Mangaluru : Christmas is being celebrated with joy and religious fervour by Christians across the city and the district. Though the pandemic and Omicron fears has cast a shadow, that has not dampened the spirit of the faithful who are celebrating the festival by adhering to all Covid guidelines.

The Christmas mass held at Rosario Church was led by Rev Peter Paul Saldanha Bishop of Mangalore Diocese. Various churches across the district also held special Mass on the occasion of Christmas.

Christmas celebration was held on Friday night in the church with special prayers and sacrifice. Fr Kenneth Crasta officiated the solemn mass at our Lady of Miracles Church, Mangalore and prayed for the intention of the people. Fr Ivan D’Souza, the assistant parish priest exhorted the people in his homily to be in constant search for baby Jesus swaddled with linen in the manger. Just as the shepherds and the wise men from the east who went in search for this poor little babe, we are called to seek him. Jesus is in everyone of our hearts, but specially in those swaddled with poverty, oppression, sickness, depression, and those who are downtrodden in society. We need to constantly seek them and reach out to them, and that’s when the celebration of the birth of Christ becomes meaningful.

Fr’s Bonaventure Nazareth the parish priest, Ivan D’Souza and Maxim D’Souza concelebrated the Eucharist and prayed for the people. The parish priest wished all the parishioners on behalf of the clergy. The winners of crib and star competitions were felicitated at the end of the mass. Cake was distributed to all who attended this solemn celebration.