Post centenary silver jubilee celebrations of Mangalore Diocese commence

Post centenary silver jubilee celebrations of Mangalore Diocese commence

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangalore, Feb 11: The first day of the post centenary silver jubilee celebrations of the Mangalore Diocese was held on the grounds of Rosario Cathedral on Feb 11 Saturday and was based on the theme “your own sons will be your ministers of salvation.” The Eucharistic celebration started at 4:00 p.m.

Dr. Savio Hon Tai-Fai, SDB, the secretary of the Congregation for the Evangelization of People, Vatican, Rome, presided over the event. Around 19 bishops, 425 priests, and a large number of devotees participated.

 

 

During the formal stage program held post mass, Archbishop of Bangalore Dr. Bernard Moras, who was the guest of honor on the occasion, said that the Catholic community of coastal Karnataka has become famous all over India for their contributions to education, banking, agriculture, and medicine and also for creating awareness on a wide range of social issues and launching developmental projects.

Oscar Fernandes, the Rajya Sabha MP, who was also the guest of honor, said that hard work is essential for the development of any organization and that the hard work of many is responsible for the fact that the Mangalore Diocese is today celebrating its post centenary silver jubilee. 

Dr. V. S. Acharya, the minister for higher education, also the guest of honor, stated that the entire nation has benefited from the Diocese of Mangalore. He also expressed his gratitude to the Catholic community for their service to society and their contribution to Kannada language. He also said that, of the Rs. 276 crore allotted for the development of the minorities, Rs. 50 crore is meant for Christian development.

Fr. Oswald Cardinal Gracias, the archbishop of Bombay, was the chief guest of the event.

 

A colourful cultural show formed part of this event, as part of which 9 families who had dedicated their children to religious life were honoured. Dr. Aloysius Paul D’Souza, the bishop of Mangalore Diocese, delivered the welcome address.

Among the prominent people present were Dr. Denis Moras Prabhu, the vicar general, Sushil Noronha, the heads of convents, mothers general, Sr. Agatha Mary, Sr. Vincent Mary, Sr Gilberta, Sr Maria Goretti, Sr. Dorin D’Souza, Sr. Philomena Rego, Sr. Prescilla D’Mello among others.

 

Felicitations

The Mother Generals (Past and Present) of various congregations, the families who have given all their children for religious life, Couples married for over 65 years, persons aged 100 years and above, MLA, MP and above Cadre of Mangalore origin, families which have contributed highest religious vocations were feliciatated on the occassion.

People who had received Papal honours Octavia Albuquerque, Louis Mendonca, Clarance Pais, Maria Margaret were felicitated on the occasion. Rev Msgr Edwin Pinto who has received the honour but was not present on the occasion was remembered.

Feb 12 Sunday will be celebrated as a day of thanksgiving, based on the theme “be witness to Jesus, build the kingdom of God,” at 4:00 p.m. on Nehru Maidan.