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Thousands visit first day of Attur St. Lawrence Feast 2018.

Karkala, Jan 22: The annual feast St Lawrence Minor Basilica, popularly known as ’Attur Santh Mari’ that attracts large crowds from all over the state every year, began on Sunday, January 21.

The first day afternoon festive Mass was specially offered for the children. The 5.00 pm Eucharistic Mass was presided over by Dr Francis Serrao, Bishop, diocese of Shivamogga. While Fr William Menezes, PRO, Diocese of Mangaluru were the concelebrants on the occasion.
Prior to this in the morning blessing and inauguration of the newly built honorary pillar were held. Which was donated by the London based Richard Christine Lobo and family,

Morning 11.00 AM mass was presided over by Fr. Mahesh Dsouza, Asst. P. Priest, Shirva Church.

Senior District congress leader and MP Sri Oscar Fernandes visited the Basilica on the first day of the feast and offered prayers along with wife Blossom and other congress leaders.

Honorary Pillar
The Honorary Pillar at Attur is 43 feet tall. In the bottom of the pillar there are 8 divisions facing 8 sides. In these divisions the date of proclamation of Basilica, photo of the shrine, inauguration date of the pillar (21 January 2018), photo of St Lawrence, Holy Cross, picture of miraculous statue, names of the donors and logo of basilica are carved.

During 5 occasions of in the year flag will be hoisted over this pillar. They are the 5 days of annual feast, day of declaration of Basilica (April 26), day of proclamation as a Basilica (August 1), and on the feast of St Lawrence (August 10).

Feast this year

Annual festival of St Lawrence Minor Basilica will be held from Sunday January 21 to Thursday January 25. During the festive days, nearly 44 masses in Konkani and Kannada language will be conducted. Special prayers for sick, elders and children will be offered during the five days of the feast. Round the clock confession service will be served to the needy by the priests. Five bishops of Shivamogga, Beltangady, Mysuru, Mangaluru and Udupi diocese will offer the Mass during these five days.