Special Blessing of Children at Infant Jesus Shrine, Mangaluru – KONKANCATHOLIC.COM

Special Blessing of Children at Infant Jesus Shrine, Mangaluru

December 28, 2023

Mangaluru: The Infant Jesus Shrine, Carmel Hill, Mangaluru, held today the Feast of the Holy Innocents. Since it is a Thursday, there were nine Holy Masses in honour of Infant Jesus.

A special mass was celebrated at 10.30 am, where Fr Rudolph D’Souza, OCD, presided over and preached a very meaningful homily. In his homily, while reflecting on the plight of those innocent children who were massacred by King Herod, he explained how children become easy victims of abuse, substance abuse, addiction, etc. There were special prayers and individual anointings of children after the Mass.

A theme song for the Annual Feast of Infant Jesus was released on the same occasion. Deva Sobd Monis Zalo, a new hymn composed by Rev. Fr Aaaron Babush Rodrigues, reflects on the humanity of Jesus.

The Church today celebrates the Feast of the Holy Innocents. The day commemorates the execution of the innocent male children in Bethlehem, as told in Matthew 2:16. A special blessing is invoked on children on this day.