Chitradurga: Our Lady of Velankanni Sub Station of Holy Family Church, Chitradurga, celebrated the annual feast of Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary on September 3.

August 31 was the flag hoisting done by Rev. Fr Richard Anil D’Souza, Dean of Holy Family Deanery and Mission Director of Infant Jesus Church, Challakere.

September 1 and 2, Rev. Fr Pius D’Souza, Diocesan Youth Director of the Diocese of Shimoga prepared all spiritually through retreat and held confessions. He led the healing prayers and Holy Eucharist.

On September 3, Rev. Fr Franklin D’Souza, Parish Priest of Our Lady of Assumption Church, Hiriyur, Chitradurga District was the main celebrant of the feast. Festal celebrations began with the Holy Rosary at 10 a.m. Fr Franklin D’Souza celebrated Holy Eucharist at 10:30 a.m. Parish Priest Rev. Fr Clarence Dias, Rev. Fr Stany Mariyappa, Rev. Fr Lawrence SDB and Rev. Fr Stephen SDB concelebrated the Holy Eucharist.

In his homily, Fr Franklin D’Souza spoke on the Values of the Family of the Blessed Virgin Mary. He spoke on Joachim, Anne and Mary’s family, Zacharias, Elizabeth and John the Baptist family. He also spoke about Herod and Herodias who went against the family values. He invited the faithful to follow in the footsteps of the Blessed Virgin Mary. He said that the external beauty of the feast should radiate internal disposition. He said the greatest gift that we can give or offer is our heart which should be pure. Then he prayed a healing prayer for the faithful.