Udupi: The Feast of Nativity of Blessed Virgin Mary celebrated at the Milagres Cathedral with great fervor and gaiety. All Devotees and children gathered at 8 am., at near the main gate of the Cathedral prior to the Solemn mass. The reading from Bible, hymns and Paddy corns were blessed by Very Rev Fr. Stany B. Lobo Rector of the cathedral and at the end of the celebrations the colorful flowers offered to Infant Mary by large children with singing “Moriye Hogalsiyam”. Large number of devotees proceeded towards Cathedral with discipline and prayers led by brass band, alter boys, faithful devotees and priests with the decorated statue of Infant Mary.

Followed by the blessing of paddy corns, Solemn High Mass concelebrated by the main celebrant Very Rev Fr. Henry Mascarenhas Diocesan Estate Manager and Chaplain of Ozanum Home for the Aged, Very Rev Fr. Stany B. Lobo, Rev Fr. Rolwin Aranha Asst parish priest, Rev Fr. Prakash Anil Castelino Campus Director of Milagres College and Rev Fr. Nelson Furtado Vocation Director of Pilar Fathers, Kallianppur.

In his homily Fr. Henry briefed the history of celebration of the Mother Mary Birthday and life of Mother Mary during her earlier years and her role in the holy family. Mother Mary listened to the good news from God and she followed the God through out her life. She is the Salvation of Humanity. We, the devotees of Mother Mary should respect the humanity as well. Mother Mary is the role model for our family and so we also called this festival “Family Festival” which earlier days used to dine our meal with a huge family. Now the time has been changed. We should respect our elders and our parents, so that God will bless us abundantly.

At the end of the mass after announcement by the parish priest, the firgent of the feast since decades Late Lazarus and Margaret D’Souza Kote Road children, decorated candle given to one of the sons to honor. The new paddy blessed corns distributed by the parish pastoral council members to the devotees gathered very large numbers for the celebration of mass.

Fr. Stany also blessed the “Payasam” (Orne) which donated by ICYM of the parish unit led by Rohan D’Souza. All devotees were conveyed festival wishes themselves after the mass. Payasam and refreshment distributed by the ICYM members of the faithful who attended in large numbers. Meanwhile, various types of refreshment, sweets, stationeries and other distributed to the children as well as for youths. Sugarcanes distributed to all the devotees after the mass.

Brief get together was organized at Milagres Tri-centenary Hall by the sponsors of the feast. During the occasion scholarships and Prathiba Purashkar distributed to toppers of the previous academic year for the Milagreans Educational Institutions