Mangaluru: The Annual Feast of Infant Jesus Shrine, Bikarnakatta, Mangaluru will be held on January 14 and 15. A grand Votive Procession was flagged off at Kaikamba-Bikarnakatta by Rev. Fr. Charles Serrao, OCD, Provincial, Karnataka Goa Province.
The procession began at 5 PM from Kaikamba to the Infant Jesus Shrine at Bikarnakatta. Rev. Fr. Wilfred Rodrigues (Superior, St. Joseph’s Monastery), Rev. Fr. Prakash D’Cunha (Shrine Director), Rev. Fr. Liguori Crasta, along with the Carmelite brothers, Carmelites Secular, Ballok Jezu Kutam, Infant Jesus Auto Drivers’ Welfare Associaton, friends, devotees and benefactors of the Infant Jesus Shrine were in the procession.
The colourful offertory procession witnessed participation of many faithful devotees of the shrine. The offertory items donated by various donors of the city contained vegetables, rice and other food items which will be used to prepare lunch that will be served on January 15 and all the Novena days.
The Annual Feast of Infant Jesus began at Carmel Hill on January 4 by hoisting the flag. Before the flag hoisting, a short stage programme was held, where the well-wishers and donors were honoured. Rev. Fr. Melwyn Noronha, VG of Mangalore Diocese, Rev. Fr. Charles Serrao, Provincial of Carmelites, Rev. Fr. Wilfred Rodrigues, Superior of St. Joseph’s Monastery, Bhaskar Moily, Mayor of Mangaluru, Sabitha Misquith, Corporator were present on stage. Rev. Fr. Prakash D’Cunha, Shrine Director compered the programme.
Rev. Fr. Melwyn Noronha prayed for the success of the festivity at the shrine and then along with the honoured guests, hoisted the flag. The Feast of Infant Jesus will be celebrated with a nine-day novena. Masses and prayers will be held throughout the day during the Novena period from January 5 to 13. The solemn celebration will be held on January 14 and 15.
