The Feast of St. Sebastian (Arthunkal Perunnal) will commence at St. Andrew’s Basilica at Arthunkal on January 10. Bishop Stephen Athipozhiyil of the Roman Catholic diocese of Alappuzha will hoist the festival flag at 7 p.m. This will be followed by a Pontifical holy mass.
Thousands of devotees from various parts of the State are expected to participate in the a public procession and other festivities on January 20, the high point of the festival.
Prayer sessions, cultural get-togethers, and public meetings have been arranged as part of the 17-day festival. A cultural meet will be held on January 14. It will be inaugurated by Public Works Minister G. Sudhakaran at 7 p.m. A youth art event will be inaugurated by Civil Supplies Minister P. Thilothaman in the evening. Alappuzha Diocese Vicar General Fr. Pius Arattukulam will preside over the function.
January 16 will be observed as Environmental Day. Holy relics will be opened at 5 a.m. on January 18. Cochin diocese bishop Joseph Kariyil will lead a holy mass at 6 p.m. on January 19.
Fr. James Raphael Anaparambil, Coadjutor Bishop Elect of Alappuzha diocese will lead a holy mass at 5 p.m. on January 21. Monsignor Reinhold Purackal and Sr. Fernanda Riva will be remembered on January 22.
The festival will conclude on January 27.
