Archbishop Most Rev Dr. Bernard Moras at the Annual Feast of Infant Jesus at Viveknagar

Bengaluru, Jan 14: A sea of humanity of Catholics including people from various religious Faiths gathered on January 14th evening for the feast of Infant Jesus at the concluding celebrations at the Infant Jesus Shrine (established in 1971). A Festive mood was created throughout the campus as it was the climax day of the Novena celebrations.

On the Annual Feast Day, The Archbishop presided over the Tamil and Kannada Language masses.  The designated-Preacher during his mass Fr. Rayappan said,” this child Jesus is the one who created the world and human persons. First time in the history the mother looked like the child. Mary saw the heavenly world on earth in the person of Christ. The kings of the world knelt and worshiped before the child. Therefore, learn to be humble to win the world”. Kannada Language Preacher Fr. Anand Xavier said “Jesus brings the News of Peace in a world ridden by violence”.  He enumerated the 5 features of a child: Innocent, humble, believing, forgetful and dependent, as an element of spiritual growth.

The Archbishop’s Secretary Fr. Paneer Selva Kumar and Priests Rev.Frs. Joseph Menezes, John Rose, Alban Zeo, Gilbert Raj OSM, Christopher Vimalraj were present for 8.30 and 10.00am masses among many others. Over 20 priests were present for the concluding function which marked the blessing and flagging-off of the sacred Chariot carrying the image of Infant Jesus which turn sharply through an at least 5 mile road-route culminating back to the Shrine. The main highlight of the Chariot Procession Ceremony was The Hon Chief Minister of Karnataka Shri Siddaramaiah, Bangalore development Minister K.J.George, Shanthinagar MLA N.A. Haris, were present. In the route, people are seen rendering various forms of homage and devotion seeking favors from God. The Archbishop was felicitated by the Rector cum Parish Priest Rev.Fr.Joseph Menezes and Arcbishop felicitated Chief Minister and other dignitaries on the Dias.  Assistant Parish Priest Rev.Fr.Alban Zeo was the MC of the programme and proposed the vote of thanks.

A touching moment during the public address in the evening event was when the Chief Minister declared to the multitude “Iam praying for the peace in our state and thus seeking the blessing of God for the good of the people, member of the State Legislature N. A. Harris was also present on the dais and received the blessings of the Archbishop. The Development Minister of Bangalore Shri K.J.George also applauded the mind blowing speech of Chief Minister.

The crib and the lightening in the Shrine campus attracted the attention of thousands of pilgrims till midnight while priests stayed on to bless catholic devotees and people of other Faiths who visited the Shrine.