Mangalore: Eucharistic Procession mark Frad Saib Divas Celebration at Cordel Parish

By Robert D’Costa
Pics by Spoorthi Ullal
Bellevision Media Network

Mangalore, 13 Dec 2013: The Holy Cross parish, Cordel, here celebrated 136th death anniversary of French missionary Fr Alexander Duboi, popularly known as Frad Saib at Garden of Gethsemane in the church premises here on Wednesday December 11 at 5.00pm.

 
Jeppu – St Antony’s Orphanage director Fr Onil D’Souza, concelebrated the Eucharistic Celebration along with Cordel parish priest Fr Valerian Pinto, assistant parish priests Fr Vishal Monis and Fr Roshan D’Souza, St Aloysius education institutions rector Fr Denzel Lobo, and several clergies on the occasion.

 

Fr Denzel and Fr Onil released the special issue of Cordel parish monthly bulletin ‘Cordelchen Zaith’ to commemorate its silver jubilee celebration at the beginning of Holy Mass.  The former parish priest Fr Elias D’Souza launched the bulletin in 1988.

 

Earlier, Fr Valerian Pinto blessed the newly-erected stage at Garden of Gethsemane that was laid with the contributions of Cordel parish choir.  The Holy Eucharist was offered unto the Lord on the same stage. 

 

Fr Pinto distributed the blessed candles to the donors and sponsors of mega event.

 

 

 

Fr Onil in his homily, emphasized on the devout life led by French missionary Frad Saib at not so developed Cordel parish and his zeal for Holy Eucharist in saving every soul when at the deathbed.  He also narrated martyrdom of a Chinese girl when she adored the Holy Sacrament for an hour daily till 32 days.  The soldiers held the bishop in house arrest after ransacking the tabernacle, and the girl in compassion to Holy Eucharist was barbarously killed by the soldiers.  The Christian community has the powerful means to adore Holy Sacrament in order intercede for all trials and troubles of life, said Fr Onil.

 

A procession with Blessed Eucharist mounted on a mobile was held with accompanying faithful on Fr Alexander Duboi’s Road and concluded at the stage in Mount Calvary.A large number of faithful were present through Eucharistic Celebration and Eucharistic procession.

 

Fr Onil delivered a homily, where he highlighted the spiritual strength that one gets by regularly meditating at least an hour in front of the Holy Eucharist in the chapel.  He also narrated the experiences of American TV / radio preacher Fulbright who revealed his secret of inner strength that he got throughout his religious life as clergy and bishop by meditating at least an hour at the chapel, which helped him to preach zealously thereby helping several  faithful to turn back from waywardness and to lead meaningful lives.    

 

Fr Onil also led prayer service of an adoration of Blessed Sacrament to conclude the ceremony.

 

A newly-composed hymn in honor of Frad Saib was melodiously presented by the parish choir for the first time. 

 

The people of different faith some were barefoot offered prayers and lighted the candles in front of the mausoleum of Frad Saib in church premises. 

 

The parish council vice president Praveen Patrao, secretary George D’Souza, jubilee celebration Committee convener Susheel Noronha were present.

 
Fr Valerian Pinto thanked the donors, sponsors, parish council, volunteers and parish community for making success of the celebrations.