Udupi/Shirva, 13 Feb 2014: The feast of Our Lady of Lourdes was celebrated with great devotion by the parishioners of Shirva. Nearly 2000 people participated in the mass offered by Fr. Vincent Monteiro, Principal of St. John the Evangelist Junior College, Shankarpura at the chapel of Mother of Sorrows (Irmiz) at 6.15 pm on 11 February 2014.
Following the end of the mass at 7pm, the procession accompanied by the brass band was taken out from the Irmiz to the Church of Our Lady of Health. People carried lighted candles with them. There was a tableau depicting the scene from the apparition of Mother Mary to Bernadette.
As the procession passed through the bus stand and township, the shop-keepers, rickshaw drivers and others were seen lining up the road and holding lighted candles.
On reaching the church, candles of honour were distributed to the mud-dhoms of the feast. The names were read by Vice President and Secretary of the Parish Pastoral Council-Wilson D’Souza and William Machado.
Homily and adoration of the blessed sacrament followed thereafter. Rev. Fr. Stany tauro-Parish Priest of Shirva and Fr. Avil D’Cunha-Assistant Parish Priest were present.