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Udupi : The Annual Eucharistic procession of the Udupi diocese and 10^th anniversary ceremony of the Udupi diocese held at Milagres Cathedral, Kallianpur with devotion and unity on Sunday, November 20, 2022.

The celebrations began with Devine Mercy Rosary which conducted by Rev Fr. Vincent Crasta followed by Solemn Eucharistic Mass. Prior to Eucharistic mass, diocesan priests along with the Bishop of Udupi diocese Most Rev Dr. Gerald Isaac Lobo proceeded by procession from Milagres Tri-Centenary Hall to Milagres Cathedral.

The Solemn Eucharistic mass concelebrated by Bishop along with Very Rev Fr. Valerian Mendonca, Milagres Cathedral Rector, Very Rev Dr. Roshan D’Souza, Chancellor of Udupi diocese, five deanery heads, diocesan priests and religious priests.

In his homily, Bishop said that today we are celebrating the festival of Christ the King and we should be an ambassador of peace and forgiveness. Jesus Christ wishes for His Kingdom to begin to be established in our world. Jesus is the King of every human being and the world. On this solemnity of Jesus Christ, the King of Universe, invites us to reflect on the Kingship of Christ who is our King, the King of Kings and the Lords of Lords. Jesus said that I am the way of the truth and that’s why He came to the world. Jesus, the King of Love, rules over all the earth with a heart of forgiveness and mercy, compassion and love in His service. When we recognized the people with the heart of forgiveness and mercy, compassion and love, we have found Jesus in our lives. We see the face of Jesus when we care for the people who needs.

The mass was followed by the brief adoration which was conducted by Rev Fr. Cyril Lobo, Director of Divya Jyothi and the Solemn Eucharistic procession. The bass band led the procession followed by the Cross, candle bearers and the devotees. The Bishop held the Blessed Sacrament that was rested on a pedestal fitted on a decorated vehicle. The huge procession moved through the Kallianpur road, Ozanam, Goretti Hospital and entered the Mount Rosary Church premises.

After the reading from the Gospel by Rev Fr. Johnson Sequiera, Principal of St Mary’s English Medium School Udupi, beautiful and meaningful homily, Fr Johnson gave the message on importance and significance  of Eucharist. He said that the Eucharist is the symbol of unity, sacrifice and forgiveness which showing in our neighbor. The Eucharist feeds and nourishes us spiritually and also helps us resist temptation. It also helps is be Christ-like in loving God and our neighbor. The importance of the Eucharist cannot be overstated. The Eucharist is Our Blessed Lord, Our Creator who holds us in existence at each instance. By the Eucharist celebration we already unite ourselves with the heavenly liturgy and anticipate eternal life when God will be all in all.

The Bishop read out the prayers along with all participants of the Eucharistic celebrations and Eucharistic blessings over all faithful at the end.

In commemoration of the 10^th anniversary of the establishment of Udupi diocese, Bishop launched a health fund for the needs of the community without a grand celebration. Meanwhile, the history of the diocese, books containing the histories of the churches covered by the diocese and a documentary depicting the achievements of the Diocese in ten years were released on the occasion.

The Blessed Eucharistic procession was attended by priests, nuns and more than 4,000 devotees of the diocese and it was conducted in a disciplined manner. The water bottles given to the devotees along the way were collected and kept clean by the volunteers themselves and the members of the Indian Catholic Youth Movement helped the procession to proceed in a disciplined manner on the road.

During the occasion Very Rev Fr. Valerian Mendonca, Rector of Milagres Cathedral, Dr. Eugene D’Souza of Moodubelle, Commodore Jerome Castelino V.S.M. retired senior naval officer and Melwin Mascarenhas, Bishop’s long term driver and diocesan press photographer were felicitated. Meanwhile, Bishop also felicitated during the occasion. Bishop at the end gave his message and gave gratitude to all concerned.

Along with the Bishop, Very Rev Fr. Valerian Mendonca, Rev Fr. Rouque D’Souza parish priest of Mount Rosary, Very Rev Dr. Roshan D’Souza Chancellor of the diocese and Rev Dr. Leslie D’souza Vicar of Shirva Church were present on the dais. At the end Fr Leslie proposed vote of thanks. Diocesan Pastoral Council Secretary Leslie Aroza compered the programme.

The Blessed Eucharistic procession was attended by priests, nuns and more than 4,000 devotees of the diocese and it was conducted in a disciplined manner. The water bottles given to the devotees along the way were collected and kept clean by the volunteers themselves and the members of the Indian Catholic Youth Movement helped the procession to proceed in a disciplined manner on the road.