The Feast of Our Lady of Mount Carmel celebrated at Infant Jesus Shrine
Mangaluru: The Carmelites of Infant Jesus Shrine, Bikkarnakatte, celebrated the feast of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, also known as the Scapular Feast, on the 16th of July, 2023. The Carmelites are a religious Order that cherishes their spiritual legacy as promoters of scapular devotion. The shrine held nine days of novena in honour of the Blessed Virgin, and on each of these nine days, priests offered reflection on different themes for spiritual edification and fruitful preparation for the feast. Carmelite priests celebrated three masses on the novena days and gave enlightening homilies, describing the accompaniment Mary offered to the entire domain of humanity in the past as well as in the present: to apostles, the Church, migrants, youth, and the persecuted.
On the feast day, the Solemn Mass was celebrated by Rev. Fr. Richard Aloysius Coelho, Director of Fr Muller Institutions, and was concelebrated by Rev. Fr. Melwin D’Cunha, the Superior of St. Joseph’s Monastery, Rev. Fr. Stifan Periera, the Director of Infant Jesus Shrine, Rev. Fr. Deep Fernandes, the Master of the Theology Students, among other priests. Reflecting on the theme ‘Mary’s accompaniment; a Great Boon to humanity, Fr. Richard emphasized her role in the redemptive action of Christ and her continued assistance to humanity over the years.
The faithful gathered in great numbers for the feast, and the joy of the occasion was enhanced by the presence of many priests and religious. The Scapular, a sign of Mary’s protection and the wealth of the Carmelite Order, was distributed to everyone. The ambience of celebration hovered over the entire Shrine campus.
