Mangaluru: Annual Feast of Infant Jesus Shrine Bikarnakatte on Jan 14 and 15

Press Release, Jan 2, 2024, 11:54 AM IST

The Annual Feast of Infant Jesus at Infant Jesus Shrine situated at Carmel Hill, Bikarnakatte – Mangaluru will be celebrated on January 14 and 15, the shrine officials said in a press release.

The celebration commences with a Festal Mass on January 14 at 6.00 pm, led by Rt. Rev. Oswald Joseph Lewis, Bishop Emeritus, Jaipur Diocese. Additionally, a special Mass for the sick will be conducted at 10.30 am by Most Rev. Alban D’Souza, the Rector of St Lawrence Minor Basilica, Attur-Karkala.

The festivities continue on january 15 with the Festal Mass at 10.30 am presided over by Rt. Rev. Dr. Francis Serrao, Bishop of Shimoga and at 6.00 pm will be presided over by Most Rev. Archibald Gonsalves, the Vicar Provincial of the Karnataka Goa Carmelite Province, the release added.

There will be Holy Masses all through the day too on January 14. Mass in Konkani will be celebrated at 6.00 am, 7.30 am in English, 9.00 am in Konkani and 1.00 am in Kannada. Mass for the sick and the aged will be celebrated at 10.30 am in Konkani. The Festal Mass on the Second day (January 15): 6.00 am, 7.30 am, 9.00 am in Konkani; 10.30 Mass for the Children and 1.00 pm in Malayalam (Latin Rite), the release added.

A special Mass will be offered for Children on January 6, Saturday at 6.00 pm. It will be presided over by Rt. Rev Ignatius D’Souza, Bishop of Bareilly.

Formal Inauguration:

The formal inauguration of the festivity will be held on January 4 at 4.00 pm with the votive offering procession beginning at Holy Cross Church, Kulshekar-Mangaluru. It will be followed by an inter-religious meet and flag hoisting.

Nine Days Novena

In preparation for the Annual Feast, nine days of Novena Prayers are held from January 5 to January 13 during which 9 Masses will be offered every day. Masses are as follows: In the morning at 6.00, 7.30, 9.00 and 10.30 in Konkani; At noon 1.00 pm in Konkani; In the evening at 4.00 in Malayalam, 5.00 in English and 7.30 in Kannada. The main mass at 6.00 pm will be celebrated in Konkani in the open air.

Eucharistic Adoration will be conducted daily from 11.30 am to 12.45 pm.

Anna Santharpane, vegetarian meal will be served to the devotees on all the days of the novena and feast days at noon. Blood Donation Camp will be held on January 11 and 12 from 8.30 am to 1 pm, the release said.