Milagres Cathedral celebrates the feast of Nativity of Virgin Mary with grandeur

By Richard DSouza
Bellevision Media Network

Udupi : Milagres Cathedral of Udupi diocese celebrated the feast of Nativity of Virgin Mother Mary here in Kallianpur here with great fervor and gaiety on September 8, 2024.

 

Large number of parishioners and devotees along with large children gathered at 8 am in front of Milagres Tri-centenary Hall prior to Solemn High festive mass. The Vicar General of Udupi Diocese and Rector of the Cathedral Rt. Rev Monsignor Ferdinand Gonsalves led the prayers prior to the blessing on the paddy corns. Rev Fr Ronson D’Souza, Holy Cross from Katpady read the bible followed by Rector blessed the newly donated statue of Nativity of Virgin Mary and paddy corns followed by large number of children offered colourful flowers to Infant Mary by singing “Moriye Hogalsiyam”. After the brief ceremony, large number of devotees proceeded towards the Cathedral along with carrying blessed Paddy Corns by the gurkars and main firgent members of family of the feast.

 

Followed by the procession, the Solemn High Eucharistic celebration was con-celebrated by the Monsignor Ferdinand Gonsalves, Rev Fr. Pradeep Cardoza, Assistant parish priest of the Cathedral and guest priest as well as native of the parish Fr. Ronson D’Souza.

 

In his beautiful and meaningful homily Fr Pradeep Cardoza, said that Mother Mary is the Mother of God and Mother of us. Devotion to infant Mary has great potential. Along with devotion to the infant Jesus, it proclaims the beauty of innocence and childhood to a world which seems intent on destroying both. The devotion seems to appeal to little girls, who can see in Mary an example of consecrated girlhood. It can stand as a witness against atrocities of women which are practiced in many parts of the country and world.

At the end of the mass, Monsignor Ferdinand Gonsalves placed the weekly announcements and also conveyed the festive wishes and greetings to all concerned and overseas parishioners. He gave gratitude all concerned like parish pastoral council officials and members, children choir team, nuns, sacristy servers, firgent and sponsors of the feast, media persons, ICYM and YCS members and all connected the parish organizations and members and especially those who guided and helped to the parish overall.

 

Monsignor Ferdinand Gonsalves handed over the decorated candle to the main sponsor and firgent of the feast for 43 years the children of Late Lazarus and Late Margaret D’Souza of Kote Road, one of the sons of Francis D’Souza. The Rector also distributed decorated candles to all the sponsors of the feast,

 

The Rector also distributed Scholarships to top meritorious students of Milagres which were sponsored by Late Lazarus and Late Margaret Dsouza’s children. Meanwhile, prizes were distributed to ICYM sponsored Marian Singing Competition and Bible Quiz parish level competition. Prizes also were distributed to Milarchi Laram bible quiz competition winners during the occasion.

 

The festive children’s choir guided and trained by Fr Pradeep Cardoza was an extraordinary one and festive liturgy was conducted by the school children as well.

 

All devotees conveyed festive wishes themselves after the mass and under the leadership of ICYM members served the tiffin and vorn, payasam to all the devotees. Meanwhile heavy items of gifts and tiffin were served to children separately. As usual, sugarcane was served to all the parishioners and the children.