Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru
Mangaluru, Nov 13: The centennial closing ceremony, inauguration of the renovated St Lawrence Church, and the official declaration of the St Lawrence Shrine will take place on November 18.
The event will be marked by a Eucharistic celebration led by Dr Peter Paul Saldanha, bishop of Mangalore diocese, along with Bishop Emeritus Dr Aloysius Paul D'Souza, and Dr Gerald Isaac Lobo, bishop of Udupi diocese. The renovated church spans 15,000 sq ft, with a seating capacity of 1,500, and was constructed at a cost of Rs 7-8 crore.
The ceremony on November 18 will commence with a Holy Eucharistic Mass at 3:00 pm, followed by a stage program at 5:30 pm. Several state leaders and prominent dignitaries are expected to attend the event.
Historical overview
Located on the route from Mangaluru to Bajpe International Airport, the beautiful St Lawrence Church and Shrine stand 8 km away in Bondel, surrounded by serene nature. This sacred site, known for attracting many devotees, is now celebrating a historic triple event.
Over a century ago, French missionary Alexander Dubois was enchanted by the area's natural beauty, naming it ‘Bon Vel’ (meaning ‘very beautiful’ in French), which later became ‘Bondel’. Before 1923, the Bondel area did not have an independent church. Local Christians had to travel several miles to Milagres or Rosario churches. Recognizing their difficulty, Fr Louis Fernandes of Milagres Church established a prayer house at Banger, Pachanady, in 1908, along with a school. In 1913, Fr Frank Pereira moved the prayer house and school to the current church location. The new prayer house was completed in 1915, and in 1923, Bishop Paul Perini officially declared Bondel an independent church dedicated to St Lawrence, with Fr Frank Pereira as its first parish priest.
Growth and development
Since its establishment, 12 parish priests and numerous assistant priests have served the church, contributing significantly to its growth. Under the leadership of the current head priest, Fr Andrew Leo D'Souza, assistant priest Fr William D'Souza, and school principal Fr Peter Gonsalves, the church continues to thrive, now serving over 1,200 families across 36 wards.
The St Lawrence Primary School, St Lawrence English Medium Nursery, Primary and High School, and the 116-year-old St Lawrence Kannada Medium School operate under the church’s administration.
Church magazine and facilities
In 1996, the church launched its magazine ‘Bondelchem Bonder’, providing updates on church activities. Event information is also available on the church website, www.bondelchurch.in, offering global access.
In 2012, a Holy Sacrament Chapel was inaugurated, providing a peaceful space for prayer. Additionally, the church houses a relic of the ancient Holy Cross, gifted in 1894, which remains a symbol of deep faith.
St Lawrence Shrine
The St Lawrence Shrine, established in 2012 under the leadership of Fr Andrew D'Souza, has become a popular pilgrimage site, especially during the annual feast on August 10, known for its miraculous reputation. As part of the centenary celebrations, the church has completed the construction of three homes for the underprivileged and the renovation of the church building under Fr Andrew Leo D'Souza’s guidance.
On November 18, Dr Peter Paul Saldanha, bishop of Mangalore diocese, will inaugurate and bless the renewed St Lawrence Church and Shrine, officially declaring it a diocesan shrine.
Fr Andrew Leo D'Souza (parish priest), Fr William D'Souza (assistant parish priest), Fr Peter Gonsalves (principal, St Lawrence School), John D'Silva (vice president), Prakash Pinto (shrine committee coordinator and souvenir editor), Mary Miranda (centenary souvenir editor), and Preeti D’Souza (centenary program coordinator) have warmly invite everyone to join the inauguration and blessing ceremony of the St Lawrence Church and Shrine on November 18.