Media Release

Mangaluru, Oct 8: The feast of Our Lady of the Rosary and Rosary Day were celebrated with great devotion and reverence at St Sebastian Church, Bendur, on October 7. The celebration brought together parishioners of all ages in a beautiful expression of Marian faith and unity.

The evening began with a Holy Mass, celebrated by Fr Vivek Pinto as the main celebrant. In his inspiring homily, Fr Vivek highlighted the power of the Holy Rosary as a prayer of peace, love, and family unity. He encouraged the faithful to make the Rosary a part of their daily lives, drawing strength and blessings from Mother Mary’s intercession.

After the Mass, the candlelight procession to the Grotto began solemnly, with parishioners carrying candles and the statue of Our Lady of the Rosary leading the way. The sight of hundreds of glowing candles created a serene and prayerful atmosphere as the faithful walked in unison, reciting the Rosary with devotion.

The Rosary was led by Fr Meckenzie Mendonsa, assistant parish priest of St Dominic Church, Ashoknagar, along with Fr Vivek Pinto and Fr Ozmond D’Souza. The parishioners actively participated, responding to the prayers with deep faith and reverence.

Throughout the Rosary, the choir team sang melodious Marian hymns, filling the air with spiritual warmth and devotion. A graceful Marian dance was presented by the children and the Bethany Sisters, symbolizing love and honour towards Mother Mary. Their performance added a special charm to the celebration and was met with heartfelt applause from the gathering.

Vinod D’Souza, vice president of the parish pastoral council, welcomed the gathering and expressed gratitude for the overwhelming participation. Patsy Britto, Parish Secretary, proposed the vote of thanks, acknowledging the contributions of priests, choir members, organizers, and all parishioners who made the celebration meaningful and devotional. The evening concluded with the distribution of refreshments, fostering a spirit of fellowship among the faithful.

The Rosary Day celebration at St Sebastian Church, Bendur, was a truly prayerful and grace-filled occasion, strengthening the parish community’s devotion to Our Lady of the Rosary and reminding all of the beauty and power of prayer.