News & Pics: Fr Richard D’Souza
Director, Canara Communication Centre, Diocese of Mangalore
The year-long centenary celebrations of Rosario Cathedral concluded on Sunday April 12 with a grand event marking the finale.
The four-day finale had started on April 9 which was observed as day of prayer in which prayers for the departed bishops, pastors and lay faithful were offered. April 10 was the vocation day where all the past pastors and religious superiors participated. April 11 was the parish day where all the parishioners congregated to celebrate. And the final day was reserved for felicitations, release of souvenir and enactment of history of Rosario.
At 4.30 pm on Sunday Holy Eucharist was celebrated by Dr Aloysius Paul D’Souza as the main celebrant and Dr Lawrence Mukkuzhy the bishop of Belthangady, Dr Francis Serrao, the bishop of Shivamogga and Dr Ignatius D’Souza the bishop of Bareily and with more than fifty priests as concelebrants.
Dr Gerald Isaac Lobo delivered the homily. Dr Lobo said, “My temple will be called a house of prayer. These are the words found in the Bible. We are celebrating the centenary of this prayer house which has seen a century. This is the time we thank God for all his favours. Let us be like Jacob from the holy book who followed God.”
The felicitation and cultural programme followed afterwards in which Dr Aloysius Paul D’Souza was the president. Dr Lawrence Mukkuzhy the bishop of Belthangady and Dr Ignatius D’Souza the bishop of Bareily were special guests. Msgr Dennis Moras, Sr Doreen D’Souza, Fr Denzil Lobo S J, Sr Lydia Fernandes, Octavia Albuquerque were the Chief guests. Ministers Ramanath Rai, MLA J R Lobo, MLC Ivan D’Souza, and secretary of diocese M P Noronha were the guests of honour. Dolphy D’Souza and John D’Silva the vice president and the secretary of parish pastoral council respectively were also on the dias.
Dr Lawrence Mukkuzhy said in his speech, “Cathedral is a seat of bishop. This cathedral has given the faith in this region. So many people who lived here in these four hundred fifty years of the existence of the parish have left a message for us that faith is here to remain. Bishop sits on the seat of this cathedral and he is the representative of God. He is there to guide you in your spiritual needs. It is a joyous day for us to celebrate the hundred fruitful years of this magnificent structure.”
Octavia Albuquerque former MLC from Mangaluru and also a parishioner of Rosario thanked God for all his prayers and wished the cathedral the best in future.
‘Cathedra’, a souvenir on centenary celebrations was released by Dr Aloysius Paul D’Souza.
Msgr Dennis Moras briefed the history of Rosario in his impeccable style. It should be remembered that he has done an extensive study on the advent of Christianity in the region. His message was very simple and clear – that one should continue the good things of the history in the future forgetting the wrong things. Monsignor said that two saints, one recently canonised and one to be canonised next month, lived in Rosario parish and also two persons became bishops who were born in the parish.
Bishop Dr Aloysius Paul D’Souza the chief patron of the cathedral was honoured by the parishioners.
Dr Aloysius Paul D’Souza his presidential address said, “You are aware how many times I come here. This is my parish. I have been coming here for the past four days also. Not only as seat for me as bishop, but in every way this cathedral has had a special place in my and your hearts. Faith came to us from this cathedral. Let us pass this on to the next generation as it was given to us from our forefathers. A lonely lady said ‘two’ when asked how many people reside in her house. She had added Mother Mary as the extra person in her house. Let us also add Mother Mary as another member of our family. She is the light in darkness. When we celebrate the century of Most Holy Rosary Cathedral, it is an honour to Rosary queen. Let us always keep Mary in our lives.”
Fr J B Crasta the parish priest was honoured on this occasion. The important persons who contributed to the jubilee year in different ways were honoured which included the representative from Daijiworld.
John Lobo and Doreen Fernandes compered the entire programme. Fr J B Crasta welcomed the gathering in the beginnig soon after the prayer song. John D’Silva proposed vote of thanks.
A colourful drama on the history of Rosario with duration of 45 minutes written and directed by Vinod Gangolli was presented by the parishioners. The drama won the hearts of people as could be seen by the reactions of people. More than 100 artistes acted in the drama.
