Udupi: The annual Diocesan Eucharistic Procession organized on the feast of Christ the King evoked devout response from nearly 3,000 Catholics representing 52 parishes of the Udupi Diocese on Sunday, 26 November, at Kallianpur.
During the Homily the Bishop said that Jesus Christ came to the world not expecting service from anyone but to serve humanity. He served humanity to the extent of sacrificing Himself on the Cross. His kingdom was a spiritual kingdom which redeemed humankind from sin. He desired to establish a kingdom of peace and all of us have the responsibility of fulfilling this desire.
The Mass was followed by the solemn Eucharistic Procession. The brass band led the procession followed by the cross and candle-bearers. The Bishop, with the Blessed Sacrament, was rested on a pedestal on a decorated vehicle. The procession moved from the Milagres Cathedral through Ozanam Home for the Aged, Goretti Hospital and concluded at Mount Rosary church ground at Santhekatte.
Fr Leo Praveen D’Souza, assistant priest of St Francis Xavier’s Church, Udyavar, proclaimed a Gospel passage and delivered the homily, highlighting the importance of the Eucharist and its evolution by citing several examples and events from both the Old and New Testaments. He stated that the Eucharist is the symbol of unity, sacrifice and forgiveness. True love is manifested through loving the neighbours and Jesus Christ had shown that kind of love through His sacrifice on the Cross. The Eucharist is the light of our hope and those who have faith in this Sacrament will never be let down.
Bishop Gerald Isaac Lobo dedicated the Diocese of Udupi to Christ the King through the prayer of dedication.
Along with the faithful from 52 parishes of the Udupi Diocese, more than 50 priests and around 100 religious women participated in the procession.
Vicar General of Udupi Diocese, Msgr Ferdinand Gonsalves, Chancellor, Rev. Dr Roshan D’Souza, Dean of Karkala Deanery, Fr Paul Rego, Dean of Udupi Deanery, Fr Charles Menezes, Dean of Shirva Denary, Fr Leslie D’Souza and Dean of Kallinapur Deanery, Fr Valerian Mendonca, parish priest of Mount Rosary Church, Santhekatte, Fr Roque D’Souza, PRO, Diocese of Udupi, Fr Denis D’Sa, and other priests were present.
The Secretary of the Council of Priests, Fr Leslie D’Souza, proposed the vote of thanks, and the Director of Divya Jyothi, Fr Cyril Lobo, compered the programme.
