Mangalore: St Lawrence feast celebrated with fervour at Bondel Church
Stanley Bantwal
Daijiworld Media Network – Mangalore (VM)
Mangalore, Aug 10: The annual feast of St Lawrence was celebrated with religious fervour at Bondel Church here on Saturday August 10.
Dr Aloysius Paul D’Souza, bishop of Mangalore offered the festal mass while Fr Andrew D’Souza, parish priest, Fr Patrick Sequeira, assistant parish priest, Fr Elias D’Souza, Fr Cyprian Pinto, Fr Francis Rodrigues, Fr Bonifus Pinto, Fr Peter Noronha among others were the concelebrants.
Bishop Aloysius D’Souza in his homily said, "We should lead our life in accordance with the principles of the Church and inculcate the values lived by the saints. Even when problems came his way, St Lawrence faced them bravely. He always came to the help of the sick, the widows and the poor.
"As St Lawrence lived a true Christian life, he became a martyr. Have faith in god even when you face problems in life," he adviced the people gathered.
"Today, the people of Bondel "Church devoted to St Lawrence are trying to understand the values of the saint and live it in a similar manner," said the bishop.
After the mass, the bishop inaugurated the St Lawrence Novena which will be held in the church on every Tuesday by handing over the rice to the parish priest. Similarly, MLA Mohiuddin Bava handed over vegetables to vice-president Rudolph Pinto.
On the occasion, the parish priest, on behalf of the parish, handed over a cheque of Rs 25,000 to Bishop Dr Aloysius D'Souza for the African mission.
Prior to the festal mass, the bishop presented the blessed candles to the sponsors of parish feast and to 'Pirgenth'. The feast was celebrated in a grand manner with the support of vice-president Rudolph Pinto, secretary Reginald D’Souza, Stany Alvares, executive members and all the parishioners.
Various stalls were put up in the parish grounds which were thronged by people after the holy mass.
Thousands of devotees attended the feast to seek divine blessings of St Lawrence.
The evening festal mass at 6 pm will be offered by vicar general Msgr Dennis Moras Prabhu.