Udupi: Bishop Gerald Isaac Lobo’s memorable ‘Pura Pravesha’ accompanied by grand procession

By Dr. Eugene DSouza, Moodubelle
Bellevision Media Network

Udupi, 17 Oct 2012: The city of Udupi witnessed the sight that  was amazing and filled with reverence as the first Bishop of the newly erected Udupi Dioces, Most Rev. Dr. Gerald Isaac Lobo made a grand entry into the city on his way to his official residence at the Church of Our Lady of Sorrows on Wednesday, October 17, 2012.

 

Having been formally installed on October 15, 2012 as the fist Bishop of the Udupi Diocese at the Milagres Cathedral Ground, Bishop Gerald Lobo  chose Wednesday, October 17 to occupy his official residence and office at the Church of Our Lady of Sorrows, Udupi. With this view elaborate preparations were made and people from different parishes of the diocese were asked to assemble at Karavali Junction so that a befitting welcome could be accorded to the new Bishop by organizing the ‘Pura Pravesha’ through a grand procession.

 

 

Over 4,000 people had assembled at the Karavali Junction by 5 pm. As the people lined up on the road according to their assigned precedence, Bishop Gerald Lobo arrived at the junction sharp at 5pm. He was welcomed  in a traditional Konkani way by a couple wearing traditional dress and offering jaggery, water and betel leaves and nuts. Thereafter, the Bishop was received by Rev. Fr. Fred Mascarenhas, parish priest of Our Lady of Sorrows Church and the assistant parish priest by garlanding him. Thereafter, the Bishop ascended the specially prepared open van accompanied by Rev. Fr. Fred Mascarenhas as the bands played loud music and fire crackers were burst.

 

The procession moved slowly towards the city  for the grand ‘Pura Pravesha’. Continuous announcement  was made through the mobile sound system about the erection of the new diocese, appointment of Rev. Dr. Gerald Isaac Lobo as the first Bishop and his vision. There were little children with white dresses showering petals on the path of the procession. Stree Sanghattan women were seen in uniform sarees  representing their respective parish units. There were also men in dhoti and white shirts. Hence, the entire procession was quite colourful and majestic. There was utmost discipline throughout the procession route. The police had made elaborate arrangements for the smooth flow of the traffic and also to prevent any untoward incident.

 

As the procession passed through Kidiyur Hotel, all the participants were offered cold drink sponsored by the Kidiyur Hotel management. When the open van of the Bishop reached Kidiyur Hotel, its proprietor  welcomed the Bishop by offering him garland. As the Bishop’s van reached the service bus stand, political and community  leaders offered garlands to the Bishop.
A large number of people had gathered on the sides of the road to witness the grand ‘Pura Pravesha’ of Bishop Gerald Lobo. At the Udupi  Municipal Council Office, the President of the council, Kiran Kumar and  the chief officer Bhandary offered garlands  to the Bishop.

 

 

The procession reached the church at around 6.20 pm. At the main entrance of the Church of Our Lady of Sorrows, Rev. Fr. Stany Tauro and Rev. Fr. Anil D’Souza, Deans of Sirva and Kundapur Varados respectively welcomed the new Bishop with garlands.

 

People had gathered in the courtyard of the church leaving a narrow passage for the Bishop to enter the church. As the Bishop passed through, the children showered flower petals on him and people greeted him with great reverence. At the entrance of the Church, Rev. Fr. Baptist Menezes, Epsicopal Vicar of Udupi welcomed the Bishop with a garland. Oscar Fernandes who had been in Udupi along with his wife also welcomed the Bishop.

 

Entering the church, the Bishop knelt before the main altar and prayed.  The adoration of the Blessed Sacrament followed next as Rev. Fr. Fred Mascarenhas installed the Sacrament and incensed. The prayer service continued culminating in the blessing of the Sacrament.

 

 

As the people left the church, they were offered cakes and cold drinks. It is with a great sense of pride of having their own diocese and a devout, spiritual and service oriented Bishop, people went to their homes with hopes in their hearts and prayers on their lips that God bless the new diocese and their beloved Bishop, Most Rev. Dr. Gerald Isaac Lobo who  will be residing at Udupi and administering the New Diocese of Udupi.

 

The arrangement of the procession for the ’Pura Pravesha’ was supervised by the Parish pastoral Council of Our Lady of Sorrows Church and Prof. Vincent Alva.