In preparation of Annual Feast, Colourful Vespers on Tuesday, 16th January, 2024, at Milagres Cathed

By P. Archibald Furtado
Pics: Richard D’Souza
Bellevision Media Network

Kallianpur, 16 Jan 2024: Milagres Church Kallianpur is one of the oldest in the undivided DK district and remained as the centre of the then Northern Varado of Mangalore Diocese for years. In brief, it has a written down history of more than 346 years since 1678 and the various legends say its roots still deeper and related to early Christian era, as both Apostles Bartholomew and Thomas were landed on these shores of Swarna and Seeta rivers and lived in places like Kolambe, Barkur and Tonse areas and then they moved to other places for Evangelization, spreading of good news - the former to the North, Konkan and Kutch and latter to South and Eastern India and suffered martyrdom in Milapore near Chennai in Tamil Nadu.

 

In other words, for centuries Christianity was existing in Coastal Karnataka, probably not as a religion but a way of life, much before Goan and Konkani immigrants settled in large number during the local Alupa, Keladi and other Kings, who generously offered land to construct places for worship etc. in various places.

 

 

One such Church always indebted to the kindness and accommodation by Rani Chennamaji a result of a treaty between her and Portuguese is rightly the Milagres and the marvellous and beautiful churches were built and rebuilt as per the needs of the faithful. The present Cathedral Church, a combination of Basque and mainly Gothic architecture was constructed in the year 1942, by Msgr Denis Jerome DSouza.

 

Time immemorial, it is gathered from sources that, Annual Feast generally falling in the second and third week of January, after the Christmas was a weeklong affair with religious pilgrimage, celebrating Sacraments, shopping, fairs etc for devotees coming here from far and near.

 

Many traditions are forgotten with the passage of time, however few still exist like ‘Maadi festh’ about 9 days ago on 7th January, 2024 and beginning of the feast week with ‘Confraternity Sunday’ on 14th January 2024, The Vespers were held on the previous evening as the parishioners and relatives assembled in the artistic historical Church to offer prayers, on Tuesday, 16th January, at 7.00 p.m. as the magnificent Church well decorated with attractive lightings welcomed the huge gathering of parishioners, relatives and guests from neighbouring towns….!!

 

It must be a divine providence V. Rev. Fr Valerian Mendonca, who was here as Assistant Priest to devout and holy Fr GL DCruz in 1978 – 1982, subsequently serving as Lecturer, Vice Principal and Principal in the prestigious Milagres College, Kallianpur is back as Rector of the Cathedral and Correspondent of Milagrean educational Institutions and leading the faithful close to God..!

 

 

To add the festive atmosphere the brass band was playing melodious tunes and at sharp 7.00 pm the host of celebrants led by Rev. Fr Vijay DSouza, arrived in a procession to the main altar, as the Church Choir sung the beautiful entrance hymn ‘Yeka tallyan Somyak Harshiyan…’ as the Church was unusually overflowing with no space left unoccupied, even in the portico.

 

While breaking the word of God, Fr Vijay DSouza, Administrator of St John’s Educational Institutions Shankarapura, beautifully focussed on the theme – ‘Here am I the servant of the Lord: May it be done to me, according to your word’ and narrated the importance of a ‘prayerful life and accepting the way God listen to it, the way Mother Mary totally surrendered to the will of God’, And significance of prayers in the family life, which guides us with self discipline, a life with love and compassion and justice in the society.

 

In the followed solemn benediction of the Holy Sacrament, he touched the heart of the faithful with soft, chosen words and thanked, dedicated and raised our prayers to Almighty Lord. It was a touching ceremony concluded with the Blessings on faithful.

 

As the huge ground was full of parishioners, guests and relatives, with a festive mood among the children and youth was at its peak, both the High wooden Altar, interiors and exteriors of the Church were well decorated with fresh flowers and lighting and the enthusiastic ICYM and YCS made excellent arrangements to have various draws, other games and there were variety of shops and dozens of Ice Cream stalls, mitai, jalebi, masala churmuri to give a feel and fragrance of festivities in the huge Church Compound. To rewind and refresh the good olden days, the Pirjenth ‘Kallainpur Friends’ made exhaustive arrangements to have display of Fireworks, after many years this time enjoyed by all and sundries.

 

Youth not only from the parish but from nearby parishes such as  Thottam, Kemmannu, Giri, Mt Rosary, Perampally, Kalmadi etc  were eagerly waiting for Housie Game, which rightly a star attraction in Milagres Church Vespers with huge amounts of Cash Prizes…!!

 

In the beginning, at 6.30 pm, the charel carrying the statute of Mother Mary, was blessed and brought to Church in a colourful procession as the arrangements were in place led by Melwyn Sequeira Vice President of pastoral council and laity leaders.

 

To conclude the well arranged devotional service, Parish Priest V. Rev. Valerian Mendonca, conveyed festal greetings to all gathered and at homes… gave a brief introduction of the main celebrant Fr. Vijay DSouza and profusely thanked all guest priests from the Deanery and far and near and informed the scheduled proceedings tomorrow i.e. Parish Feast celebrations and evening Tulu drama in the College grounds sponsored by Kallianpur Friends.