Bangalore Archdiocese

By Fr Franklin Dsouza

Shivamogga, July 18 : The Mount Carmel Feast was celebrated on 16th July 2025 at Sacred Heart Cathedral, Shivamogga. In preparation for the Parish Feast, the flag hoisting ceremony of Our Lady of Mount Carmel took place on 6th July, 2025 at 5:30 PM. The solemn event was graced by the presence of Msgr C. Francis from the Bangalore Archdiocese, who had the honour of hoisting the flag of Our Lady of Mount Carmel. Furthermore, Fr Victor Lobo SJ, Vice Chancellor of St. Joseph's University, Bangalore, presided over the Eucharistic Celebration. The ceremony was conducted in a spirit of reverence and unity, marking the commencement of a significant occasion in the Cathedral.

The 9-day Novena began on 7th July, with various priests celebrating the Eucharist at 6:00 PM each day, spiritually preparing the faithful with thought-provoking and meaningful homilies basing their insights on the theme "Hope doesn't disappointment us" (Rom 5:5).

On the feast day, 16th July, Mass was celebrated at 7:00 AM, followed by another Mass at 9:30 AM and 5:30 PM, the Solemn Festive Mass was celebrated by Most Rev. Dr Duming Dias, Bishop of Diocese Karwar, with the concelebration of 40 priests and in the evening 20 priests approximately joined the mass in concelebration. The entire atmosphere was deeply spiritual, as the faithful gathered to receive God's blessings through the intercession of Mount Carmel.

After the evening Mass, a grand solemn procession commenced at 7:00 PM, winding its way through the streets of Shivamogga. The procession was marked by a disciplined and prayerful ambiance, facilitated by the volunteers and the faithful. Together, the participants walked, prayed the Rosary, and sang hymns in praise and devotion to Our Lady of Mount Carmel.

The feast not only brought the faithful together in prayer but also fostered a sense of solidarity, with all working in unison to honour Mother Carmel. The church and its surroundings were beautifully adorned with flowers and lighting enhancing the spiritual atmosphere both at the altar and outside the church.

Msgr. Very Rev. Fr. Stany D'Souza, Rector of Sacred Heart Cathedral, Shivamogga, as well as Vicar General of the Diocese of Shimoga, thanked Bishop Duming Dias and all those who made this feast a success. Assistant Parish Priest Fr. Jostro MSFS coordinated the entire feast with the parishioners.

The Sacred Heart Cathedral, Shivamogga has a unique tradition that the faithful celebrate the feast of Our Lady of Mount Carmel with utmost devotion and love. The tradition goes back to the 18th century. As the Christian faithful were celebrating the novenas of Our Lady of Mount Carmel in the month of July, the incessant rain lashed the town. The river Tunga was in spate. As a result, the overflowing river water gushed into suburb areas. The people, irrespective of caste and creed, prayed in their places of worship to stop the rain. The Christian faithful took out a procession, praying the holy rosary to the river bank. The people of other faiths too joined. As they reached the river bank, they had a short prayer and left the scapular in the waters. As the procession reached back the Church, miraculously, rain stopped and water began to recede. This miracle was well received by the people of all faiths. They thanked Our Lady of Mount Carmel profusely. Ever since, this feast is celebrated year after year with the right earnestness and devotion.