Date:01/12/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/12/01/stories/2008120152110300.htm

Kerala - Kollam

Pullichira church pilgrimage begins today

Staff Reporter

Chandy to inaugurate religious harmony conference on December 6

KOLLAM: The annual Marian pilgrimage to the Pullichira Immaculate Conception Church begins on Monday.

The pilgrimage will formally commence at 8 a.m. on Monday with the church authorities receiving the relics of Saint Alphonsa, a torch and the flag brought from Bharananganam.

Parish priest Lazar S. Pattakadavu said Punalur Bishop Joseph Kariyil would be the chief celebrant at the inaugural high mass.

Priest from Pala diocese Paul Naikarakudiyil will deliver the introductory sermon. Parish pilgrimages from Mayyanad, Kakottumoola, Kannanallur, Mylakkad, Kalakodu, Kunrumandal, Chathannur, Paripally, Perumbuzha, Pazhangalam and Kambivila to Pullichira began on Sunday evening. On the pilgrimage days, church rituals will commence at 6.30 a.m. and social feast at 1 p.m. The religious harmony conference to be held in the evening on December 6 will be inaugurated by Leader of the Opposition Oommen Chandy. A.A. Aziz, MLA, would preside.

General secretary of the Sivagiri Mutt Rithambarananada Swamy, Imam of the Thiruvananthapuram Valiyapalli Hafeez P.H. Abdul Gaffar Moulavi, cine star Balachandra Menon among others will address. Children of the parish will then present a cultural programme.

Bishop emeritus of Kollam Joseph G. Fernandes will be the chief celebrant of the high mass on December 7. In the evening, Kollam Bishop Stanley Roman will bless the pilgrimage flag mast.

The flag will be hoisted in the morning on December 8. Episcopal vicar of Kollam diocese Paul Mullassery will be the chief celebrant of the high mass.

During the festival, community day, women’s gatherings, workers’ meeting, pro-life day, youth gathering, teachers’ gathering, Franciscan meeting and other gatherings will be organised. There will be a retreat programme in the evening from December 13 to 19 led by Kuriakose Punnolil and a team from the Muringoor Divine Centre. The feeding of rice ritual for infants will be held in the afternoon on December 13.

Parish day

The parish day will be observed on December 14. Alappuzha Bishop Stephen Athipozhi will be the chief celebrant of the high mass on that day. The ritual for blessing vehicles will be held on that day. The annual blessing ceremony of the Pullichira Lake will be held at 8 a.m. on December 20.

On the main festival day falling on December 21, there will be four masses from 5.30 a.m. to 8.30 a.m.

Bishop Stanley Roman will be the chief celebrant at the pontifical high mass starting at 10 a.m. The thanksgiving mass will be at 3.15 p.m. on December 22.

The valedictory mass will be held at 5 p.m. on December 31.