Mangalore, Jan 02: The Annual Feast of Infant Jesus at Infant Jesus Shrine, Carmel Hill, Bikarnakatte – Mangaluru will be celebrated on Jan 14,15 &16, 2021.
1. Festal Celebration:
The Festal Mass on Jan 14at 10.30a.mwill be presided over by Rev. Fr. Ronald Serrao, Rector of St Joseph’s Seminary and at 6.00p.m. will be presided over by Most Rev. Dr Francis Serrao, Bishop of Shimoga. The Festal Mass on Jan 15 at 10.30a.m. will be presided over by Most Rev. Dr. Peter Paul Saldanha, Bishop of Mangalore and at 6.00p.m. will be presided over by Very Rev. Maxim Noronha, Vicar General of Mangalore Diocese. The Festal Mass on Jan 16 at 10.30a.m. will be presided over by Rev. Fr. Paul Melwin DSouza OFM Cap, Vicar for Religious, Mangalore and at 6.00p.m. will be presided over by Most Rev. Dr. Aloysius Paul D Souza, Bishop Emeritus.
There will be Masses all through the day too on 14 Jan. Mass in Konkani will be celebrated at 6.00 a.m. 7.30a.m. in English, 9.00 a.m. in Konkani and 1.00 p.m. in Kannada. Mass for the sick and the aged will be celebrated at 10.30 a.m. in Konkani. The Festal Mass on the Second day (Jan 15): 6.00a.m. 7.30 a.m.9.00a.m. in Konkani; 10.30- Mass for the Children &1.00 in Malayalam. The Festal Mass on the Third day (Jan 16): 6.00 a.m. in Konkani, 7.30 a.m. in English, 9.00 a.m. in Konkani, 1.00 p.m. in Konkani and 6.00p.m. Mass in Konkani.
2. Formal Inauguration
The formal inauguration of the festivity will be held done by hoisting the flag on Jan 4, 2021 at 5.30p.m.followed by Mass.
3. Nine Days Novena
In preparation for the Annual Feast, nine days Novena Prayers are held from Jan 5 to Jan 13 during which we have 9 Masses every day. Masses are as follows: In morning at 6.00, 7.30, 9.00 and 10.30 in Konkani; At noon 1.00 p.m. in Konkani; In the evening at 4.00 in Malayalam, 5.00 in English and 7.00 in Kannada. The main mass at 6.00pm will be celebrated in Konkani in the open air.
Covid Precautions:
Infant Jesus Shrine abiding by the Government regulations on Covid 19, is keen on providing safety to the people in its premises. In collaboration with Girija Pharmaceuticals, the Shrine will avail all the services in combating Covid 19. There will be regular health check ups on novena days as well as feast days. Masks will be provided to the needy. The Place of worship will be sanitized and clean drinking water and other facilities will be provided to all pilgrims and special prayers will be offered for the protection from Covid 19 pandemic.
Fr Rovel Dsouza OCD, Director, Infant Jesus Shrine, Mangalore, Fr Lancy Lewis OCD, Assistant Superior, St. Joseph’s Monastery, Stanly Bantwal, Media Representative were present at the Press meet.