Annual feast of St Lawrence Basilica Attur starts today

Annual feast of St Lawrence Basilica Attur starts today

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangaluru, Jan 21, 2018: The annual feast of St Lawrence Basilica, Attur, Karkala, will be held January 21 to 25.  The priests at the Basilica are ready with all preliminary preparations for this annual feast.

According to St Lawrence Basilica Rector Rev Fr George D’Souza, the flag of St Lawrence Basilica will be hoisted on Sunday followed by holy mass marking the beginning of the annual feast with the observance of the Confraternity Sunday and Eucharistic procession.

Special masses for the children will be held at 3 pm and 5 pm respectively.

On January 22, there will be special masses for the sick and ailing at 10 am as well as 3.30 pm respectively. The sick persons are requested to visit the Basilica on the same day.

During the annual feast days, there will be 33 masses in Konkani language and 10 in Kannada language. During these days, Bishops of Shivamogga, Belthangady, Mysuru, Mangaluru and Udupi will be offering masses on different days.

For the security of the pilgrims, an arrangement of 64 CCTV cameras have been installed inside as well as outside of the old and new church buildings.

As many as 32 CCTV cameras will cover the premises of the Basilica.

For the convenience of the pilgrims, additional space has been provided to the left side of the Basilica as well as the place where candles will be lit.

For Catholic Christians, special arrangements for confessions has been made to the right side of the Basilica next to the Miracle Statue. Pilgrims can use the interior of the old church for the purpose of prayers only.

Pilgrims can make their offerings in terms of money, materials or wax articles on the left side of the Basilica.

Facilities:  Fresh and cold drinking water facility will be provided at five points in the premises of the Basilica.

For answering nature’s call, 40 toilets have been provided with modern amenities in a specially constructed structure by the side of the Police Help Post at the entrance to the Basilica. Besides, there are 20 toilets by the left side of the presbytery.

Five spots have been reserved closer to the Basilica for the vehicles entering the Basilica from Kabettu and Doopada Katte. Separate parking arrangement has been made for two-wheelers.

Pilgrims, who arrive through Doopada Katte, can park their vehicles at the vast space towards the left, towards the left of the turn near Garden House and towards the left after crossing the Garden House.

Vehicles can also be parked at the place belonging to Robert Noronha.Vehicles, coming from Kabettu side, can be parked in the playground of the high school after crossing Prasad Tailors Junction. Pilgrims can also park their vehicles on both sides of the Chetana Halli Road.

Those pilgrims, who drive by the left side road of the cemetery, can park their vehicles on the newly arranged parking place on the Parpale Hill.

Vehicles with passes can approach the Basilica through Kabettu-Attur Convent Road only.

Begging during the annual feast days is completely prohibited in the premises of the Basilica. Pilgrims can deposit their donations for the beggars in separate boxes, which will be distributed to the deserved people, on January 26 at 12 noon along with food.