Vallarpadam Church festival begins

Kochi: The parish festival flag was hoisted, marking the beginning of the Vallarpadam Church fest in the 500th anniversary year of the Vallarpadathamma Shrine and the installation of the sacred image of Virgin Mary at the church on Monday.

The fest began with Varapuzha archdiocese archbishop emeritus Francis Kallarackal hoisting of the flag on Monday at 5.30pm. The nine-day festival will conclude on Sept 24.

The fifth centenary celebrations of the installation of the sacred image of Virgin Mary in the old church dedicated to the Holy Spirit by Portuguese missionaries in 1524 have been ongoing for the past three years. After the flag hoisting, the Holy Mass was led by Kallarackal, with Fr Stanley Mathirappilly delivering the sermon.

On the concluding day of the festival, the pontifical Holy Mass at 10am will be led by Varapuzha archdiocese auxiliary bishop Antony Valunkal, with Fr Jomson Thottunkal delivering the homily. Before the Holy Mass, there will be a reception for Chendamangalam Paliyam family, associated with the church's establishment.

The descendants of Meenakshiamma from Pallivettu family will distribute the traditional buttermilk.

Beside Malayalam Holy Masses at 7am, 3pm, 5pm and 6pm, there will be Holy Masses in Tamil at 6am and 4pm, and in English at 7pm. From Sept 29 to Oct 1, a special three-day grand jubilee festival will also be celebrated along with the eighth-day fest.

Joseph Joseph Vakayil and Veena Bernard Konamkodath are the ‘presudenthi' for this year's celebrations. The basilica rector Fr Jerome Chamminikkodath, along with co-vicars Fr Antony Shine Kattupparambil, Fr Savio Antony Thekkeppadath and Fr Shibu Chathanad will lead the festival celebrations.

From Monday, the Holy Mass at 5.30pm during the festival days will be officiated by Fr Judis Panakkal, Rev Augustine Mulloor OCD, Fr Martin Azheekkakath, Rev Clement Valluvassery, Fr Ebijin Arakkal, Kottappuram diocese bishop emeritus Joseph Karikkassery and monsignor Mathew Kallinkal.

Fr Yesudas Pazhampilly, Fr Jose Thomas Ocarm, Fr Albin Uzhunnukkattil OCD, Fr Ebin Variyath, Fr Lazar Sinto Thaiparambil, Fr Mithun Mendez and Fr Nelson Job OCD will deliver sermons.