Udupi: The Feast of Nativity of Blessed Virgin Mary celebrated at the Milagres Cathedral, Kallianpur with great fervor and gaiety on Friday, 8th September, 2017.

All devotees and children gathered at 8 am near the main gate of the Cathedral prior to the Solemn mass. The reading from the Bible, hymns and paddy corns were blessed by Very Rev Fr. Stany B. Lobo Rector of Milagres Cathedral and at the end of the celebration the colourful flowers offered to Infant Mary by large children with singing ‘Moriye Hogalsiyam’. After the brief ceremony at the entrance of the cathedral, large number of devotees proceeded towards Cathedral with high standard of discipline and prayers led by Sunshine Brass band, altar boy, faithful devotees, nuns and priests with the decorated statue of Infant Mary.

Followed by the disciplined procession to the Cathedral, the Solemn High Mass was concelebrated by the main celebrant of the Mass, Rev Fr. Nelson Furtado, Vocational Director of Pilar Fathers, Kallianpur, Very Rev Fr. Stany B. Lobo Rector and Rev Fr. Rolwin Aranha Asst parish priest.

In his homily Fr. Nelson Furtado pointed out the outcome of the family atmosphere earlier days and present days. All over the world the celebration of Birthday of Mother Mary celebrated with great fervor by the catholic world. But in coastal Karnataka especially in Mangaluru and Udupi, the feast of Nativity of Mother Mary celebrated with giving importance to the family and indeed it is the feast of family. It is the feast of awaiting, it is the feast of thanksgiving by the farmers, it is the feast of girls of India, it is the feast of starting new season in India.

Mother Mary is the mother of God and Mother of us. In our family we are giving respect and honor to our parents and all members. But the interference along with the whole family now reduced and hence the touch with the family drastically decreases. The parents should attach with their children as well as the family members. But the scenario has been completely changed due to various obvious reasons in fact. The families are in danger. The impact of faith in our family completely changed due to world atmosphere of everything. he said.
The days are come to forget the faith of God. Where there is strong faith in our family, there the presence of God always be there. There is no scope to spent little time to the prayer. The impact of global development and technology which would be effecting in our family and hence we face severe problems in our children and the family as a whole, he said.

At the end of the mass, Fr Stany B. Lobo placed the important announcements and gave honour to the main firgent sponsor of the celebration of the feast late Lazarus and Margaret D’Souza family member with decorated candle.

Meanwhile late Lazarus and fly presented scholarships to meritorious SSLC and higher degree students. Under the leadership of Catholic Sabha as usual, the Prathiba Puraskar to toppers of students from Ist standard to tenth students of both English medium and Kannanda medium.

All devotes were conveyed festival wishes themselves after the mass. Paysam (Worne) and refreshments were distributed by the ICYM members. The various sweets and chocolates distributed by the ICYM and other donours.

The sponsors of the feast were organized brief get together at Milagres Tri-centenary Hall and brief breakfast given to the invitees.