Daijiworld Media Network – Mangaluru

Mangaluru, July 31: The grand offertory procession of St Lawrence Church and Shrine, Bondel, was flagged off from Mount Carmel School on Thursday, July 31, as part of the annual feast celebrations.

Former minister Ramanath Rai flagged off the procession and was felicitated on the occasion. Parish priest Fr Andrew Leo D’Souza of St Lawrence Church and Shrine blessed the procession.

Present on the occasion were assistant parish priest Fr Lawrence Cunha, Sr Melissa, principal of Mount Carmel School, Fr James D’Souza, parish priest of Vamanjoor Church, Fr Jeevan Sailesh, assistant parish priest of Vamanjoor Church, Fr Peter Gonsalves, principal of St Lawrence English Medium School, Fr Peter Mascarenhas, Fr Arul, superior of Betharram Formation House, Prakash Pinto, convenor of the church committee, Steevan D'Silva, offertory procession convenor, John D'Silva, vice president of the Parish Pastoral Council, and others.

This year’s celebration holds special significance, as it marks the first feast after the church was officially declared a shrine on November 18, 2024 —a historic and grace-filled milestone for the parish.

The theme for this year’s feast is “Pilgrims of Hope.” To spiritually prepare for the celebration, a nine-day novena will begin on Friday, August 1. Each day will include morning adoration from 10:30 am to 11 am, followed by holy Mass, novena prayers, and blessing of the relic of St Lawrence. Evening services will feature adoration from 5:30 pm to 6 pm, followed by solemn Mass, novena, and relic blessing.

Each day of the novena will be dedicated to a special intention, offering prayers for personal, family, and communal needs of the faithful. The novena will commence with the ceremonial hoisting of the St Lawrence flag on August 1 at 10 am.

The flag will be hoisted by MLC Ivan D’Souza, marking the beginning of a sacred journey of prayer and reflection. The inaugural Mass will be celebrated by Dr Rajesh Melvin Rosario, Rector of St Joseph’s Inter-Diocesan Seminary, Jeppu.

On the feast day, August 10, Dr Peter Paul Saldanha, Bishop of Mangalore, will preside over the solemn festal Mass at 10:30 am. In the evening, the concluding festal Mass at 5:30 pm will be celebrated by Dr Aloysius Paul D’Souza, Bishop Emeritus of Mangalore.

Coinciding with the novena inauguration, a religious articles store will be officially opened on August 1. It will offer sacred items, including candles for lighting at the shrine, enhancing the devotional experience for pilgrims.

From August 1 to 9, noon meals will be served daily for devotees attending the novena. Priests will also be available during this period for the sacrament of reconciliation and spiritual counselling.

All novena and liturgical services will be conducted under the guidance of parish priest Fr Andrew Leo D’Souza and St Lawrence Shrine Committee convenor Prakash Pinto.

The church has extended an open invitation to all devotees to participate in the novena and feast, offer goodwill offerings, and Mass intentions. Blessed articles and religious items will be available at the shrine stalls throughout the celebrations.