The coastal city of Mangaluru is preparing for one of its most significant religious events, the annual feast of Infant Jesus at the Infant Jesus Shrine on Carmel Hill, Bikarnakatte. The main celebrations are scheduled for January 14 and 15, preceded by a series of spiritual and charitable activities starting from January 3.
Inauguration and Pre-Feast Schedule
Superior of St Joseph's Monastery, Fr Melvin D'Cunha, outlined the program for reporters. The formal inauguration will occur on January 3 with a votive offering procession (Vojem) originating from Holy Cross Church in Kulshekar. This will be followed by the Sahaballve inter-religious meet and the flag hoisting ceremony at the shrine campus. Rev Dr Praveen Martis, SJ, Vice-Chancellor of St Aloysius (Deemed to be University), will have the honour of blessing and hoisting the flag.
The spiritual preparations intensify with nine days of novena prayers from January 5 to 13. Each day will feature nine masses, commencing at 6 am, and conducted in multiple languages to cater to the diverse devotees: Konkani, Kannada, English, and Malayalam. The first novena mass on January 5 will include special prayers for Mangalureans working and studying abroad.
Special Masses, Processions, and Outreach Programs
A highlight of the novena will be the mass on January 10, dedicated to children and infants, which will be presided over by Rev Dr Henry D'Souza, the Bishop of Ballari. Daily, after the 6 pm mass, a devout Infant Jesus procession will be held. Eucharistic adoration is also scheduled daily at noon.
Extending its mission beyond prayer, the shrine has organized important community outreach programs. An eye camp is set for January 7, while a blood donation camp will be held on January 9 and 10. In a gesture of community service, Anna Santarpane, a free vegetarian meal, will be served daily at noon from January 4 to 15.
Carmel Ignite: An Educational Legacy Initiative
Marking two significant anniversaries—the 300th anniversary of the canonisation and the centenary of the proclamation as Doctor of the Church of St John of the Cross—the shrine is launching a meaningful initiative. Under the banner 'Carmel Ignite', the proposal is to support 400 deserving and economically backward children, irrespective of caste or creed, by providing them with educational scholarships.
Fr D'Cunha explained that this initiative seeks to nurture the educational aspirations of young minds while honouring the enduring legacy of the renowned Carmelite mystic and reformer from Spain. Additionally, a special exhibition will be organized to highlight the significance of this jubilee year dedicated to St John of the Cross.
The annual feast serves as a powerful confluence of faith, charity, and community spirit, drawing thousands of devotees to the iconic shrine in Bikarnakatte, Mangaluru.
