Mangalore:  The centuries old local Milagres Church venerated by local Christians, held its annual Eucharistic Congress with a procession on January 8(Sunday)afternoon.

Bishop of Mangalore, Dr. Aloysius Paul D’Souza at 4PM celebrated a Mass(prayer) with several priest of the diocese and the faithful laity gathered in large numbers.

Later, the procession was also led by the city Bishop, followed by an adoration at the giant Rosario Catherdral, a km away.

Those who did highest collections of cash and gifts from the parishes were honoured on the occasion.

Bejai Church had collected Rs.4.60 lakhs, while Milagres received Rs4 lakhs close on its heels. The Cordel, Derebail, and Bendur churches followed in that order.

Bishop D’Souza in an address recalled that the local diocese was carved out of a larger Goa diocese in 125 years, now. The SJ celebration was fixed as on February 11 and 12, he revealed. He expected the Arechbishop of Rome in the event. He added that 2012 is going to be a joyous year. Fr. Boni face compound.