Karkala: The Annual Feast of St Lawrence Church-Attur Karkala was celebrated with gaiety, with lakhs of people from all walks of life thronging the holy place for blessings.
Bishop of Bellary Diocese Dr Henry D’Souza concelebrated the Holy Eucharist of the annual feast of the Shrine of St Lawrence in Kannada on Tuesday, 26 evening.
Dr Eugine Joseph Bishop of Varanasi celebrated the English Mass at 4.30 pm.
A number of devotees from different corners of Karnataka and neighbouring states of South India had come to the Shrine. With great devotion and partook in the Holy Masses. The visitors were seen devoutly visiting the relic of St Lawrence, confessing their sins, visiting the pool at the shrine and receiving flowers and Holy water at the shrine. After every Mass there was a special prayer for the sick in Konkani as well as in Kannada language. A number of priests and deacons laid hands on the devotees and prayed for their health and happiness.
The Celebrations began on Sunday January 24 with the Confraternity Sunday Holy Eucharist at 7:30 am which will culminate with the Eucharistic Procession. On the same day two special masses were offered for the intention of the children at 11:00 am and 3:00 pm. On Monday 25 January two special masses were offered for the sick and the elderly at 10:00 am and 3:30 pm. A special prayer was offered for the healing and comforting of the sick and the elderly.
All together 48 Masses were scheduled during the festival this year in Kannada, English, Malayalam and Konkani languages. The main festival Mass on Wednesday, January 27 will be celebrated by Dr Aloysius Paul D’Souza the Bishop of Mangalore at 10:30 am. Dr Lawrence Mukkuzhy, the Bishop of Beltangady will celebrate the Malayalam Mass on Wednesday 27, at 8:00 am. The Giyad Mayechi Porob will be celebrated on Thursday January 28. Dr Gerald Isaac Lobo will celebrate the Konkani Mass at 10.30 am.