Milagres Centenary Inaugural Mass. January 10, 2010.

Milagres Centenary Inaugural Mass. January 10, 2010.

Mangalore Today

Centurion Milagres Church -PART.2.

 

 

Mangalore, Jan.10:  At 9.am sharp the Bishop of Mangalore Rev.Dr.ALOYSIUS P.D’SOUZA, was received ceremoniously at the church main gate, along with other dignitaries by the Parish Priest Fr.Walter D’Mello, former parish priest Fr.Alexander D’Souza, Vicar Var Fr.Stany Goveas, Chev.Clarance Pais, senior and prominent parishioners. Priests,Nuns, Gurkars and Laity.

The arch at the entrance gate was a traditional one of Palm fronds,and fruits. The dignitaries were escorted with colourful umbrellas,band and a Mizo welcome dance by the Mizo Candidates of Bethany Convent Attavar in a most attractive manner. Immediately thereafter, the solemn con celebrated Mass commenced in the church which was full to capacity.
 

Amidst the huge gathering inside the "Milagres Igerez"(Church) on the threshold  of its 100 years, the feelings are exhilarating - full of Nostalgia and Sentiment. The ancient members of the Church  entered  in a procession with lamps in hand,followed by several alter boys and over two dozen priests. The opening chorus:

 
"Zamliam Bapa templanth thujia, bali betunk Raya serginchya" (We are gathered Father in your temple, to offer sacrifice to the Heavenly King)  The lights and lamps came alive and the Theme of the Jublee:

 
YEYA PHIRGEZ KUTAM BANDYA
{"COME LETS US BUILD THE PARISH FAMILY"}

 
The gathering was amazed, and the opening function spellt a revelation on the attractive progressive programmes which are to follow till 16.January,2011, the finale of the Centenary.
 

The mass in Konkani, was partly in Nostalgic Latin, which the below 40 aged crowd will not be familiar with, Latin was in use in all masses world wide till about 1965 and thereafter the local languages came into use. For the older folk it brought many sentiments rushing in and many could be seen surreptitiously wiping the eyes, such is the impact of times gone by and history. The heralding tone of the Latin "GLORIA IN EXCHELSIS" (Glory to God) was a rapturous moment and the Jublee year was declared open.

 
The Bishop of Mangalore, whose first forerunner not only started this Church and lived here, but his grave is prominent at the entrance of the present cemetery( the site of the first church), just beside the  present Church. Milagres was under many congregations/orders like Carmelites,Jesuits,Seculars and so on.In his homily in Chaste Konkani, His Lordship elaborated on how - The history of a church is closely intertwined with it’s people. The appearance of the present Milagres is not only beautiful and esthetic, but also brings a sense of peace and devotion to many common people, without discrimination, under stress in the daily grind of  life in the heart of the city. Presently the Rosario Cathedral too has been beautified and brought to the standards of other Cathedrals. He pointed out that in the course of  330 years of the presence of this church how many people would  have received sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation,Communion,Matrimony,Holy orders, and last rites; the number of Masses by priests and bishops and the adoration’s and prayers had sanctified this spot to an unimaginable extent! His talk brought a deep sense of gratitude among the listeners on  the importance of the church generally.

 
The Ceremonies ended with the Symbolic inauguration of the various programmes detailed earlier,to follow in the course of the year to mark the centenary. Watch this website-mangaloretoday- for regular information and updates on the course of this great event in Mangalore City.

 
After the mass the venue shifted to the Milagres Hall, next door where a blood donation camp was held. The importance of the need for blood in illness can not be stressed.One hundred people (or even more) volunteered  to donate blood at this camp. The camp was under the banner of "Catholic Sabah of Milagres", the medical services were provided by Fr.Muller’s hospitals.Mangalore. The arrangements were state-of-the-art and also served to motivate future efforts.
 

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