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Karkala : The fourth day of the annual feast mass at St. Lawrence Basilica on Wednesday, 25th of January was concelebrated by Most Rev Dr. Aloysius Paul D’souza Bishop of Mangaluru Diocese along with Most Rev Dr. Gerald Isaac Lobo Bishop of Udupi, Rev Fr. George D’Souza Rector of Basilica, Rev Fr. William Menezes PRO of Mangaluru diocese, Rev Fr. Denis D’Sa PRO of Udupi diocese and a number of other priests.

Bishop Aloysius Paul in his beautiful homily, themed Be my Witnesses of this annual feast of St. Lawrence Basilica outlined throughout the history of Christian faith with devotion witnessed the Jesus. Large number of Saints witnessed the Jesus in their life. In the history of Christianity early and later martyrs became witnesses to Jesus Christ by shedding their blood for their beliefs. In India also like martyred Graham Stein and other religious faithful sacrificed their life to witness the Jesus Christ. Even during the churches attack in Mangaluru recently also religious priests, nuns and faithful were given witnesses the Jesus Christ. Our faith with the God should be strong, and then there is no need to be hard. We have to witness the God by our strong faith with God.

He said we witness Jesus because we love Christ, we witness because He loves us. We witness because we want to honour and obey Him. We witness because He gives us a special love for others. God wants us to witness because of the benefits He gives us a special love for others. God wants us to witness because of the benefits He offers to those who receive Christ in our life.

Large numbers of devotees of St. Lawrence were present inside the church and also besides the church that CCTV’s were installed on the fourth main mass of the annual feast. Thousands of people from all walks of life were thronging the holy places for blessing.

Large number of faithful burns the candles, makes offerings, pay respect to the relic of the saint and visited the miracle pond, Pushkarini near to the Basilica. District Police and the Basilica administration done excellent arrangements for the smooth celebrations of the Annual Feast of St. Lawrence Basilica, Attur, Karkala.

For the first time on occasion of its first annual celebrations of St Lawrence Minor Basilica, symbols of Basilica Tintinnabulum and Conopaeum were taken in the procession.Melodious choir was lead by Attur Church team.

Fr George D’Souza thanked the bishop, priests and all the parishioners for their whole hearted support towards the annual feast preparations.

Nearly 40 priests, 5 bishops, more than 350 seminarians, number of nuns have been rendering service since last 4 days at the Minor Basilica.Before the Festival celebration Bishop of Mangaluru was welcomed by Fr George D’Souza, Fr Vijay D’Souza, and John D’Silva.

On Thursday January 26, Dr Gerald Isaac Lobo, bishop of Udupi diocese will offer the festive Eucharistic Mass in Konkani at 10 am. Along with this there will be nearly 8 masses starting from 6.30 am onwards on an hourly basis. Various church choir teams will arrive to make the Holy Eucharistic celebrations more meaningful with better involvement of the devotees.