Manchester is feeling merry and bright thanks to the Dukrana feast. One of the largest festivals in the United Kingdom begins with a solemn ceremony; it is also known as the Malayattor festival.
Fr. John Pulintanath, regional director in Manchester, began the week of celebrations with prayer chants and a solemn tone. Flag hoisting marked the beginning of the Thirunal celebrations as the processions from different family units of the UK mission arrived at the church.
Southern Indian Catholics celebrate a particularly joyous holiday on the feast of Dukhrana. St. Thomas Day honours the apostle who played a pivotal role in spreading Christianity throughout India.
St. Thomas landed in Muziris, on the coast of Kerala (present-day North Paravur and Kodungalloor), in 52 A.D., according to legend. For the past 19 years, Manchester celebrates Saints Thomas and Alphonsa with the Dukrana festival.
The CSM Voices church choir was founded in the Diocese of Syro-Malabar in the United Kingdom. Fr. Jose Anchanical, chairman of the Great Britain Diocesan Choir Commission, directs the band. Syro-Malabar, Great Britain's Bishop Mar Joseph Srampical extended greetings online. This was the first musical show of CSM Voices held in conjunction with the Manchester Dukrana Festival.
The music entertained the crowd packed at the Manchester, Wythenshawe Forum Centre. Popular artists from the United Kingdom performed alongside Fr. Jose Anchanical, including Whilson Piravam, Dr. Sherin Jose, Deepak, Ashita, Jayalesh, Tessa Chavara, Rex Jose, Tessa Stanley, Geoffrey Rex, Sanu Sajan, and Isabel Francis.
Following the celebrant's celebratory speech, the feast flag was raised at Withinshaw St. Anthony's Church, where pilgrims from various Mission family units had gathered. Trustee Twinkle Eapan presented an opening address, and Trustee Rosbin gave the vote of thanks. The Mission's Manju C. Pallam and Rinsi Sajith served as the event's hosts. The younger members of Mission staff have a variety of stalls in the forum centre.
The 'Prasudhenthi Vazhcha' was a feature of the celebration, and it coincided with the Sunday Holy Mass.
The principal celebrant was Diocesan Finance Officer for the United Kingdom Fr.Joe Moolacherry (VC), and his co-celebrant was Fr. Jose Anchanical. The Liturgy and Novena were held with Fr. Jinson Muttathukunnel (OFM), Fr. Vincent Chitilappally (Director, Manchester Holy Family Mission), and Fr. Jom Kishkanrakat (Director, Sheffield Holy Family Mission) serving as the principal celebrants.
There will be daily Holy Mass and Novena till the major event. The major celebrants will be Father Vincent Chitilappally, director of the Manchester Holy Family Mission; Father Jom Kizhakkarakatt, head of the Sheffield Holy Family Mission; Father Andrews Chethalan, vicar of Litherland; and Father Stephen, assistant vicar of St. Anthony's Church.
St. Thomas and St. Alphonsa's main feast day will be celebrated on Saturday, July 1 at 10 a.m. There will be priests at St. Anthony's Church from across the United Kingdom. Great Britain Diocese Vicar General Fr. Jino Areekatt (MCBS) will deliver the solemn message.
Beginning with the relics of both saints, Muthukuda, gold and silver crosses, and musical ensembles will lead the public procession of the feast. Shrewsbury Diocese's Vicar General, Fr. Michael Gannon, will preside over the ceremony. There will be a parade around the church and through the streets of Wythenshawe, followed by the consecration of the Holy Eucharist and a meal. The flag will be lowered by Mission Director Fr. Jose Anchanical after the Divine Liturgy on Sunday, July 2nd, signalling the end of the celebrations.
Mission Director Fr. Jose Anchanical, Trustees Biju Joseph, Rosbin Sebastian, and Twinkle Eapan, and their respective committees are hard at work making sure the festivities go off without a hitch.