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Karkala, Aug 1: The first Annual Celebration of the Proclamation and Dedication of the St.Lawrence Basilica Attur, Karkala was celebrated,along with this celebration nine days of novena, prior to the titular feast of St.Lawrence Basilica began on Tuesday, August 1.

Nine-day-novena prior to the titular feast was also inaugurated on the occasion.

Dr Gerald Issac Lobo, bishop, diocese of Udupi, presided over the holy Eucharistic celebrations while Fr George D’Souza, rector, St Lawrence Basilica, Attur, Msgr Dr Baptist Menezes, vicar general, diocese of Udupi, Fr Jesnil Alva, assistant parish priest of St Lawrence Church, Attur, Fr William Menezes, PRO, diocese of Mangaluru, and other priests from the diocese took part in the Eucharistic celebrations. It has been one year after this Basilica was Proclaimed and Dedicated by the Holy See.

In order to mark this celebration many priests from Udupi and Mangalore took part in the Solemn Eucharistic Celebration.Large number of devotees gathered.

In his homily, Bishop Dr Gerald Lobo said, “We have proclaimed this year as year of ‘Lexio Divina’ which means the year of Word of God in Udupi diocese. This invites all the faithful to read and reflect the word of God and live according to the word of God. While we start nine days of novena today in the name of St Lawrence, let us reflect specially on the Word of God. St Jerome says ‘The person, who does not know the Bible or the word of god, doesn’t know Christ’. Through Bible we get to know about Christ, he speaks to us through it, his words give us strength and also help us to lead a fruitful life.

"The Word of God gives a new ray of hope to all and strengthens our faith in God. But still we are not aware about the Word of God. For us our life has become like the beggar who begs holding a golden plate but has no knowledge about the valuable thing he possesses or like the person who dies of thirst, stuck in his boat in the middle of the sea," he said. 

After the mass, the special prayers interceding St Lawrence were offered for the sick. Fr George Thomas D’Souza, rector and parish priest of St Lawrence Minor Basilica Attur thanked all the devotees present on the occasion.

Prior to the mass there was adoration service headed by Fr George D’Souza, rector and parish priest of St Lawrence Minor Basilica Attur. 

The titular feast will be celebrated on Thursday August 10 at 10:30 am. The festal mass will be headed by Fr Pius James D’Souza, OCD, Episcopal Vicar, diocese of Mangalore.Priests will hear confession from 9:30 am onwards.

At the end of the mass novena was held and special prayer for the sick was offered.Later, meal was served to all devotees as a sign of brotherhood.

As a part of novena everyday mass will be held at 11:00am, prior to the mass 9:30am Confession,10:10am Holy Rosary, 10:30am Adoration,

Later fellowship meal was served to all the devotees.