Feast of the Nativity of Blessed Virgin Mary celebrated

Sept. 08: Corpus Christi Church Moodbidri celebrated the feast of the birth of Mother Mary with great pomp.  The parishioners gathered with flowers and new rice near the Nawami complex in Moodbidri city at 7.30 a.m. 

Feast message was given in Kannada by Vincent Mascarenhas. He explained the meaning of the Nativity of Mother Mary, New corn blessing and the Mangalorean Catholic tradition of all family members eating new corn together.

Then the new rice was blessed and the procession started with children carrying flower baskets and adults in hand. The statue of infant Mary was carried in cradle by the ICYM members dressed in traditional Indian Mundu-shirt and colourful umbrellas surrounding. Vado Gurkars and Sister of convents carried the new rice followed by altar boys and the celebrant priests.

Keeping in mind the environ cleanliness flowers were not thrown during the procession on the road but the flowers were showered on infant Mary on the church ground.

Rev. Fr. Herald Pereira the regional director of SCC from Bangalore was the main celebrant with V. Rev. Fr. Austin Peres as the co-celebrant for the feast Mass.  Church choir led by Mr. Alwyn Lobo sang the liturgical hymns.

Fr. Herald’s sermon highlighted the meaning of this feast of family love. Our Families are the temples of Faith and Humanity.  We should grow our families in strong faith in God and kind attitude towards our neighbor.  We eat the new rice today united with our family and let us continue this tradition to keep the love and unity of the family.  When all the flowers in the basket started fighting the basket said “without me all of you cannot reach the destination” we too cannot reach our final destination unless we remain united with God through Mary.

“All to Jesus through Mary” be our motto to make our families cradles of Love and Joy.

After the Mass the Telephone Directory was launched by Rev. Fr Herold Pereira and Rev Fr Austin Peter Peres which was main sponsored by Mr Anil Lobo and Edited by Mr Vincent Mascarenhas.

All those who contributed to the feast were thanked, and a sign of honour, candles were distributed to donours, and new corn to all families. More than 1500 devotees took part in the procession and well as in the mass.

The Prizes were distributed to the winner of the games which was held on 1st September 2013. Sugarcane was distributed to all the parishioners.

Wish you all a very Happy Feast.

 

News: Mr John Menezes, Moodbidri
Photos: Mr Sunil, Alpha Studio, Moodbidri