Udupi: The annual feast of St. Lawrence Minor Basilica will be held on 22,23,24,25 and 26th of January, said Rev Fr. Denis D’Sa, Public Relations Officer of the Udupi Diocese.
Speaking to media persons at the Press Club on Thursday, January 19, he said that all the preparations for the massive event had been completed. “We fondly hope and pray that all the devotees arriving at the Basilica experience mental peace and spiritual contentment. The feast will commence on Sunday, January 22 at 7.30 am with the Holy Mass of Confraternity. On the day there will be special masses for the children at 3 pm and 5 pm.”
On Monday the 23rd, there will be a special Holy Mass for the childfen at 10 am. and for the sick at 3.30 pm. The sick are requested to attend the special Mass for the sick. In all, 31 masses in Konkani and 12 Masses in Kannada will be offered on the days of the feast. The Archbishop of Bangaluru, bishops of Bellary, Belthangady, Mangaluru and Udupi will offer masses during the festival.
In view of the security of the devotees, 64 CC cameras have already been installed in the old and new churches, 32 more cameras are being installed in and around the campus.
About 60,000 sq. ft area has been added in the eastern side of the Basilica recently. This will help the pilgrims at the location of lighting the candles and offering their mite.
Facility for Confessions for the Catholic Christians has been created at the western side where the Miraculous Statue has been installed. The old church has been reserved only for personal prayer.
The devotees may submit their offerings, candles, etc., on the eastern side of the old church. Holy water and Flower (Jala Prasada & Pushpa Prasada) will be distributed to them at the same location.
The Miraculous Spring has been reconstructed in order to visit the “Pushkarni” safely. Pure and cool water for drinking has been provided for the devotees in 5 locations in the campus. In all, 40 new and modern wash rooms have been built adjacent to the Police Service Centre and 20 near the Presbytery during the current year. Commodes have been provided for the use of the physically disabled and senior citizens.
Police officers and security personnel will be looking after the law and order in and around the campus. Bomb-defusing squad and reserve police will take care of the safety of the pilgrims.
The vehicle parking arrangements for the pilgrims is being looked after by experienced Home Guards and associated personnel.
Inorder to avoid the vehicular rush near the Kabettu entrance, arrangement has been made for the vehicles to come from Pulkeri through Doopadakatte as close to the Basilica as possible. In all, five parking lots have been arranged for the four wheelers. A separate parking place has been provided for the two wheelers.
Spacious parking slots for those who arrive through Doopadakatte as well as Kabettu have been arranged. On the Parpale Hill, a new parking lot has been created. The owners and drivers of the vehicles are requested to cooperate with the organisers.
Those who hold vehicle passes and those parked on the Parpale Hill shall not return by the same route. They are to move forward through the one way road to Karkala-Padubidri road.
Candles shall be sold in the official stall of the Basilica only. In view of the safety and convenience of the pilgrims, unauthorised sale of candles in the campus has been prohibited.
Begging has been totally banned during the festival. The donations offered by the devotees for the purpose will be distributed to the beggars, along with meal, on Friday, the 27th at 12 noon.
The announcements and services will be broadcast on the public address system from Doopadakatte to Chetanahalli.
Rev Fr. Royston Fernandes, Assistant parish priest of the Mother of Sorrow Church, Udupi; Michael Rodrigues, Media Coordinator of Udupi diocese were present during the press meet.
