Annual Feast of Our Lady of Health, Velankanni Shrine, Kalmadi to be celebrated on August 15
Udupi: The Velankanni Shrine at Kalmadi is preparing to host its annual feast of Our Lady of Health on August 15th, a revered event anticipated by devotees from near and far.
This year’s feast carries the theme “Mary, Queen of Hope,” offering a message of solace and encouragement to the faithful. In preparation for the grand celebration, a nine-day novena, consisting of prayers and Masses, will be held each evening from August 6th to August 14th, creating an atmosphere of spiritual reflection and devotion.
The novena is scheduled to commence on August 6th at 3:45 PM, with Rev. Fr. Alban D’Souza, Rector of St. Lawrence Basilica, Attur, Karkala, officiating the inaugural ceremony. Throughout the novena, special prayers will be offered each day, focusing on the specific needs and intentions of various groups within the community, including devotees, married couples, benefactors, youth, priests and religious, the elderly, the sick, and families. This inclusive approach underscores the Shrine’s commitment to serving the diverse spiritual needs of its congregation.
A significant event preceding the feast day will be a procession of the statue of Our Lady of Velankanni on August 10th (Sunday) at 3:00 PM. The procession will commence from Kalmadi Bridge, with Monsignor Ferdinand Gonsalves, Vicar General of the Udupi Diocese, officiating the flag-off ceremony. The procession offers a public display of faith and devotion, allowing devotees to express their reverence for Our Lady of Health.
The feast day, August 15th, will feature a series of solemn Masses. The main festive Mass, a focal point of the celebration, will be held at 10:30 AM and presided over by Most Rev. Dr. Gerald Isaac Lobo, Bishop of the Diocese of Udupi. Additional Masses will be conducted at 7:30 AM and 4:00 PM in Konkani, catering to the linguistic preferences of a segment of the local devotees. An English Mass will also be offered at 6:00 PM, ensuring inclusivity for English-speaking attendees.
Rev. Fr. Baptist Menezes, Director of the Shrine, released a press note outlining the schedule and details of the annual feast, inviting all to participate in the religious observances and celebrations. The annual feast of Our Lady of Health at Velankanni Shrine, Kalmadi, is expected to draw a large number of pilgrims and devotees, fostering a sense of community and spiritual renewal.