Kalmady Parish celebrates feast of Our Lady of Vailankanni

Kalmady Parish celebrates feast of Our Lady of Vailankanni

Mangalore Today News Network

UDUPI, Aug 16, 2011 :  The feast of Our Lady of Vailankanni was celebrated on Aug 15, 2011 at the Church of Stella Maris, Kalmady. A large number of devotees from far and near participated in the event.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Rev. Fr. Fred Mascarenhas, the dean of Udupi Deanery, celebrated the mass with Bishop of Mangalore Diocese Rt. Rev. Dr. Aloysius Paul D’Souza and many other priests. Just before the festive mass, the bishop was received at the main entrance of the church by Fr. Joseph D’Souza SJ, the parish priest of Kalmady and Louis Lobo, the vice president of the Parish Pastoral Council.

Speaking of the significance of the festival, Rt. Rev. Dr. Aloysius Paul D’Souza said that there were three reasons to celebrate on Aug 15: first, it is the feast of the Assumption of Our Lady; second, it is the annual feast of the Lady of Vailankanni; and third, it is Independence Day.

At the end of the mass, a small book titled “Kalmady Poonsheth – Ek Zallak and Udupi Diesez – Ek Vichar,” written by Fr. Denis Castelino, who played an important role in starting the shrine between 1987 and 1994 was released by Mrs. Clothilda Rebello, the sister of late Fr. Charles D’Souza, the founder of Stella Maris Church at Kalmady.

Two masses—one in Malayalam and one in English—were held in the morning. A nine-day novena from Aug 6 to Aug 14 was held just before the feast. On Aug 13, the Hore Kanike was received for the annasantarpane on the feast day.

Devotees could be observed in large numbers praying, burning candles, and offering flowers. Just before the festive mass, candles of honor were distributed among the sponsors from Kalmady and its surrounding parishes.