Year: 2023

Chitradurga, September 4 ,2023: Our Lady of Velanganni Sub Station of Holy Family Church, Chitradurga, celebrated its annual feast of Nativity of Blessed Virgin Mary on September 3rd.

August 31st was the flag hoisting done by Rev. Fr Richard Anil D’Souza, Dean of Holy Family Deanery and,Mission Director of Infant Jesus Church,  Challakere. 

September 1st & 2nd, Rev. Fr Pius D’Souza, Diocesan Youth Director of Diocese of Shimoga prepared spiritually through retreat and held confessions. He also led the healing prayers and Holy Eucharist. 

On September 3rd, Rev. Fr Franklin D’Souza, Parish Priest of Our Lady of Assumption Church, Hiriyur, Chitradurga District was the main celebrant of the feast. Festal celebrations began with Holy Rosary at 10am. Then Fr Franklin D’Souza celebrated Holy Eucharist at 10:30am. Parish Priest Rev. Fr Clarence Dias, Rev. Fr Stany Mariyappa,  Rev. Fr Lawrence SDB & Rev. Fr Stephen SDB concelebrated the Holy Eucharist. 

In his homily Fr Franklin D’Souza spoke on the Values of the family of Blessed Virgin Mary. He spoke on Joachim, Anne & Mary family, Zacharias, Elizabeth & John the Baptist family. He also spoke on Herod and Herodias who went against the family values. He invited faithful to follow the footsteps of Blessed Virgin Mary. He said that external beauty of the feast should radiate internal disposition. He said the greatest gift the we can give or offer is our heart which should be pure. Then he prayed a healing prayer for the faithful. 

After the Mass there was a decorated chariot procession by the faithful. 

Then Fr Franklin D’Souza led the adoration and prayed for the people. Which concluded with benediction. 

Cultural programmes were organised by the Sub station children. 

Parish Priest Fr Clarence Dias thanked the Donors as well as priests and religious. He also thanked everyone those who supported for the feast.

Meals was served for all those gathered.  Around 350 faithful participated in the festal celebration.

Davanagere, Harihara, September 5, 2023: Seventh day’s Novena at Our Lady of Health, Minor Basilica, Harihara, Davanagere District, Diocese of Shimoga, began at 5:30pm with flag hoisting done at “Darshana Degula” (Apparition place) Chapel by Shri. Harish, MLA of Harihara constituency.

Then there was Rosary and floral homages to Harihara Matha. Then Basilica Rector & Parish Priest Rev. Fr George K. A. led the Novena.

At 6:30pm Rev. Fr Anthony Nazareth, Parish Priest of St. Thomas Church, Davanagere, offered the Holy Eucharist. He preached his homily on the theme: “Mother Mary is a model for upbringing of children in the family”. 

In his homily he explained that role of parents in upbringing of the children in the family. Mother Mary is the perfect role model in upbringing of our children. The role she played as Mother of Jesus is really praise worthy.  She knew the plan of God. But didn’t know how it will take place. She walked in faith and never compromised values if life. Her prayer life and faith influenced many around her.

Rev. Fr George K A, Rev. Fr Venil D’Silva, Rev. Fr Richard SJ and Rev. Fr Shanthraj SJ concelebrated the Holy Eucharist. 

After the Mass Rev. Fr Anthony Nazareth led the benediction and priests prayed over the pilgrims.

Rector of the Minor Basilica Rev. Fr George K A thanked Rev. Fr Anthony Nazareth 

Davanagere, Harihara, September 3, 2023: Fourth day’s Novena at Our Lady of Health, Minor Basilica, Harihara, Davanagere District, Diocese of Shimoga, began at 5:30pm with Rosary, Procession and floral homages to Harihara Matha. Then Basilica Rector & Parish Priest Rev. Fr George K. A led the Novena.

At 6:30pm Very Rev. Fr Richard Britto, Rector of St. Peter’s Pontifical Seminary, Malleshwaram, Bengaluru offered Holy Eucharist. He preached his homily on the theme: “Mother Mary is an inspiration for Unity in the family”. 

In his homily explained the unity of Joachim, Anna and Mary. How they kept up their faith amidst of the difficulties they have faced. He called the faithful to respect elders in the family and take their examples as role models. He also spoke on the  importance of the family values. Mary is role model for all of us through her sacrifice and commitment to the call of God till end of her life.

Rev. Fr Venil D’Silva, Rev. Fr Alphonse Lobo and Rev. Fr Alvin Stanislaus concelebrated the Holy Eucharist. 

After the Mass Rev. Fr George K A led the benediction and priests prayed over the pilgrims.

