Udupi welcomes 2019 with celebrations and prayers
Udupi: At the stroke of midnight, the city’s skies were lit up with fireworks in many places, revellers were wishing each other, groups of youngsters stopped on the roadsides for selfies, and partying continued in hotels and clubs. The Udupi city welcomed 2019 with celebrations and prayers.
Several leading restaurants, hotels, and bakeries were open till midnight. Colourful lights lit up several temples and churches in the city. Prayers were held in churches at night and temples were gearing up to open early in the morning.
The New Year Eve mass was celebrated with devotion, at Milagres Cathedral, Kallianpur, diocese of Udupi here, on December 31.
The evening liturgy started with Adoration of the Holy Sacrament from 6:30 pm to 7:30 pm led by Fr Canute Noronha assistant parish priest of the Cathedral.
The Vigil Solemnity Eucharistic mass was concelebrated by Rev Dr Gerald Isaac Lobo, Bishop of Udupi Diocese along with Fr Lawrence D’Souza the Rector of Milagres Cathedral, Fr Canute Noronha assistant parish priest of the Cathedral, Fr Lancy Saldanha principal of Milagres English School and Fr Jos Mascharenhas superior of Pilar Fathers.
In his homily, Fr Lancy Saldanha pointed out the role of Mother Mary with the Jesus, the Son of God. “Mother Mary is the bridge of God’s relation and through her, we start this New Year. We should seek help and guidance from Mother Mary as she never neglects our prayers. We should be thankful to the Lord Almighty that Mother Mary is the patroness of our parish as well as our diocese. It is time to look back, with thanksgiving, but also look forward to a new future,” Fr Lancy said.
At the end of the mass, Dr Gerald Isaac Lobo, Bishop of Udupi inaugurated the Diocese level Year of Youth by unveiling the Logo and conveyed wishes on the occasion of New Year 2019.
A large number of faithful participated in the New Year’s Vigil services and conveyed their wishes and wished each other on the occasion.
The police intensified patrolling and kept a strict vigil on Monday night to avoid untoward incidents. The police had warned against illegal sale of liquor and asked the party organizers to take precautions to ensure that no untoward incidents take place.