Attur-Karkala: Confraternity Sunday observed at St. Lawrence Shrine with devotion and fervor

By Dr. Eugene DSouza, Moodubelle
Bellevision Media Network

Karkala, 26 Jan 2014: The Confraternity Sunday, manifesting the unity of the parishioners and public worship of the Eucharistic Sacrament with procession and Sacramental Blessing was observed with great devotion and fervor at the Shrine of St. Lawrence, Attur-Karkala on Sunday, 26 January 2014.

 

The Confraternity Mass was celebrated by Rev. Dr. Leslie D’Souza, Parish Priest of St. John the Evangelist Church, Shankerpura. At the end of the mass, the relic of St. Lawrence was honoured with novena prayers and blessing by Rev. Fr. Charles Lewis. Thereafter,  the Eucharistic Sacrament was exposed and adored and grand Eucharistic Procession followed led by the Souza Brass Band of Attur-Karkala. The Blessed Sacrament was carried by Rev. Dr. Leslie D’Souza on a decorated van.

 

The procession moved through the road leading from the Shrine and took left-turn and eventually the faithful assembled in the ground at Kuntadi where the Blessed Sacrament was placed on the altar specially arranged for the purpose on the  Silver Jubilee Memorial Stage of the Yuvaka Mandala at Gundyadka.

 

Rev. Dr. Leslie D’Souza began his homily in Kannada  with the story of Bhakta Prahlada, whose father sent him to his ‘guru’ with the instruction that he should teach him everything except about God. However, Bhakta Prahlada  realized the existence of God through his observation of nature and had to suffer for his belief in God and challenging his own father-Hiranyakashyapu.

 

Explaining the importance of the love of God towards humanity, Rev. Dr. Leslie D’Souza said that God loved humankind so much that He sent  his only son to suffer and die for the salvation of humankind.  Jesus, in His life went on doing well and eventually had to sacrifice His life on the cross. Rev. Dr. Leslie D’Souza highlighted the teachings of Jesus and stressed on the fact that the teachings of Jesus are very relevant in modern times.

 

 

The homily was followed by the Sacramental Blessing after which the people dispersed and went back to their homes.

 

The entire surroundings of the Shrine of St. Lawrence bear the festive mood. The stalls are being set up by the side of the road. The expansion work is almost complete and the vast pandal covered with coconut palms is ready to accommodate the ever increasing pilgrims.  This reporter could see a number of pilgrims, especially non-Christian brothers and sisters paying a visit to the Shrine and lighting candles in front of the statue of St. Lawrence, the ‘Miracle Saint’.

 

At around 7 pm, for the first time the entire Shrine complex was lit with decorative lights marking the beginning of the festive season at the Shrine of St. Lawrence at Attur-Karkala. The main church, the belfry and the main gates and the hill-slop were adorned with mesmerizing decorative lighting done by Vailankanni Electricals, Mangalore. It was photographers’ delight to click pictures of such an amazing sight. The theme of this years feast "Christ Centered Family Cradle of Faith" is prominently illuminated between the two main entrances of the shrine. 

 

Rev. Fr. George D’Souza, the Rector of St. Lawrence Shrine, Attur-Karkala has been instrumental in bringing about drastic changes in the entire shrine complex. He has already completed the expansion work to accommodate the ever increasing pilgrims. He has taken special care in installing CCTV cameras to monitor the entire shrine complex.