Mangaluru, Jan 10, 2016: At 8 am this morning the Bishop of Mangaluru Rev Aloysius Paul D’Souza, concelebrated a well attended solemn Eucharistic mass. As the day of the religious (priests and nuns) was being observed the emphasis was on their mission. The Vicar of the Cathedral Rev. J B Crasta and Rev Pius D’Souza OCD Episcopal Vicar for the Religious assisted.
After the mass statues of St.Joseph Vaz (Served here 1681-84) and St Mariam Baouardy (served here 1870-72), two dedicated religious who served here were permanently installed at the main foyer entrance of the the Rosario Cathedral. Both the new saints were canonized in 2015, they lived and worshiped at Rosario church, Mangaluru.
Several priests and nuns from the area were present along with the faithful. The Bishop in his homily highlighted the coming of Christ to earth and the development of Christianity in Mangaluru. He expressed appreciation for the work done by various groups of priests and nuns and the committed services rendered to people without difference in many spheres. Their dedicated services were always tailored to the needs of the needy and they served with great commitment. He exhorted them to continue and blessings of the Lord was theirs always.
Brief Recap of the two saints who resided in Rosario Mangaluru:
St Joseph Vaz: Was ’Vicar of Canara’ from 1681 to 1684. During his stay the saint Vaz undertook a series of missionary activities in Canara especially in Mangaluru. He is said to have renovated Rosario Church in his times. He later went to Ceylon and is known as Apostle of Sri Lanka. Pope Francis canonized Joseph Vaz on January 14, 2015 in Colombo, Sri Lanka.
St. Mariam Baouardy: With other two cloistered Carmel nuns and three Apostolic Carmel nuns landed at Bunder, Mangaluru from France on November 19, 1870, via Madras, Vellore and Calicut. The then Bishop Marie Ephrem welcomed them officially at Rosario Cathedral. Sr. Mariam Baouardy left Mangaluru on September 23, 1872. Pope John Paul II beatified here on November 13, 1983 and Pope Francis canonized her on May 17, 2015. An event marked in the city.
Tele Film to be released/screened: This evening, Jan 10 Sunday at 6 pm, the first Kannada Tele film on Saint St Joseph Vaz produced and directed by Vinod Gangolli, with several local people participating will be released at the Rosario grounds. Bishop Rev Aloysius Paul D’Souza will preside over the function. Msgr Denis Moras Prabhu, Vicar General, J R Lobo, MLA Mangaluru City South will be the chief guests.