Special Prayers for Sick Mark Second Day Annual Feast of Attur Basilica
Karkala: On January 28 the second day of the Annual feast of St Lawrence Basilica Attur, Karkala special prayers were offered for the sick and those suffering from various disorders.
Rev Dr Robert Miranda Bishop of Gulbarga Diocese concelebrated the special mass for the sick in the evening.
In his homily, Bishop Dr Robert Miranda highlighted the martyrdom of St Lawrence by giving a number of examples and said that the church has been strengthened by the blood of such martyrs right from the early days of Christianity till date. He said that faith is like the fire that should be kept burning in our hearts so that it would never diminish our trust in God. St Lawrence gives us an opportunity to follow his life and understand his sacrifice as a martyr, he said.
On the second day of the feast, a total of 7 masses including 6 in Konkani and one in Kannada were offered in the shrine. The first Konkani mass was held at 8:00 am in the morning by Fr Henry Mascarenhas and Alexander Lewis. The Kannada mass was offered by Fr Vinus Martis of Shivamogga Diocese. The second day’s last mass was held at 9:00 pm. Fr Abraham D’Souza Director of Mulki Divine Retreat center offered special prayers for the sick.
The Basilica was filled with vehicles and ambulances which brought sick people from different corners of the state. Priests prayed with their hands on the sick people.
On Tuesday, January 29 Rev Dr Peter Machado Archbishop of Bengaluru Arch Diocese will celebrate the feast mass at 6:00 pm.
From Sunday morning onwards Dr Gerald Isaac Lobo Bishop of Udupi Diocese has been staying in the Basilica to coordinate and conduct the feast activities in a smooth manner.