THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Feast of Christ the King festival at Madre-de-Deus Church, Vettucaud will be celebrated here from November 11 to 20. This year round, close to 5 lakh people are expected to attend the festival. The ten-day festival will begin with Vicar Nicolas T. hoisting the flag on November 11 evening. Extensive programmes have been planned during the festival period including Holy Mass from November 12 to 18.
Holy blessing, litany, 'Divyabali' and 'Christu Raja Padapooja' will be held. On November 19, Holy Mass will be offered in Hindi at 8 am and 9 am and at 11 am in English. At 3.30 pm, the 'Divyabali' will be offered in the Syro-Malankara order. The circumambulation carrying the icon will begin from 6 pm. Following the 'Divyabali' before the altar on November 20, there will be 'Divyabali' in Tamil and Syro Malabar order.
Under the stewardship of Vicar General Msgr Eugene H. Pereira, the 'Samooha Divyabali' will be performed at 9.30 am. Nearly 40,000 people will take part in the grand feast to be held after that. From November 21 to 25, there will be 'Divyabali' at 5 pm every day. The festival will conclude on November 25. On behalf of the pilgrimage, trains will have stops at Pettah railway station on November 11, 18, 19 and 25.
