Udupi : The feast of Nativity of Blessed Virgin Mary celebrated at Milagres Cathedral, Kallianpur with devotion and gaiety on Sunday, September 8, 2019.

All devotees and children gathered at 8 am at in front of Virgin Mary Grotto prior to the Solemn mass, the reading from the Bible, blessings on paddy corns by Very Rev Dr. Lawrence C D’Souza Rector of Milagres Cathedral, and at the end of the blessings on paddy corns, colourful flowers offered to Infant Mary by large children with singing ‘Moriye Hogalsiyam’.

After the brief ceremony at in front of Grotto, large number of devotees proceeded towards Cathedral with high standard of discipline and prayers led by Brass Band, altar boys, faithful devotees, nuns and priests with the decorated statue of Infant Mary. However, most of the devotees seated in the Cathedral might be with the fear of raining.

The festive Solemn High Mass was concelebrated by the main celebrant of the mass, Very Rev Dr. Lawrence C D’Souza along with Rev Fr. Canute Noronha, Asst. parish priest and Rev Fr. John Bannet of Pilar Fathers community.

In his homily Fr, Canute Noronha pointed out the outcome of the family atmosphere earlier days and present days. Mother Mary is mother of God and Mother of us. Likewise, Mother Mary, where there is strong faith in our family, there is presence of God in our family always. Mother Mary listened to the good news from God and She followed the God though out Her life. She is the Salvation of Humanity. We, devotees of Mother Mary should respect the humanity as well.

Fr Canute said the Christian life involves a continuing, ongoing walk with the Lord, He has invited each of us into an intimate personal, exchange of love, a life of communion. This kind of intimacy with a living, loving God is the interior meaning of Mary, her magnificent and the example of her life.

At the end of the mass after announcement of Fr Canute, the firgent of the feast since decades Late Lazarus and Late Margaret D’Souza, Kote Road children, decorated candle given to one of the sons to honor by the Rector Very Rev Dr. Lawrence C D’Souza. Meanwhile, decorated candle also distributed to sponsors of the feast during the end of the mass. Scholarship also distributed to toppers of SSLC and PUC students. Prizes also distributed to winners’ of Milarchi Laram Bible Quiz competition.

National Award winner who won by parishioner Valentine D’Souza, DySP of Bhatkal was felicitated in the church during end of the mass by parish priest, asst parish priest, vice president of parish council Dr Nery Cornelio and secretary Felciana Lewis.

Fr. Lawrence distributed blessed paddy corns to Gurkars and all parishioners. Meanwhile Gurkars distributed the blessed paddy corns to the faithful at large.

ICYM members of the parish distributed blessed “Payasam” (Orne) to all participated parishioners. Sugarcane, sweets, juices, refreshments and stationery and other distributed to children.