The annual feast of St Lawrence Minor Basilica will be celebrated in a simple manner due to Covid 19 restrictions. On account of the annual festival celebrations, novena will be held from January 18 to 28.
The inauguration of the novena will be held on January 17 during the 8 am Mass.
The inauguration of the novena will be held on January 17 during the 8 am Mass.
To avoid overcrowding and to follow Covid-19 norms, from January 18 onwards, during the novena days, there will be five Masses per day at different timings which will start at 8 am in the morning and the last Mass of the day will be offered at 5 pm. Other mass timings are 10 am 12 pm and 3 pm.
The Basilica committee has requested the devotees to follow the guidelines issued by the government while visiting the Basilica from January 18 to 28 and be blessed with the grace of St Lawrence.
Guidelines to the devotees
Only 200 devotees will be allowed to attend the Mass. Wearing masks has been made compulsory in the church premises. There will be special prayers for the sick after every Mass. However, priests praying by keeping hands on the head of devotees is prohibited. Except for the religious stall, there will not be any other stalls allowed on the premises.
The Basilica premises will be closed after last Mass at 6:30 pm to 7:00 am the next day. This year, there will not be special arrangements for the confessions. Relic of St Lawrence will not be kept outside for honouring.
Festival Masses and celebrants
Dr Francis Serrao, bishop, diocese of Shimoga, will preside over the Holy Eucharistic celebration on Sunday, January 24 at 10 am. Mass will be celebrated in Konkani.
Dr Aloysius Paul D’Souza, bishop emeritus, diocese of Mangalore, will preside over the festive Mass on Monday, January 25 at 10 am. Mass will be celebrated in Konkani.
Dr Lawrence Mukkuzhy, bishop, diocese of Beltangady will preside over the Holy Eucharistic celebration on Tuesday, January 26 at 10 am. Mass will be celebrated in Kannada.
Dr Gerald Isaac Lobo, bishop, diocese of Udupi, will preside over the Holy Eucharistic celebration on Wednesday, January 27 at 10 am. Mass will be celebrated in Konkani.
Dr Peter Paul Saldhana, bishop, diocese of Mangalore, will preside over the Holy Eucharistic celebration on Thursday, January 28 at 10 am. Mass will be celebrated in Konkani.
- DW