Milagres Parish Feast celebrated after 40 years

Milagres Parish Feast celebrated after 40 years

Mangalore Today News Network

The church has collapsed thrice, and each time a more magnificent structure replaced the old

It was first built in 1680 on land given as inam by Queen Chennammal

The present structure was built in 1911 to resemble St. Peter’s Basilica

Mangalore, October 14: As the 330-year-old Milagres Parish celebrates the centenary year of the present church structure dedicated to ‘Our Lady of Miracles’ at Hampankatta, touching upon its chequered past full of ups and downs makes for a fascinating study.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A church was first built at the site in 1680 by Bishop Thomas De Castro, who secured the land as “Inam” from Queen Chennamal. Since then, it has collapsed thrice and each time a greater, more magnificent structure replaced the old.

The glory years of this ancient parish started exactly 100 years ago (1911) with the construction of the present structure, which was built by Msgr. Frank Pereira with the help of architect Fr. S.J. Diamanti, who also built the famous Jeppu Seminary.

“The Milagres Church was built to resemble the St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome,” says Fr. William Fernandez a parish priest.Today, the church, with its splendid monolithic marble altar and intricately crafted statues, is regarded as one of the most artistic houses of prayer in the region and attracts lakhs of devotees, historians and tourists each year.

To mark the centenary year, the Parish Pastoral Council and the centenary celebrations committee have chalked out a year-long plan of activities and projects to reach out to the less fortunate.“Our objective for this year is to build not only families in our parish but also to strengthen the family spirit of the parish,” said Walter D’Mello, the parish priest.

The committee also organised a three-day Parish Feast, which culminated with a Solemn Thanksgiving Mass on Wednesday. This is the first such feast in 40 years.

“Earlier, Parish Feasts used to be annual features,” Mr. D’Mello said.

Thehindu