Mangaluru: Offertory procession held ahead of annual feast of Infant Jesus Shrine
By Clanute Lobo
Bellevision Media Network
Mangaluru, 05 Jan 2017: An offertory procession was held from Holy Cross parish, Cordel to Infant Jesus Shrine, Bikarnakatte, here on Wednesday, January 4, ahead of annual feast of Infant Jesus Shrine scheduled to be held on Saturday, January 14 to Sunday, January 15.
Cordel parish priest Fr Victor Machado flagged off the offertory procession in front of the church here on January 4 evening.
Karnataka legislative council chief whip Ivan D’Souza, St Joseph’s Monastery superior Fr Joe Tauro, Infant Jesus Shrine director Fr Elias D’Souza, Fr Prakash D’Cunha, benefactors of Infant Jesus Shrine and faithful were present.
The offertory procession began at Holy Cross Church, Cordel, here at 5.30pm and reached Infant Jesus Shrine at 6.30pm. The colorful offertory procession witnessed participation of many faithful. And it comprised offertory items donated by various donors of the city.
After a short felicitation programme, Karnataka former CM Veerappa Moily hoisted the flag at the Shrine.
Other dignitaries present at the ceremony included, Mangaluru diocesan vicar general Monsignor Denis Prabhu Moras, Episcopal vicar Fr Pius James D’Souza OCD, MUDA chairman Suresh Balal, Four Winds Communications managing partner Elias Fernandes, corporators Ashok Kumar, Baskhar Moily, Sabitha Misquith, local BJP leader Nagaraj, Pushparaj T, Fr Joe Tauro and Fr Elias D’Souza.
The annual feast of Infant Jesus will be celebrated by nine-day novena. The Holy Masses and prayers will be held all throughout the day during the novena days from January 5 to January 15. The solemn celebration will be held on Saturday, January 14 to Sunday, January 15.