Udupi : The Christmas Eve celebrated at Milagres Cathedral, Kallianpur with much devotion and vigor which Solemn High Mass concelebrated by His Lordship Most Rev Dr. Gerald Isaac Lobo, Bishop of Udupi Diocese along with Very Rev Fr. Staby B. Lobo Rector of the Cathedral, Rev Fr. Rollwin Aranha Asst. Parish Priest of Milagres Cathedral, Rev Fr. Denis Lobo Superior of Pilar Fathers, Kallianpur.

The Christmas eve celebrations started at 7 pm with Christmas carols singing in an outstanding choir of the Cathedral. The Solemn High Mass began at 7.30 pm.

During his homily, Bishop said that the world waited to the arrival of Jesus Christ, which was the light of the world. God is Emmanuel, is with us. He was the person of the God who gives peace in the earth. Peace and Harmony are two faces of one coin. Jesus brought the peace to the world. Christmas is where we find the Christ of God intersecting with humanity. Christmas we might never have known the intensity of the love that God has for us. Christmas is the living promise that we are never ever alone. No matter where in life, no matter where we are in life, no matter in what condition we find ourselves, no matter how far we might stray away or how unfaithful we are, God, the supreme lover, will pursue us in love for eternity.

Pope Francis has called on Catholics around the world to use the ongoing Jubilee year of a mercy to open wide the doors of their hearts to forgive others. Therefore, Udupi diocese has been given various seminars to pastoral council members on divine mercy of the Lord, he said.

At the end of the mass, Very Rev Fr. Stany B. Lobo gave his gratitude words on account of Christmas celebrations. Bishop also gave his message to parishioners as well as diocesan people on the occasion.

After the mass, ICYM organized housie housie programme and auctioned beautiful Christmas cake for the benefit of ICYM which compared by Shiny Rodrigues.

The large number of faithful flocked to Christmas eve celebration at Milagres Cathedral with devotion and vigor