Wednesday, January 25, 2017

St. Lawrence Minor Basilica – Offering solace to all


T
he recent elevation of St Lawrence Church at Attur to the status of Minor Basilica, has taken up the people’s faith a notch higher.  The church is situated about 5 km away from Karkala amidst the picturesque surroundings of Purpale hill. People and tourists irrespective of religion or caste, make it a point to visit the holy shrine.

     The church was a part of the Mangalore Diocese until it was merged into the newly created Udupi diocese in 2012.

History

     The history of the church reveals that it was founded even before 1759 AD. During Tippu Sultan’s regime, St. Lawrence was enshrined at a place called Nakre, about seven kilometers away from the present church. But Tippu said to have demolished the church and taken the Christians to Srirangapatna. Thus they suffered captivity for about 13 years from 1784.

     After freedom from captivity, a thatched roof for St. Lawrence was built under the guidance of a Goan priest. After that a shrine was constructed in 1839, which is retained behind the new church even today.

       An other legend has it that since the Nakre Church was too old,  a Goan priest accompanied by some devotees started searching for another suitable place taking the one foot wooden statue with him. They were tired after reaching the Purpale hills and kept the statue there and took rest for a while. But to their surprise they could not lift up the statue. The priest proclaimed: “Oh St. Lawrence if you have chosen this site, we will have the church built here itself.” In the very next attempt they could pick up the statue. So a shrine was built for St. Lawrence in the vicinity in 1839.

     In 1895 Parish priest Rev Fr. Frank Periera organized novena and prayer services and in 1900 the new church facing north was constructed. In 1975 Rev Fr FPS Moniz constructed a little shrine for St. Lawrence.  As the church developed, so is the number of devotees.  The main tower of the church is built on the lines of the side tower of St. Philomena Church, Mysore.

Minor Basilica

      The shrine was elevated to the status of a Minor Basilica by Pope Francis on April 26, 2016. The public proclamation and dedication was held on the first of August of the same year.

     St Lawrence Basilica is the 22nd in India and second in Karnataka after St Mary’s Basilica in Bengaluru.

Holy pond

     A pond behind the church is believed to have miraculous power. The water is considered therapeutic. Hence many devotees visit the pond and take the water with them. If you pray for your wish to be fulfilled holding a coin in your hand and flung the same into pond, your wishes are said to be fulfilled

Annual feast “Saantmaari”

     The annual feast known as “Saantmaari”, transcends all barriers of religion, caste and creed. Pilgrims from all parts of district and even from outside make a beeline to the church on the occasion. Earlier the feast was celebrated for three days in the last of month of January from Tuesday. Considering the increasing number of devotees it attracts, in recent years the feast is being celebrated for five days from Sunday itself. It’s a fair-like atmosphere with devotion and fun hanging in the air.
 
      Some seek peace of mind, some visit to thank St Lawrence for fulfilling their wishes and still others ensure their dreams come true by praying here.  In all St. Lawrence is a hope for all.



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