Udupi: Diocesan Eucharistic Procession marks homage to Christ the King

By Dr. Eugene DSouza, Moodubelle
Bellevision Media Network

Udupi, 22 Nov 2015: The annual Diocesan Eucharistic Procession organized on the feast of Christ the King coinciding with the Confraternity Sunday of Mother of Sorrows Church, Udupi  evoked devotional response from nearly four thousand Catholics representing 50 parishes of the Udupi Diocese on Sunday, 22 November 2015.

 

The day was observed in three parts-solemn mass concelebrated by the Bishop of Udupi Diocese, Most Rev. Dr. Gerald Isaac Lobo along with other  priests in the decorated premises of Mother of Sorrows Church, Eucharistic adoration and the grand Eucharistic Procession followed by homily.

 

The Bishop along with the priests concelebrated the solemn feast mass on a specially arranged and florally decorated huge dais at 4 pm in the presence of a large number of people that filled the ground to the capacity. The entire premises was divided into fifteen sectors to accommodate nearly four thousand devotees coming from different parishes of the diocese. Excellent arrangements were made for the people to participate meaningfully in the Eucharistic celebration. Volunteers and drinking water facility in every sector enabled the people to maintain discipline and decorum that was essential for such a solemn and devotional occasion.

 

Soon after the mass, Rev. Fr. Fred Mascarenhas, Dean of Udupi Deanery and Parish priest of Mother of Sorrows Church made few announcements regarding the annual parish feast that will be celebrated on 25 November.

 

Bishop Gerald Isaac Lobo honoured those individuals and parishes who had donated more than five thousand rupees towards the expenses of the Eucharistic Procession with decorated candles.

 

The mass was followed by adoration of the Holy Eucharist led by Rev. Dr. Lawrence D’Souza, Secretary of Catholic Education Society of Udupi(CESU).

 

 

Soon after the adoration, the solemn Eucharistic Procession began at 5.30 pm. The brass band led the procession followed by Cross and candle bearers and the people holding lighted candles. The Bishop held the Blessed Sacrament that was rested on a pedestal fitted on a decorated vehicle.  The procession moved through the Lane adjacent to St. Mary’s Kannada Medium School and passed through the Government PU College Road, Ajjarkad Park Road, Jodukatte Circle, Old Taluk Office Road, Court Road, Diana Circle and entered the church premises. The entire procession took around one and half hour to complete.

 

Having returned from procession, Rev. Dr. Prakash Anil Castelino, Assistant Parish Priest of Our Lady of Health Church, Shirva read a passage from the Gospel and delivered the key homily highlighting the importance of Eucharist and its evolution by citing a number of examples and events from both Old and New Testaments. Fr. Anil said that the Eucharist has great strength that nourishes the church in general and the individual faithful in particular.

 

Bishop Gerald Isaac Lobo dedicated the Diocese of Udupi to Christ the King through the prayer of dedication.

 

The Bishop gave away trophies to those parishes who had highest total collection and highest per head collection on the Mission Sunday. Moodubelle Parish received the trophy for maximum collection of Rs. 5,38,410/- followed by  Udupi Parish with Rs.5,20,635/-, where as Karkala-Attur Parish secured third position with Rs. 3,25,000/- collection.

 

Among the parishes that had maximum per head collection were: Nakre-Rs.417/- per head (total collection Rs. 2,16,000-), Kuntalanagar-Rs.341/- per head (total collection Rs. 1,30,000) and Udupi-Rs.320/- per head (total collection Rs. 5,20,635).

 

In his message, Most Rev. Dr. Gerald Isaac Lobo expressed gratitude to all those who had helped in organizing the Diocesan Eucharistic Procession in a grand and meaningful manner, especially Rev. Msgr. Baptist Menezes, the Vicar Geenral, Rev. Fr. Fred Mascarenhas, Rev. Dr. Lawrence D’Souza for conducting the adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, Rev. Dr. Prakash Anil Castelino for the homily highlighting the significance of the Holy Eucharist, Rev. Fr. Denis D’Sa, PRO of the Diocese for excellently anchoring the entire proceedings, Prof. Vincent Alva for arrangements and training the volunteers, Choir for excellent singing of hymns, Parish, Varado and Diocesan Pastoral Council office bearers and members, priests from different parishes and the people in general.

 

The absence of rain during the entire devotional service and procession was a divine providence given the fact that it had rained on the previous two evenings and nights.