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Udupi : A non-Christian devotee of Our Lady of Vailankani handed over a miraculous statue to Stella Maris Church, Kalmady near here on Sunday October 21. After the brief prayer by Rev Fr. Alban D’Souza, parish priest, a statue was brought from home of Umesh, a non-Christian to Kalmady church with open decorated van in a procession.

A non-Christian of Mogaveera community called Umesh of Kidiyoor village near here worshiped Our Lady of Vailankanni which kept a statue in his house since one and half year. As per the witness given by Umesh on a historical day of Kalmady church, a real estate agent by profession that Umesh had sold one acre plot to a Mumbai based businessman called Paul long back in Kadike which was near to the seashore. Due to continuously hit by sea erosion every rainy season, Paul established a statue of Our Lady of Vailankanni who used to celebrate every Christmas in his resort in Kadike with worshiping Our Lady of Vailankanni.

Umesh said that later Paul was sold his plot to his friend to non-Christian and he same statue was given to another friend of Umesh who is Christian in his home. After six months, I went to Christian friend and I was eager to see the statue which I was given to him. But unfortunately, that day I found that the said statue laying in a corner of his Christian home. I was deeply hurt and decided to take back the statue to my home. I was a great devotee of Our Lady of Vailankanni since my childhool. My mother also a devotee of Matha who supported me all, he said.

Umesh said that he got several miracles with the help of Our Lady of Vailankanni in his life. After I wholeheartedly prayed to Our Lady of Vailankanni Matha, my friend who was in come for several days had become normal. Once I prayed for the successful delivery of one my friend’s wife and Matha received our prayers. Not only that, Our Lady of Vailankanni Matha has showered all her blessing on me as well as my family.

He said since one and half year the statue was in my house. But no one knew about that the statue is in my home except my family members only. I supposed to handover a statue during the inauguration of new church building. But I thought that it may not suitable time to handover. Now I decided to handover Matha statue to Kalmady church, he said.

He said he have good respect for Muslims, Christians and others. I will give respect to all religions. I am a clean devotee of Matha Mariayamma since my childhood. Our Lady of Vailankanni Matha has showered lot of blessings on me and my family. His intention to handover a miraculous statue that large number of devotees of Matha can get favours through Our Lady of Vailankanni, he said.

After a witness from Umesh, the parish priest, Fr. Alban D’Souza blessed the statue and installed it inside the church at rear side. After the installation of a statue Fr. Alban thanked Umesh and his family and said let Our Lady of Vailankanni continue to shower her blessings to Umesh family and his friends. He thanked all concerned for the arrangements to bring a statue as well as installation.

Sanjay Andrade, Parish Pastoral Council Vice president, Rev Fr. Praveen Monteiro, parish pastoral council members and large number of devotees were present during the all ceremonies of installation and procession.