The five-day annual feast of St Lawrence Minor Basilica at Attur concluded on Thursday, 25 January 2018. Most Rev. Dr Gerald Isaac Lobo, Bishop of Udupi presided over the festive Eucharistic celebration. The Theme for the Feast this year was: “Blessed are those who help the poor and needy”.
V. Rev. Fr Joswey Fernandes, Dean of Karkala deanery, V. Rev. Fr Roshan Menezes, Episcopal Vicar for Religious, V. Rev. Fr George D’Souza, Rector of St Lawrence Minor Basilica, Rev. Fr Jencil Alva, Asst. Priest and other priests from Udupi and other dioceses concelebrated with the Bishop. The feast of Our Lady of Guidance was also celebrated that day.
In his homily, Bishop Gerald Isaac Lobo said: “On 17 November 2017 Sister Rani Maria from Indore, Madhya Pradesh was declared blessed by Pope Francis. Sister Rani Maria had worked for the tribal people to get back their rights. Angered by the selfless work of Sister Rani Maria,the Zamindars of the village hired Samandar Singh to kill her and he stabbed her to death. In spite of so many difficulties, she witnessed God by helping the tribals and backward people. There are many more saints who have dedicated their life to the poor and needy. Insufficient food, no proper shelter and clothes, incurable diseases are the major problems today that society is facing. There are people who strive hard to get basic facilities. We see it in our country itself. But we have become blind, lame and deaf towards these people and even we don’t follow teachings of Jesus today.”
During the five days of the celebration, five Bishops: Most Rev. Dr Francis Serrao, SJ, Bishop of Shimoga: Most Rev. Dr Lawrence Mukkuzhy, Bishop of Beltangady, Most Rev. Dr K.A. William, Bishop of Mysore, Most Rev. Dr Aloysius Paul D’Souza, Bishop of Mangalore and Most Rev. Dr Gerald Isaac Lobo, Bishop of Udupi celebrated the Festive Masses on 21, 22, 23, 24 and 25 January of the Feasts respectively.
V. Rev. Fr George D’Souza, Rector of St Lawrence Minor Basilica thanked each and everyone for their support in making the five-day festivities a grand success.
Most Rev. Dr Gerald Isaac Lobo thanked V. Rev. Fr George D'Souza for his tireless and dedicated services throughout the year and appreciated all arrangements done for the Annual Shrine Feast. He also thanked Rev. Fr Jencil Alva for his service at the Basilica and also appreciated the goodwill, collaboration and support of the parishioners to the Shrine Basilica and thanked them.
Addressing the devotees , the Bishop pointed out that the Shrine of St Lawrence was a miraculous holy place and a pilgrimage center and so to keep it always in their prayers. He urged the devotees to extend their helping hand towards the upcoming development projects at St Lawrence Shrine Basilica and thanked them for their support.