Silver Jubilee
Sacred Heart Cathedral of Shimoga witnessed a great historical moment on January 31st 2023. It is the celebration of the Silver Jubilee of the Cathedral, a special day to express our gratitude to God for the wonderful work he has done in our Shimoga Diocese through this edifice. It was the dream of a great visionary Late Dr Ignatius Paul Pinto, the first Bishop of Shimoga to have a special place of worship for the people of the Diocese.
Historically this was considered as the second largest Cathedral Building in India. It was the day to look back into the past 25 years and visualize the marvelous work the Almighty is going in and through the Temple of God. To celebrate the event the Jubilee Mass was celebrated at Sacred Heart Cathedral on Tuesday, 31th January 2023 at 5:30pm.
A large number of priests of the Diocese, religious priests, religious sisters and lay persons from the Cathedral and neighboring parishes assembled in the Cathedral to participate in the Eucharist. The theme of the mass was: ‘Temple of Love, Prayer and Unity’ expressing the oneness of the people of God assembled before God.
This special theme invited the congregation to actively participate in the Holy Sacrifice and in the breaking of the Word and the Bread. Rev. Dr Francis Serrao SJ, Bishop of Shimoga was the Main Celebrant of the Eucharist. As he broke the word of God before the assembly, with a meaningful homily, he helped the congregation to understand the inner meaning of the Jubilee.
In his touching words he invited all to participate worthily in the Eucharist. At the end of the Eucharist, the Parish Priest, Rev. Fr. Stanish D’Souza expressed his gratitude to all those who in big and small ways have contributed to the building of the Institution for over the past 25 years. He remembered Archbishop Emeritus Dr Ignatius Pinto, the Parish Priests, the assistant priests and the Deacons who have served at this Cathedral.
There were around 45 priests both diocesan and religious along with around 40 women religious and a large number of lay faithful were gathered to enhance grandeur of the celebration. This was followed by fellowship meal, served as a sign of ‘Banquet of Love and Unity’ all present at the Eucharist.