“Lord, increase our faith is the theme of the annual shrine festival this year according to Fr Arthur Pereira the shrine director. As members of the church or as believers we need to pray to the Lord to increase our faith especially in this year of faith as declared by Pope Benedict XVI. The historical shrine of St Lawrence at Attur-Karkal fills the devotees who come to the shrine with great faith,” he said adding that the theme is chosen in the context of declaration of the year as 'Year of Faith' across the globe by Pope Benedict XVI.
Devotees from different corners of Karnataka and neighbouring states of south India have come into the Shrine. The visitors are seen devoutly visiting the relic of St Lawrence, confessing their sins, visiting the pool at the shrine and receiving flowers and holy water in the shrine. After every Mass there is a special prayer for the sick in Konkanni as well as Kannada languages.
Masses
All together there are 30 Masses during the festival this year in Kannada and Konkanni languages including two masses on Monday 28th. There will be 9 masses on the first day, 12 masses on the second day and 7 masses on the last day which is celebrated as the 'Guiding Mother Festival' (Giadh Mayechi Porob).
The last mass would be at 5.30 p.m. on Thursday. Dr Aloysius Paul D'Souza the Bishop of Mangalore would be leading the special Mass in Kannada at 6.00 p.m. on Tuesday 29th.
The main festival Mass on Wednesday, January 30th will be led by Dr Gerald Isaac Lobo the Bishop of Udupi at 10.00 a.m. On Thursday, January 31st the festival Mass of 'Giyadh Mai' would be conducted by Msgr Baptist Menezes, the Vicar General of the Diocese of Udupi.
On Monday, January 28th, there was a special Mass and special prayers for the sick by Fr Alban D'Souza, the director of Stella Mary's Shrine, Kalmady. As more devotees are expected on Tuesday 29th night special adoration will be held in Kannada from 11.15 p.m. to 12.15 a.m.
This is for the first time that the annual shrine festival is being celebrated after the establishment of the new Diocese of Udupi. Even though geographically the Attur-Karkal shrine belongs to the Udupi diocese, as per the desire of the bishop of Udupi and shrine director, priests from the undivided Mangalore diocese have willingly involved themselves in the shrine festivities especially in the confessional ministry.
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