The Feast of Our Lady of Vailankanni was celebrated with devotion and fervor at Stella Maris Church, Kalmady on Tuesday, 15 August, 2019.
The Solemn festive mass after nine days of novena services was held with main celebrant Most Rev. Dr. Gerald Isaac Lobo Bishop of Udupi along with V. Rev Fr Valerian Mendonca, Dean of Udupi Deanery; Rev. Fr Alban D’Souza, Parish Priest of Stella Maris Church and 20 priests from Udupi, Mangaluru and Shimoga Dioceses.
In his homily, the Bishop said that Mother Mary was lifted up to Heaven body and soul as per God’s plan. “She is the real role model for all human beings who have doubts about life after death. Her faith and obedience to God made this happen”.
“There is a link between Mother Mary and the Holy Sacrament. The Immaculate Mother of God, Virgin Mary, having completed the course of her earthly life, assumed her body and soul into heaven. With that, the ancient belief became the Catholic doctrine and the Assumption was declared a truth revealed by God. Mother Mary always believed in Jesus. Mother Mary remained faithful to the Lord,”
After the mass the Rev. Fr Alban D’Souza thanked all the devotees who supported on the occasion.
Candles were distributed to the sponsors of the festival by the Bishop.
More than 10,000 devotees from across the district and neighboring districts participated in the annual feast masses throughout the day.