Pics: Meryick D'Silva
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (JS)

Mangaluru, Aug 1: Bondel Church devoted to St Lawrence will be celebrating its annual feast on Monday, August 10. As preparation for the feast, the novena was inaugurated by MLA of Mangaluru South constituency J R Lobo by hoisting the flag of the Church here on Saturday August 1.

Addressing the gathering, J R Lobo said, "This is a happy occasion. Every year as part of the preparation for the annual feast novenas are held for 9 days. There is a huge responsibility on each one of us in the fields we represent. Let the lord protect and save each one of us in our endeavours. Each one of us has a mission. Let us ask God's grace to help us fulfill the mission given to us. During the 9 days of novena, let us pray to lord for our society, city, our country, to have good leaders to represent us and all the citizens of our country.

"Being in the social life we too have challenges and we request everyone's prayer to overcome these challenges. I wish a grand success to the annual feast," he added.

Chief guest mayor Jacintha Vijay Alfred said, "As part of the preparation for the annual fest, novenas are conducted for 9 days. Prayer is very important in the life of each one of us. We Christians should give maximum importance to prayers at our homes too. Let us pray for God's grace in our lives through the 9 days of novena. I wish grand success to the annual feast to be held on August 10."

Fr Joseph Martis, rector of St Joseph's Seminary blessed the occasion and offered the holy eucharistic mass while Stany Alvares compered the inaugural ceremony.

As preparation for the feast there will be a novena followed by mass from August 1 to 9, at 11 am and 6 pm every day. The annual feast will be held on Monday, August 10. A solemn mass will be offered by the bishop of Mangaluru, Dr Aloysius Paul D'Souza at 10 am, followed by an evening mass by Dr Henry D'souza, bishop of Bellary.

The specialty of this year's annual feast is that sacred particles from the wood of the holy cross of Jesus Christ have been found in the church. They were given to the church in April 1894. This was kept in the archives of St Lawrence Church and recently came to light. After authentication, it was proved that the sacred particles are from the wood of the Holy Cross. During the solemn mass Dr Aloysius Paul D'souza, bishop of Mangaluru will re-install the cross in the church.

Parish priest of Bondel Church, Fr Andrew D'Souza, assistant parish priest Fr Jason Monis, parish priest of Thokur Church Fr Richard Lasrado, superior of Betharam Fathers, Fr Stervin, Fr Charles Menezes,parish council vice-president Henbert Pinto, secretary Wilfred Alvares, Elias Fernandes, convener Steven and others were present.