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The Feast of Our Lady of Mount Carmel was celebrated in a grand manner at Sacred Heart Cathedral, Shivamogga.

SHIVAMOGGA July 17, 2024: The Feast of Our Lady of Mount Carmel was celebrated on 16 July in grand manner at Sacred Heart Cathedral,  Shivamogga.

On the Feast day, at 7am the Holy Mass was celebrated by Rev. Fr Franklin D’Souza. The solemn festive eucharistic celebration was at 9.30 am, was presided by Most Rev. Dr Francis Serrao SJ, Bishop  of Shimoga. Rev. Fr Arun Venil D’Silva, Procurator of the Diocese of Shimoga preached the Sermon. There were 40 Priests.

In the evening, there was again the Holy Eucharist at 5.30pm, celebrated by Fr Stany D’Souza, the Rector of Sacred Heart Cathedral and the sermon was given by Fr Pius D’Souza,  Director,  Chaitanya, Shimoga. Then followed the decorated boat shape Chariot Procession of Our Lady of Mount Carmel in the main streets of the City of Shivamogga. A large number of devotees took part in the procession. Rev. Fr Richard Anil D’Souza, Dean of Holy Family Deanery blessed the Chariot of  Our Lady of Mount Carmel.

The main theme of the feast was "Pray without ceasing (1 Thessa 5:17)". This theme was divided into 9 sub themes,  wherein, the prerequisites of prayer were explained. The preachers of the Novena days were, Fr Roman Pinto, Parish Priest of Francis Xavier’s Church, Kable, Fr Sunil Rodrigues, Parish Priest of St. Anthony’s Church, Mudigere, Fr Alphonse Nelson D’Souza, HM Loyola High School, Shivamogga, Fr Sunil Rodrigues OCD, Carmel Bhavan, Shivamogga, Fr Santhosh Pereira, Rector of Vianney Minor Seminary, Diocese of Shimoga, Fr Santhosh Almeida, Parish Priest of St. Anthony’s Shrine, Karehalli, Fr Lancy Pinto, Holy Cross Church, Coove and Fr Franklin D’Souza, Youth Director Diocese of Shimoga.

The Sacred Heart Cathedral, Shivamogga has an unique tradition that the faithful celebrate the feast of Our Lady of Mount Carmel feast with utmost devotion and love. The tradition  goes back to 18th century. As the Christian faithful were celebrating the novenas of Our Lady of Mount Carmel in the month of July, the incessant rain flashed the town. The river Tunga was in Spate. As a result the overflowing river water gushed in to suburb areas. The people irrespective of caste and creed prayed in their places of worship to stop the rain. The Christian faithful took out a procession praying the holy rosary to the river bank. The people of other faiths too joined. As they reached the river bank,  they had a short prayer and left the scapular in the waters. As the procession reached back the Church, miraculously rain stopped and water began to recede. This miracle was well received by the people of all faiths. They thanked the Our Lady of Mount Carmel profusely. Ever since,  this feast is celebrated year after year with the right earnestness and devotion.