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Udupi : The prelude to Annual Feast of Our Lady of Miracles, “Madi Fest” was observed at Milagres Cathedral, Kallianpur of the Udupi diocese here on Sunday, 8^th January 2023, which declared open the Annual Feast – 2023 by hoisting the Milagres Flag.

The so called Madi Fest was celebrated on Sunday prior to the start of nine days Novena for Our Lady of Miracles which commences on the next day i.e. from Monday. This year the nine days novena starts from Monday, January 09 to 17^th January, 2021. The annual parish feast will be celebrated on 17^th and 18^th January 2023 this year. 

As per the tradition since several centuries, on account of the annual parish feast “Madi Fest” was celebrated by hoisting Our Lady of Miracles flag which was held this year 2023 also. The parish priest and Rector of Milagres Cathedral, Kallianpur of the Udupi diocese Very Rev Fr. Valerian Mendonca was hoisted the Milagres Flag after the 8 am mass. Fr. Valerian Mendonca blessed the flag and then hoisted the flag on top of the Areca nut tree as per the ancestors’ tradition. Rector Rev. Fr. Valerian Mendonca conducted the brief prayers and hymn of Mother of Miracles. Rev Fr. Joy Andrade, Asst. parish priest , Rev Fr. Aloysius Lewis, parishioner and native priest from Thonse ward, Melwyn Sequeira, Vice President, Eugene Rebello Secretary of parish pastoral council and Preema Lewis Convener of pastoral commissions, members of pastoral council and large faithful were present during the hoisting of Miracles flag.  There were Areca nuts on top of the tree that attracted the faithful this year.

The historical Madi Fest tradition has been celebrated by our ancestors for three centuries at Our Lady of Miracles Church, now the Cathedral of the diocese. By the local tradition, it is called “Kodi Yeroni” in Tulu language for the preparation of the annual grand festival of Our Lady of Miracles Church, Kallianpur. The traditional custom is celebrated with 9 days of Novena prayers for Our Lady of Miracles. In front of the church premises, a parish flag with a portrait of Our Lady of Miracles was hoisted at the top of the Areca Nut tree (Madi). Even after the Milagres Church became Cathedral of the Udupi diocese, the same custom of our ancestors has continued to commemorate the tradition of Madi Fest. This year under the leadership of parish newly elected Vice President of the pastoral council, Melwyn Sequeira arranged a fresh Areca Nut tree with a bunch of Areca nuts and used to hoist the flag like our ancestors, otherwise used to hoist the flag over a silver coated pole.

On account of the annual parish feast, the Confraternity Sunday will be observed on Sunday, 15^th January, 2023. The Solemnity of Confraternity Sunday Eucharistic mass will be celebrated from 4pm followed by Holy Eucharistic procession from Cathedral to Ozanum Home for aged premises and culminating with blessings of Holy Eucharist.

On account of the annual parish feast of Our Lady of Miracles, Vespers will be held at 7pm on Tuesday, January 17, 2023. Prior to Vespers prayers, a candle procession will be held from Cathedral via College Road and Kallianpur Road to the Cathedral back along with the decorated statue of “Our Lady of Miracles”.

The annual parish feast will be celebrated on Wednesday, January 18, 2023. Prior to the High Eucharistic celebrations, the honoring candle for the donors, sponsors and others will begin at 10.15 am followed by High mass at 10.30am. In the evening under the leadership of Milagres Friends, tulu drama will be played as usual.