Jan 15: The annual feast of Infant Jesus was celebrated at Infant Jesus Shrine, Alangar, Moodbidri here on Sunday January 15 with solemnity and fervour.
The solemn Eucharistic celebration was held at 5.30 pm, presided over by Dr Aloysius Paul D'Souza, the bishop of Mangalore. Fr Praveen Leo lasrado at present professor in Moral Theology at St Joseph’s Seminary preached a meaningful homily.
There were around 6000 people present at the festal mass. As a preparation for the feast, Novena prayers were conducted for nine days. Masses were celebrated and special prayers offered for various intentions. Thus, altogether not less than 10,000 people flocked to receive blessings during these holy days. On Saturday there was a mass in Kannada and a mass in Malayalam and in English on Sunday morning.
The diocese of Mangalore is celebrating the 125th year of its foundation this year. In thanksgiving to God for the gift of faith that He has given and in view of reaffirming our commitment to Christ, the theme chosen for the Feast was, “let us live the faith and renew the church”.
The evening masses were telecast live on TV and the internet. Devotees came in large numbers for all the masses on all days. After the mass a vegetarian meal was arranged for the people.