Then he on behalf of Minir Basilica felicitated Rev. Fr Richard Britto as he is in the year of his silver Jubilee of Priestly Ordination. 

September 2, 2023: Fourth day’s Novena at Our Lady of Health, Minor Basilica, Harihara, Davanagere District, Diocese of Shimoga, began at 5:30pm with Rosary, Procession and Novena led by Rector & Parish Priest Rev. Fr George K. A.

Then Rev. Fr Franklin D’Souza, Parish Priest of Our Lady of Assumption Church, Hiriyur Chitradurga District offered Holy Eucharist. He preached his homily on the theme: “Mother Mary is an inspiration for Forgiveness in the family”. 

In his homily he stressed need of Forgiveness in the family. He said that Mother Mary is the real example how she forgave the people who mocked at her son. She never complained or grumbled about anything in her life. She was a very serene woman, who knew her roe as a Mother of Jesus and as handmaid of Heavenly Father. He also said that when we Forgive, healing takes place in us. Harihara Basilica is such a place which gives us grace to Forgive people those who have hurt us. Then he led a healing prayer. 

Rev. Fr Venil D’Silva, Rev. Fr George K A and Rev. Fr Alvin Stanislaus concelebrated the Holy Eucharist. 

After the Mass Rev. Fr George K A led the benediction and priests prayed over the pilgrims.

September 1, 2023: Third day’s Novena at Our Lady of Health, Minor Basilica, Harihara, Davanagere District, Diocese of Shimoga, began at 5:30pm with Rosary, Procession and Novena led by Rector & Parish Priest Rev. Fr George K. A.

Then Rev. Fr Richard Anil D’Souza, Mission Director of Infant Jesus Church, Challakere as well as Manager and Corresspondent of Infant Jesus School, Challakere, offered Holy Eucharist. He preached his homily on the theme: “Mother Mary is an inspiration for love in the family”. He explained about Love of God which radiated in the life of Mary. How she obeyed God with love and faced everything with the loving grace of God.  He said that we invited to love one another. We should build our families upon love of God through which experience healingin our live. Rev. Fr Venil D’Silva, Rev. Fr George K A and Rev. Fr Alvin Stanislaus concelebrated the Holy Eucharist. 

After the Mass Rev. Fr George K A led the benediction and priests prayed over the pilgrims.

Harihara, August 31,2023: Second day’s Novena at Our Lady of Health Minor Basilica, Harihara Davanagere, Second day’s Novena at Our Lady of Health, Minor Basilica, Harihara, Davanagere District, Diocese of Shimoga.

Novena began at 5:30pm with Rosary, Procession and Novena led by Parish Priest Rev. Fr George K. A.

Then Rev. Fr Alwin Stanislaus, Manager and Correspondent of Lourdes Boys School, Davanagere offered Holy Eucharist. He preached his homily on the theme: “Mother Mary is an inspiration for prayer in the family”. He stressed importance of the prayer in the family and through prayer we receive abundant blessings of God.

After the Mass Rev. Fr George K A led the benediction and priests prayed over the pilgrims.

ಕುಂದಾಪುರ, ಸೆ. 7: ಉಡುಪಿ ಧರ್ಮಪ್ರಾಂತ್ಯದಲ್ಲೆ ಹಿರಿಯ ಇಗರ್ಜಿಯಾದ 452 ವರ್ಷದ ಇತಿಹಾಸ ಇರುವ ಹೋಲಿ ರೋಜರಿ ಚರ್ಚಿನಲ್ಲಿ ತೆನೆ ಹಬ್ಬ (ಮೇರಿ ಮಾತೆಯ ಹುಟ್ಟು ಹಬ್ಬದ)  ಪ್ರಯುಕ್ತ ತಯಾರಿಗಾಗಿ 9 ನೇ ದಿನದ ನೊವೆನಾ ಸಂಪನ್ನವಾಯಿತು.ಇಗರ್ಜಿಯ ಪ್ರಧಾನ ಧರ್ಮಗುರು ಅ|ವಂ| ಸ್ಟ್ಯಾನಿ ತಾವ್ರೊ ಪವಿತ್ರ ಬಲಿದಾನ ಅರ್ಪಿಸಿ ನೊವೆನಾ ಪ್ರಾರ್ಥನೆ ನಡೆಸಿಕೊಟ್ಟು, 9 ದಿವಸಗಳ ನೊವೆನಾಕ್ಕೆ ಹೆಚ್ಚಿನ ಸಂಖ್ಯೆಯಲ್ಲಿ ಮಕ್ಕಳು ಹಿರಿಯವರು ಆಗಮಿಸಿದಕ್ಕಾಗಿ ಧನ್ಯವಾದಗಳನ್ನು ನೀಡಿದರು. ನಾಳೆ ಸೆ. 8 ರಂದು ಕನ್ಯಾ ಮರಿಯಮ್ಮನ ಜನ್ಮ ದಿನಾಚರೆಣೆ ಮತ್ತು ತೇನೆ ಹಬ್ಬ ವಿಜ್ರಂಭಣೆಯಿಂದ ನಡೆಯುವುದೆಂದು ತಿಳಿಸಿದರು.

