As one drives along the Malpe Beach in Udipi City amidst lush green fields and giant trees on both sides of the road, one can see beautiful church dedicated to Our Lady of Vailankanni at Kalmady. The church under the administration of Stella Maris parish is also called the ‘Star of the Sea’ for its majestic beauty and grandeur.
As the existing church was not sufficient to accomm’odate the crowd, and the structure aslo has become old and weak, the Vicar and the parish council have decided to build a new church in this God chosen place. For this they even brought the adjacent land too.
The new Church is boat shaped to commemorate the “Star of the sea”. The church Kalmadi Stella Maris Church of the Lady of Vailankani will be inaugurated on January 6 next year. Falvia Mathias, Former Vice-President of the Church, said the church is located near the harbour in Malpe.
“The church is designed in the shape of a boat. A boat is sacared for Christians. In the Old Testament, when there were floods, Noah and the animals survived due to a boat. So, the church represents a vessel. In the New Testament, Jesus was going from place to place in a vessel and once there was a storm and he calmed the storm.
Stella Maris means star of the sea. The church is located close to the sea and a lot of fishermen dwell in the area. The lady of Vailankani brought from Chennai is installed here. Lady of Vailankani is also referred to as the Lady of Health. Lots of people from across faiths visit the shrine,” he said.
Fr Alban D’Souza, parish priest and a counselor, is monitoring the construction work. The total cost of the project is an estimated Rs 5-6 crore. Along with the church, the shrine is also being built for which the foundation stone was laid. A beautiful bell tower based on the Kaup light house will also be inaugurated on January 6. The bell has been brought from Germany. Currently, the work is in its final stages, said Fr Alban.
Every year for the installation feast of the Lady of Vailankani held on August 15, about 15,000 people participate during which four masses in Konkani, English and Kannada are held.
The church which attracts thousands of pilgrims from around the world, in particular from the Middle East throughout the year is in its 25th year of inception, hence quite logically the parishners are geared up with preparation to celebrate the occasion with pomp and festivity. The Church held its Silver Jubilee Celebrations recently in August.
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