Udupi Diocese holds Annual Eucharistic Procession with Devotion
Udupi: The annual Diocesan Eucharistic Procession organized on the feast of Christ the King evoked a devotional response from nearly two thousand five Hundred Catholics representing 52 parishes of the Udupi Diocese on Sunday, 24 November at Kallianpur.
During the Homily the Bishop said that Jesus Christ came to the world not expecting service from anyone but to serve humanity. He served humanity to the extent of sacrificing Himself on the Cross. He never extended His physical kingdom in this world but redeemed humankind from sin. Jesus Christ desired to establish the kingdom of peace and everyone has the responsibility of fulfilling His desire.
The mass was followed by the solemn Eucharistic Procession. The brass band led the procession followed by the Cross and candle bearers. The Bishop held the Blessed Sacrament that was rested on a pedestal fitted on a decorated vehicle. The procession moved through the Milagres Cathedral, Ozanum House, Goretti Hospital and Culumiatated at Mount Rosary Church Ground Santhekatte.
Having returned from the procession, Fr Melville Roy Lobo, assistant parish priest of St. Lawrence Minor Basilica, Attur-Karkala read a passage from the Gospel and delivered the key homily highlighting the importance of the Eucharist and its evolution by citing a number of examples and events from both the Old and New Testaments. Fr Melville said that the Eucharist is the symbol of unity, sacrifice and forgiveness. True love is manifested through loving the neighbours and Jesus Christ had shown that kind of love through His sacrifice on the Cross. The Eucharist is the light of our hope and those who have faith in this Sacrament will never be let down.
Bishop Gerald Isaac Lobo dedicated the Diocese of Udupi to Christ the King through the prayer of dedication.
In his message, Bishop Dr Gerald Isaac Lobo expressed gratitude to all those who have helped in organizing the Diocesan Eucharistic Procession in a grand and meaningful manner. The Bishop announced that 2020 will be observed as a special year in Udupi Diocese during which a programme of providing homes for the homeless would be implemented by raising funds from different parishes. This project will be supervised by the Vincent DePaul Society.
Along with the faithful from 52 parishes of the Udupi Diocese, more than 45 priests and around 100 religious women participated in the procession.
Vicar General of Udupi Diocese Msgr. Baptist Menezes, Chancellor Fr Stany B. Lobo, Dean of Karkala Deanery Fr Joswey Fernandes and Dean of Udupi Deanery Fr Valerian Mendonca, parish priest of Mount Rosary Church Santekatte Fr Lesley D’Souza, assistant parish priest of Milagres Cathedral Fr Canute Aranha, Rector of St. Lawrence Minor Basilica Fr George D’Souza and other priests were present.
Secretary of Senate of Udupi Diocese Fr Anil Prakash delivered the vote of thanks.