Shrine of 'Saint of Miracles' gets Minor Basilica status

More than 25,000 devotees witnessed the historic celebrations of the proclamation of the shrine of St Lawrence as Minor Basilica on Monday. It is the second basilica in Karnataka and 22nd in India.

Prior to the solemn Eucharistic Mass, rector of the shrine, Fr George D’Souza conducted the novena service in preparation for the titular feast of St Lawrence which would be celebrated on August 10.

The grand eucharistic celebration commenced at 10 am with the procession of priests, followed by bishops and cardinals. Prior to the mass, Udupi diocese bishop Gerald Isaac Lobo welcomed Archbishop of Mumbai, Oswald Cardinal Gracias, the chief celebrant of the Holy Eucharist.

Archbishop Oswald Cardinal Gracias, in his introductory remarks, said the elevation of the Shrine of St Lawrence as Minor Basilica is a great honour not only to the diocese of Udupi, but also for Karnataka and India. He also said that St Lawrence, who is regarded as the ‘Saint of Miracles’ would shower his blessings on his devotees. Oswald Cardinal Gracias began the mass in Konkani.

Prior to the singing of ‘Gloria’, Baselios Cardinal Cleemis, the Major Archbishop-Catholicos of the Syro Malankara Catholic Church, Thiruvananthapuram and president of CBCI, read the proclamation decree in Latin. Thereafter, he handed over the decree to Fr George D’Souza, who read it in Konkani.

Archbishop of Bengaluru Bernard Moras in his homily said the elevation of St Lawrence shrine to the status of Minor Basilica and its proclamation and dedication is a historic and spiritual event and conveyed his compliments to the devotees of Karkala and the diocese of Udupi.

He added that there are 1,740 minor basilicas in the world out of which 22 are in India including the newly proclaimed St Lawrence Minor Basilica.

There was exemplary discipline and devotion during the entire Eucharistic celebration. Over 15,000 devotees participated in the Holy Mass. Nearly 200 priests and 15 bishops along with three cardinals concelebrated the Holy Eucharist.