Udupi: The blessings of Holy Oils and Priests’ Day was celebrated at Milagres Cathedral, Kallianpur, Udupi Diocese on Thursday, April 6. Rev (Dr) Fr. Gerald Isaac Lobo, Bishop of Udupi diocese solemnly concelebrated the Eucharistic celebrations along with Msgr. (Dr). Fr. Baptist Menezes, Vicar General of diocese, Rev Fr. Valerian Mendonca, Chancellor of Diocese, deans of five and around 74 priests.
Prior to the start of Eucharistic celebrations, a huge procession of the priests proceeded towards the Cathedral from Milagres Tri-centenary Hall.
In his homily, bishop pointed out the role of priests in their mission of proclaiming the Word of God. “It is especially necessary that listening to the Word of God should become a life giving encounter, in the ancient and ever valid tradition of Lectio Divina, which draws from the biblical text the living word which questions, directs and shapes our lives. The proclamation of the Holy Gospel has main fundamental responsibility of the priest.
Priests are the ones who proclaim the word of God, Holy Gospel. They are not devoted to certain group. They help to proclaim the Gospel according to the tradition of the Holy Church. Knowledge of and familiarity with the Word of God is also of prime importance for priests in their calling to the ministry of evangelization.
The complete objective of St. Paul is to proclaim the word of God to the devotees. It should not be system. The mission of Christians given in the hands of priest is to do the job of Christ. Priests are to share the Gospel not only with believers but also non-believers. Priests are to teach not their wisdom but also the word of God.
The blessings of three kinds of Sacred Oils, all of which signify the work of the Holy Spirit and symbolise it in that oil serves to sweeten, to strengthen, to render supple.”
Bishop Gerald blessed the three Holy Oils, the Holy Oil of the Sick, the Holy Oil of the Catechumens and the Holy Chrism Oil.
At the end of the mass, Rev Fr. Stany B Lobo, Rector of Cathedral gave gratitude of words for the event of blessings of Holy Oils.
At the end of mass, cold drink was served to all the participants from across the diocese which was donated from Stevan Prema Lewis of Tenkabettu ward of Milagres Cathedral. Rev Fr. Stephen D’souza compered the liturgy of the mass.
In the day, the get together rand consultation of all priests of the diocese was held at Milagres Tri-centenary Hall. Around 74 priests of the diocese participated.
