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Udupi : The nine days novena services for the preparation of the Annual Feast of Our Lady of Vailankanni at Stella Maris Church, Kalmadi near Malpe here began on Sunday, 5^th August, 2018.

The Novena service was inaugurated by Very Rev Fr. Stany B. Lobo, Chancellor of Udupi Diocese and Parish Priest of St. Francis Xavier’s Church Udyavara by hoisting the Shrine flag. Prior to the inauguration brief prayer was held and Fr. Stany B. Lobo gave brief introduction on the occasion.

Rev Fr. Alban D’Souza Parish Priest of the Church, Very Rev Fr. Valerian Mendonca Dean of Udupi Deanery and parish priest of Udupi church, Rev Fr. Fredrick D’Souza parish priest of Manipal Church, Sanjay Andrede Vice President and Shobha Mendonca Secretary of Parish Pastoral Council, nuns, other priests and large number of faithful of Mother Mary were present.

Later inauguration of nine days novena services first day of novena service held and prayed for the sick and needy. Holy Eucharistic mass was con-concelebrated by Very Rev Fr. Stany B. Lobo.

The Shrine of Our Lady of Vailankanni in the parish of Stella Maris (which means Star of the Sea) is located on the way to the Malpe beach. Stella Maris was a chapel built by the efforts of late Capt. Rev Fr. Charles D’Souza in February 1972. But later the chapel was became a full-fledged church in 1^st January 1991.

The new church building that is in the shape of boat along with a bell tower in the shape of light house was inaugurated on 6^th January, 2018. The new building will be able to accommodate 1000 people. It will be the first church to be built in the shape of a boat in the state and second in Asia.

The annual Feast of Our Lady of Vailankanni to be celebrated on 14^th and 15^th August, 2018. During the announcements after the first day of novena service, Fr. Alban D’Souza said that  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.