The 3rd pilgrimage to the tombs of St.Alphonsa and Blessed
Chavara Kerala and touring other places like Munnar,Kochi,Ernakulam
- Simon Lasrado, Bangalore
Bangalore, Dec 17: We left Bangalore, the garden city on 9th evening by
Kanyakumari Express to the lush green gardens of Bharananganam, the famous
Shrine of St. Alphonsa. We were 45 in number from the different parishes from
Bangalore/Mangalore/Goa/Poona. We arrived at Kottayam Railway station on the
following noon and proceeded by bus towards the Diocesan Vocation Center which
is located just opposite to the shrine. We had our lunch there,had little rest
and in the afternoon visited the St.Alphonsa's museum. We saw the things which
are neatly arranged and well presented at the museum used by St. Alphonsa. We
carried with us some souvenirs very specially the mud from the tomb of
St.Alphonsa. We went to the Shrine and had the Holy Mass offered by Fr. Peter
Mascarehnas, who stressed the importance of Christian life of Holiness as St.
Alphonsa lived herself. We had meaningful praise and worship on our journey by
Mrs Peggy(Goa) and company with melodious voices.
The following day we went to the tomb of Blessed Elias Kuriakose Chavara. He was
the founder of the Carmelites of Mary Immaculate. We had the Mass and the
instruction on the life of Blessed Chavara by Fr. James,the parish Priest. We
visited the museum and moved towards Kumarakom for the house-boat drive in the
back waters. The boat ride was very memorable with singing, dancing, and the
session on crying,laughing and so on. All enjoyed the program arranged by the
game organizers Mrs.Moreen Colaco and Mrs.Benny Veigas. After a typical fish
meal we travelled to Munnar, the hill station. We reached late in the evening
and spent the night at the Pastoral center and next day we went out for
site-seeing. We visited Rajamala, saw the mountain goats,Kannan Devan Tea
Factory and in the afternoon visited Kundala dam,Mattupatty Dam, Eco point,
Elephant point and other places. We did little shopping as the place is known
for spices. The following day we left early in the morning to Cochin and visited
the Jewish Synagogue,Dutch Palace,China Market, Francis Xavier Church and had an
hour boat ride to Ernakulam. Our visit to the Two cathedrals, the Latin rite and
Syrian rite was interesting too. We had our lunch and went about shopping and
moved towards Ernakulam Railway station and started our journey back to our home
town Bangalore. It was a trip enjoyed by all with Holy Mass, Prayer, fun and
laughter. Bravo to the Organizers Mrs.Moreen Colaco,Mr.Kevin Colaco and Mr.Simon
Lasrado.Thanks to them and one and all..