Davanagere; 2023: All roads led to the Minor Basilica of Our Lady of Health in Harihar on August 30, 2023.

The Annual Feast of Harihar Matha Basilica began with the hoisting of the flag by Most Rev. Dr. Francis Serrao SJ, Bishop of the Diocese of Shimoga, and Sri. S. S. Mallikarjun, Hon’ble Minister of Mines & Geology and Horticulture, Govt. of Karnataka. The Rector of the Basilica, Rev. Fr. George K A, welcomed the dignitaries and the gathering.

Flagging off the nine-day celebrations, Bishop Francis Serrao SJ urged the faithful to imbibe the values of Mother Mary, who wipes the tears of the distressed.

Thousands of devotees from all walks of life, some clad in saffron, witnessed the event. The sudden inflow of pilgrims threw the traffic out of gear in the city. Many priests of the diocese concelebrated the high mass with Bishop Francis Serrao SJ. The theme of the homily was: “The life of Mother Mary is the source of inspiration for women.”

After the Eucharist, priests blessed the devotees by laying their hands on their heads. Following the celebrations, the devotees took part in the “Anna Santharapane” (Food).

Prayers were held for the farmers, rains, as well as for the leaders. State Minister S S Mallikarjun inaugurated the event and also hoisted the flag along with His Grace Bishop Francis Serrao SJ. He wished all the devotees well and prayed for the good of all. Mr. Nandigavi Shrinivas, the young, energetic, and vibrant Congress youth leader, was also felicitated at the function. This function was successfully hosted by Gnanaprakash D, the secretary of the parish.

Annual feast of Our Lady of Health Basilica, Harihar, Davanagere District, Diocese of Shimoga Christianity has a long history in the state of Karnataka. The history of Our Lady of Health Church dates back to the 18th century. A new Church dedicated to Our Lady of Health was built on 31st August 1992. On 27th May 2012, the shrine was officially declared as a Diocesan Shrine of the Diocese of Shimoga. The Vatican has raised the Shrine of Our Lady of Health, Harihar to the status of a Minor Basilica on 18th September 2019. This is the third shrine in Karnataka to have received the status of Minor Basilica after St. Mary’s Minor Basilica in the Archdiocese of Bangalore and St. Lawrence Minor Basilica in the Diocese of Udupi. The official celebration of this milestone was held on 15th January 2020. Festival of Our Lady of Good Health: The feast of Our Lady of Good Health is celebrated every year on September 8th – on the day of Nativity. There is a chariot procession carrying the statue of Our Lady of Good Health. The Chariot would be decked with (Sevanthige) Chrysanthemum flowers sourced from Arsikere. This year’s festival begins on August 30th. Most Rev. Dr Francis Serrao SJ, Bishop of Diocese of Shimoga will hoist the flag of Blessed Virgin Mary. Shri. S. S. Mallikarjun, Hon’ble Minister of Mine & Geology and Horticulture, Government of Karnataka will be the chief guest. From August 30th to September 7th, every day at 5:30pm there will be procession, Novena, Floral Homage, Holy Eucharist, Adoand healing prayer for the Sick will be led by different priests. On September 7th evening 5:30pm Mass will be offered by Most Rev. Dr Robert Miranda, Bishop of Diocese of Gulbarga. Then there will be Adoration and healing service led by Fr Franklin D’Souza, Fr Roman Pinto and Bro. T. K. George. On September 8th festal day there will be Masses in various languages. 5:15am in Kannada, 6:15am in Telugu, 7:15am in Malayalam (Syro Malabar Rite) by Most Rev. Dr Joseph Arumachadath, Bishop of Diocese of Bhadravati, 8:45am in Tamil, 10am in English, 11am festal Mass by Most Rev. Dr Francis Serrao SJ, Bishop of Diocese of Shimoga. At 1:15pm Mass in Konkani, 2:30pm healing adoration by Yesusparsha Team. 4pm Mass in Kannada, 5pm Solemn procession, 7pm Mass in Kannada. Rev. Fr George K A, Rector of Our Lady of Health Basilica had already made all preparations together with the faithful of Harihar.