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Udupi : The annual Feast of Our Lady of Vailankanni to be celebrated on 14^th and 15^th August, 2018 at Stella Maris Church, Kalmady, near Malpe here.

Addressing the media persons at the Press Club here on Thursday, 2^nd August, Rev Fr. Alban D’Souza, parish priest of the Church said that the nine-day novena service for the preparation of the annual feast would be held from 5^th August to 13^th August, 2018. The novena prayers and Eucharistic celebrations will be held in all nine days in the evening at 4pm onwards.

Fr. Alban said that Very Rev Fr. Stany B. Lobo, Chancellor of Udupi diocese will flag off the nine-day novena on Sunday, 5^th August at 3.45pm followed by novena prayers and Eucharistic celebrations. There will be special prayers for the sick every day during the novena.

On Sunday, 13^th August, there will be Vailankanni Mother Mary’s Car (Cherel) procession from Adi-Udupi junction to Kalmady Church at 2.45pm, he said.

On 14^th August, Most Rev Dr. Henry D’Souza, Bishop of Bellary Diocese will be the main celebrant of the Solemn Eucharistic Celebrations at 4 pm. Thereafter at 6 pm there will be a mass in Kannada.

On 15^th August, Most Rev Dr. Gerald Isaac Lobo, Bishop of Udupi Diocese will be main celebrant of Solemn Eucharistic festive celebrations at 10 am. Other masses on festive day will be held on 15^th August at 7am in Konkani, at 12 noon in Kannada and at 6pm in English, he said.

He said that on 15^th August at 9.15 am onwards honoring candles will be distributed to the donors and sponsors. Meal will be served after 10 am and 12noon mass.

During all the novena days, special intentions for children, youth, faithful, families and other will be held. Large number of faithful will be participating during the novena days and festive celebrations.

Sanjay Andrede Vice President and Shobha Mendonca Secretary of Parish Pastoral council, Dion D’Souza Presdient of ICYM, Udupi diocese, Melwyn Presdent of ICYM, Kalmady church unit were present in the press meet.

The unique architectural masterpiece, one of the first boat shaped churches in the state and light house shaped belfry tower was inaugurated on 6^th January, 2018. Stella Maris Church has a humble beginning way back on 6^th February, 1972, consequent to the collective wisdom and initiative of a handful faithful, who until then were parishioners partly of Udupi and Thottam. Capt (Retd) late Rev Fr. Charles D’Souza a deeply religious and philanthropist was the first officiating priest at Kalmady. It was during the tenure of Rev Fr. Denis Castelino that Stella Maris gained devotional acclaim. This devotion was further animated and enhanced by Fr Denis by the solemn installation of the Icon of Our Lady of Vailankanni in 1988. Today, this devotion has grown in leaps and has reached beyond the boundaries of Udupi. It is drawing devotees from near and far to pursue their spiritual cause.

For the past 3 decades pilgrims have benefitted immensely by their visit and constant prayers in particular through the novenas held on every Saturday at the Shrine. The parishioners and the visiting large number of devotees have recorded testimonies of miracles and special favors received through Our Lady of Vailankanni. People from all walks of life come to pray in the Shrine.