kallianpur, Fr Anil D’Souza from Perampalli, Fr Vishal Lobo from Pilar, Fr Ferdinand Gonsalves from Shankerpura and Fr Vijay D’Souza from Kundapur. Fr Richard Paes from Kabale-Shivamogga and Fr Maikari Marie from Hassan offered Masses in Kannada.
Former Central Minister and Rajya Sabha Member Oscar Fernandes along with his family visited the Basilica and participated in the Holy Eucharistic celebrations. MLC Ivan D’Souza, Former Ministers Ramanath Rai, Vinay Kumar Sorake and Pramod Madhwaraj also visited the shrine and lighted candles in front of the statue of St. Lawrence and paid their respect to the saint of miracles.
On the fourth day of the festivities on Wednesday, 29 January, there will be 11 Holy masses. At 10:30 am, Bishop of Udupi Diocese Dr Gerald Isaac Lobo will concelebrate the solemn Feast Mass in Konkani. In the evening at 5:30 pm, Bishop of Belthangady Dr Mukkhuzzi will offer solemn Feast Mass in Kannada. Besides, there will be Masses in Konkani at 7:00 am, 8:30 am, 2:30 pm, 4:00 pm, 7:00 pm, 10:00 pm and 11:30 pm. At 1:00 pm and 8:30 pm, there will be Masses in Kannada.
