Mangalore Diocese News

Media Release

Mangaluru, May 9 : It was on the Fourth Sunday of Easter Season on 8th May, 2022 at 8 am that 14 Angels with hearts -festive, full of joy and gratitude accompanied by their parents and friends marched with eagerness for the reception of the Sacrament of the Eucharist for the first time, dressed in white symbolizing purity and newness.

Rev Fr Anil Canute D Mello, Parish Priest presided at this celebration. Other priests the relatives and friends of the First Communicants concelebrated the liturgy. Rev Fr Naveen Pinto, preached an inspirational homily with the narration of the most recent Eucharistic Miracle recognized by the Church Authorities and an extraordinary sign attested to by Science that occurred in 1996 in the capital of Argentina Buenos Aires underscoring the fact that He, the Risen Lord Himself in the mystery of His Divinity and Glorified Humanity, is truly present in the Eucharist. Further he said, "In Jesus Christ, we have a Good Shepherd. He encourages us to recognize His voice and strive to follow Him, knowing that He cares for us and understands our individual problems and situations. He feeds us with life- giving spiritual food in the Word of God and He even gives His life for us in the Eucharist”. He also stated the ways to live the Eucharist in everyday life.

The joy of welcoming Jesus into their lives and renewing their baptismal promises was evident in the cherubic smiles of the children. This momentous occasion was a call to the assembly to realize the significance of their own baptismal commitment and to probe the meaning of Eucharistic sharing. At the end Rev Fr Anil D Mello Parish Priest asked the First Communicants to maintain contact with Jesus, to become more humane, understanding and to cultivate positive thinking.

He thanked the parents and grandparents, their families and Mrs. Celestine Saldanha- Coordinator of Sunday Catechism Classes who accompanied the children on the road that leads them to meet Jesus and to receive Him in their hearts. Rev Fr Anil D Mello planned the Liturgy in such a way that every child had a part to play: Introduction to the Mass was read by Vinisha Ilin D Souza; First Reading, Psalm Singing and Second Reading by Deon Lester D Souza, Rion Aaron Lobo and Shanelle Orah Vas.

Prayers of the Faithful were read by Terrence Leon D Souza, Aashni Riya D Souza, Ashitha Monteiro, Adele Melanie Pereira, Kenita Roseline Veigas, Viyan Sharon D Souza. Prayer after Communion: Ashlita D Souza, Viola Saldanha, Joslene Pereira, Shanon Nazareth.

Certificate of participation in catechism classes, scapular, Rosary and a copy of Konkani New Testament were gifted to the First Communicants.