450 years of Celebration of Holy Rosary Cathedral
Mangaluru: Rajya Sabha Member Oscar Fernandes has hailed the role played by churches in empowering youth and students, along with their religious activities. He was speaking as the chief guest at a ceremony organized to mark the glorious 450 years of celebration of the Holy Rosary Cathedral at the Rosario Cathedral Grounds on November 18, Sunday. The educational and health institutions started by the Christian missionaries have also contributed a great deal towards the progress of the district, he said.
On this occasion, Oscar released a postal stamp and cover brought out by the Department of Posts to commemorate the 450th year of celebration of the Holy Rosary Cathedral. Rev. Dr Peter Paul Saldanha, Bishop of Mangaluru Diocese presided over the function. In his address, the Bishop said the Rosario Cathedral which was the first Catholic Church in undivided District which was dedicated to Our Lady of Rosary by the Portuguese in 1568 has since then been serving the society in the religious and educational fields.
DK District in-charge Minister U T Khader handed over financial aid extended by the Rosario Cathedral to ten families towards availing title deeds. Bishop Emeritus of Mangaluru Diocese Rev Dr Aloysius Paul D’Souza, Vicar General Msgr Maxim Noronha, Principal of St Aloysius College Fr Praveen Martis, MLCs Ivan D’Souza, S L Bhoje Gowda, former MLA JR Lobo, Apostolic Carmel representatives Sister Mabilia and Sister Milli Fernandes, C J Simon, Vice President of the Parishad, Jagadish Pai, Senior Postal Officer, and others were present.
The Eucharistic celebration held prior to the formal inaugural ceremony was presided over by Most. Rev. Dr Peter Machado, Archbishop of Bangalore. Projects worth Rs 7 lakhs initiated as part of the 450 years of celebration, were launched on the occasion.