Pindi Perunnal
As far as the Chittattukara parish is concerned January 6 and 7 have been
the most auspicious days of the year. These are the days on which the feast
of the patron of the parish, St Sebastian, and the Danaha feast are jointly
celebrated. These days are the days of celebration for the entire region.
By the evening of 6 January, every house in the parish lights the pindi. The
shape of the market with the closely packed houses and shops assume a new
splendour on that occasion. On either side of the 1.5 kilometer long market
hundreds of pindis burn brightly. It is a marvelous sight to watch the
pindis that rise to the same height. Various communities light different
kinds of pindis. Thousands are attracted by the pindis and the beautiful
decorations.
Among the services in the church on 6 January, the ‘vespara’ is the most
attractive. It is now found only in a very few churches in the whole of the
diocese. The church, its compound and the surroundings are filled with
people. The beautiful illumination and the very enchanting fireworks at
night add to the attractions. The procession with the arrows, the festival
mass and the main procession express the unity and spiritual growth of the
parish.
The small feast
The small feast is celebrated on the Sunday after the 15 of May. It is the
feast of St Mathew and St John Nepumsianos. This feast has been celebrated
every year in a very worshipful manner. Since it is during the mid summer
vacation, it often becomes an opportunity for annual family get together
too.
The monthly feast of St Sebastian
It is also known as the ‘20th day feast.’ It shows the trust of the
parishioners in the patron saint. Every month there is holy mass and laeenj
in connection with the feast. Those who have got the saint’s blessings and
those who need it sponsor the feast. Very often one has to wait for a very
long time in order to get an opportunity to sponsor one.
Monthly feast of Blessed Evupasiamma
It started February 2007. It is celebrated on every 29. Chittattukara is one
of the very few churches where the relic of the Blessed is placed for
veneration. Any time one can see lots of people standing in front of the
statue of the mother begging favours, and to express their gratitude for the
favours already received. In addition to the above mentioned main feasts of
the parish, there are also minor feasts like that of St Antony, St Pious X,
St Francis Assisi, St Vincent de Paul, the sacred heart of Jesus, that of
the cross, the feasts of the virgin Mother, and the Dukrana feast of St
Thomas. |
