• Bishop Earl K. Fernandes celebrates the Syro Malabar Mass. Photos by Anna Lincoln
  • Bishop Earl K. Fernandes celebrates the Syro Malabar Mass.
  • Members of the Syro Malabar community participate in a procession around the grounds of Columbus Sacred Heart church.
  • Bishop Fernandes carries a relic of the Blessed Virgin Mary during the procession.
  • Father Niby addresses the Syro Malabar community.
  • Bishop Earl K. Fernandes celebrates the Syro Malabar Mass.
  • Group photo of Bishop Fernandes (center) and the priests who concelebrated Mass as well as the altar servers who assisted.
  • Bridgettine sisters attend the Syro Malabar Mass.
  • Bishop Earl K. Fernandes celebrates the Syro Malabar Mass.
  • Bishop Earl K. Fernandes celebrates the Syro Malabar Mass.
  • Bishop Earl K. Fernandes celebrates the Syro Malabar Mass.
  • Bishop Earl K. Fernandes celebrates the Syro Malabar Mass.
  • Bishop Earl K. Fernandes celebrates the Syro Malabar Mass.
  • Father Petros Tefaye and Father Vince Nquyen concelebrate the Syro Malabar Mass.
  • Bishop Earl K. Fernandes celebrates the Syro Malabar Mass.
  • Bishop Earl K. Fernandes celebrates the Syro Malabar Mass.
  • Bishop Earl K. Fernandes celebrates the Syro Malabar Mass.
  • Bishop Earl K. Fernandes celebrates the Syro Malabar Mass.
  • Bishop Earl K. Fernandes celebrates the Syro Malabar Mass.
  • Bishop Earl K. Fernandes celebrates the Syro Malabar Mass.
  • Bishop Earl K. Fernandes celebrates the Syro Malabar Mass.
  • Member of Syro Malabar community venerates a relic.
  • Members of the Syro Malabar community participate in a procession around the grounds of Columbus Sacred Heart church.
  • Members of the Syro Malabar community participate in a procession around the grounds of Columbus Sacred Heart church.
  • Members of the Syro Malabar community participate in a procession around the grounds of Columbus Sacred Heart church.
  • Members of the Syro Malabar community participate in a procession around the grounds of Columbus Sacred Heart church.
  • Priests from around the diocese of Columbus participate in procession around Columbus Sacred Heart.
  • Members of the Syro Malabar community participate in a procession around the grounds of Columbus Sacred Heart church.
  • Members of the Syro Malabar community participate in a procession around the grounds of Columbus Sacred Heart church.
  • Members of the Syro Malabar community participate in a procession around the grounds of Columbus Sacred Heart church.

On Sunday, Bishop Earl K. Fernandes joined the St. Mary’s Syro-Malabar Catholic Mission community to celebrate the Holy Qurbana. Bishop Fernandes is now the first American Latin Rite bishop to lead the Syro Malabar liturgy. Father Niby Kannai, pastor of the Syro Malabar Community, concelebrated Mass along with seven other priests from around the diocese including Father Vince Nguyen, pastor of Columbus Sacred Heart and Father Petros Tefaye, director of the office of multicultural ministries for the diocese.

This liturgy specifically celebrated the Nativity of Mary and concluded with a procession around the grounds of Sacred Heart Church in Columbus. Following the liturgy, the faithful gathered for food and fellowship and other cultural events.

It is a joy to celebrate the various communities that make up the Church here in Columbus!

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