The Relic of St John Paul II, our beloved Pope were brought to the Sacred Heart Cathedral from the Minor Basilica of Our Lady of Health Harihar by the Jesus Youth on the 13th of October 2023. Having exposed and honoured the Relic at the Minor Basilica, Harihar, it was ceremoniously brought to the Cathedral by the young people at 5.30 pm. Fr Stanish D’Souza, the parish Priest along with Fr Lawrence D’Souza and Deacon Jeson received the Relic with a large crowd of sisters and people assembled in front of the Cathedral.
Then they proceeded in solemn procession into the Cathedral and placed it on the pedestal already prepared and decorated. The choir sang sacred hymns as the Relic was brought inside. This was followed by Holy Rosary conducted meditatively by Fr Lawrence D’Souza. People present devotionally took part in the Holy Rosary.
Solemn Holy Eucharist was celebrated at 6:30 pm with Most Rev. Dr Francis Serrao S.J. Bishop of Shimoga as the main celebrant and ten priests from the Shimoga Diocese and religious concelebrated. Nearly 500 people were present for the Eucharistic celebration. In his homily the Bishop explained about the life of Pope St John Paul II, his pilgrimage to 129 countries, the attack on him by a gun man and how he was saved by our Blessed Mother.
After his discharge from the hospital he visited the person who tried to kill him and forgave the man. The relic is indeed a great opportunity to know and learn from a great saint. At the end of the Mass the Bishop blessed the faithful with the relic of the saint. People stayed back to honour the great Pilgrim Pope. A wonderful opportunity was created for the people to experience St Pope John Paul II.
