mangalore today

Mamouth Udyavara church opening April 28


Mangalore Today News Network

Udupi, April 22, 2016 : Udyavara Catholic church near Udupi, newly-built will be inaugurated and dedicated on April 28 2016, Thursday.In a release to ’Mangalore Today’, Parish Priest Rev Fr Dr Roque D’Souza said Bishop of Udupi Most Rev Dr Gerald I Lobo will preside over the blessing ritual of the new church and the Holy Mass. Bishop of Gulburga Most Rev Dr Robert Miranda will preach the homily and concelebrate.


Udyavara church


Rt Rev. Dr Gerald D’Almeida, a native of Udyavara and presently the Bishop of Jabalpur diocese, will inaugurate the new church by opening the main carved doors.

This church, constructed at a cost of Rs 4.5 crore is the fruit of the efforts of generous people. At least 5,000 people are expected to grace the the inaugural ceremony. The new church has captured  attention of churcu lovers, the installation of 12 foot tall, weather proof,  fiber glass statue of Christ the Redeemer, on the top of the 105 foot high dome.

Besides, the niches above windows and doors are decorated with beautiful stained glasses scenes depicting many Biblical themes, 14 Stations of the Cross and 20 Mysteries of the Rosary is part of the structure. Two large oil paintings in the front of  depict life and the mission of St Francis Xavier, the Patron of this Church. The main altar of the former church with its Corinthian columns is finely fitted into the new sanctuary of the church. Church nave has a single giant fan and the walls are mounted with wooden panels for better sound effects. With a "U" shape balcony, the whole church provides seats for minimum 900 people with pews.

He said the new church stands on the same location of the original church built in 1909. The first church was built in 1866 at Melpete, near rock temple. The old church was constructed by Mgr Raymond Francis Mascarenhas, the first parish priest with support of the people. He is now the first Konkani catholic to be placed on the road to sainthood in the catholic church from the Diocese of Mangalore, which also included the present udupi diocese.

 The dome imitates the features of the dome of St Peter’s Basilica in Vatican (near to Rosario cathedral in M’luru). It is a miniature sky above the earth and symbolises the communication between humans on earth with God in heaven.

The church also has a new Bell Tower, 10 KV solar power production unit and seven pits for harvesting rain water around church. The government has announced Rs 50 lakh. While Rs 25 lakh has been released. Urban Development Minister Vinay Kumar Sorake, MP Shobha Karandlaje, Udupi MLA Pramodh Madhwaraj, Minister for Health U T Khader, MLC Ivan D’Souza, Oscar Fernandes and many dignitaries are expected to  take pa-rt in the inaugural on April 28, 2016.