Novena begins for annual feast of Kalmadi Church
Pics by Praveen, Sany Digital Kalmadi
Udupi: The nine days novena services for the preparation of the Annual Feast of the Our Lady of Velankani at Stella Maris church, Kalmadi near Malpe began on Saturday, August 6.
The Novena service was inaugurated by Fr Wilson Vitus D’Souza Parish Priest of Bejai Church by hoisting the Shrine flag. A Large number of Devotees of Mother Velankani participated in the celebration of the Eucharist as well as the first day of Novena.
Fr Alban D’Souza Parish Priest of the Church, Flavia D’Souza vice president, Sanjay Andrade Secretary of Parish Pastoral council and Fr Denis Castelino were present.
The annual feast of the shrine will be held on 15th August for which the Bishop of Udupi Diocese Dr Gerald Isaac Lobo will be the chief celebrant of the Eucharistic Mass at 10:30 am.
Masses will also be held at 7:00 a.m. (Konkani), 4:00 a.m. (Kannada) and 6:00 p.m. (English). There will be a procession of the offerings (Hore Kanike) on 13th August from Adi Udupi from 2:30 p.m. onwards to the Shrine. Food will be served to all devotees after the festive mass.
The shrine of Our Lady of Vailankanni in the parish of Stella Maris (which means “Star of the Sea”) is located on the way to the Malpe beach. Stella Maris was a chapel built by the efforts of late Father Charles D’Souza in February 1972. But later on January 1, 1991 it became a full-fledged church.
