Moodubelle: Post-Centenary Silver Jubilee Cross received with great devotion
By Eugene DSouza, Moodubelle
Pictures by Anil Alva
Bellevision Media Network
Moodubelle, 16 October 2011: The Cross in commemoration of the Post-Centenary Silver Jubilee of the erection of the independent diocese of Mangalore that is being taken for adoration in each parish of each of the 15 Varados of the diocese was received with great devotion by the Parish Priest of St. Lawrence Parish Moodubelle-Fr. Joswey Fernandes, Assistant Parish priest-Fr. Lancy Saldanha, Fr. Maxim Pinto (OFM-Cap)-Director of Assisi Nilaya, Vice President, Secretary-Alphonse Alva and Mrs. Jacinta D’Souza and members of the Parish Pastoral Council, Sisters of the Loreto Convent, Gurkars of different wards and a large number of the parishioners on Sunday, October 16, 2011 at 4.30 pm at the main entrance of the church. The Cross was handed over by Fr. Jerome Monteiro-Parish Priest of St. Antony’s Church, Kuntalnagar along with the parishioners who had arrived in procession.
After receiving, the Cross was reverently taken to the church in a procession. After installing in front of the main altar, Fr. Joswey Fernandes honoured the Cross with incense and flowers, following which other priests, sisters and parishioners offered flowers individually to honour the Cross. Later, a short prayer service was conducted by Fr. Joswey and Fr. Lancy. The liturgy was compeered by Fr. Maxim Pinto.
On Monday, October 17, 2011, the Cross will be taken to all 23 wards from 8 am to 6.30 pm. In each ward, the Cross will be kept for around 15 minutes at a conveniently located house where the members of the ward will gather and adore the Cross with short prayer service before moving to the next ward.
On Tuesday, October 18, 2011, there will be two masses at 6.30 am and 7.30 am. Thereafter, the Cross will remain in the church for public adoration till 4 pm. Thereafter, the Cross will be taken in a vehicle rally to the Church of St. Vincent De Paul, Katapadi.
It may be recalled here that the Diocese of Mangalore was erected as an independent diocese by Pope Leo XIII on September 1, 1886 with the then Apostolic Vicar of Mangalore-Rev. Nicholas Maria Pagani as the first bishop of the new diocese. During the last 125 years, the achievements of the Diocese of Mangalore have been phenomenal. Along with Apostolic Nuncio and Archbishops, the diocese has produced 41 Bishops and thousands of priests, nuns and other religious who have been rendering service in different parts of India and the world. A number of Christians have risen to important position in politics, business and government service.