Pics by: Stanley Bantwal

Daijiworld media network - Mangaluru (JD)

Mangaluru, Aug 1: The nine day novena prior to the holy feast of St Lawrence Shrine, Bondel began on Tuesday August 2 with the unfurling of St Lawrence's flag on Monday August 1.

The mayor of Mangaluru City Corporation (MCC), Harinath carried out the flag hoisting ceremony. Soon after the flag hoisting, the novena began with the Eucharistic celebration. Fr Alfred D'Souza was the main celebrant. Soon after the first holy mass, a google play store app of the church named 'Bondel Church' designed by two student, parishioners of the church, Lanson Saldanha and Prithviraj from 'AXNDX' was launched.

The Novena will be held till August 9 and the feast of the shrine will be on August 10. As part of the Novena, the second eucharistic celebration was held at 6 pm. Fr Anil D'Souza was the main celebrant. Everyday two masses will be offered at the shrine at 11 am and 6 pm and food will be served after the first mass to the devotees.

The relic of St Lawrence is on display at the church premises for the devotees whereas the relic of the Holy Cross is inside the church on display.

The dignitaries who were present during the flag hoisting included Kavitha Sanil, president of the MCC standing committee for health and education, Lancelot Pinto, president of the MCC standing committee for town planing, corporators Mahabala Maarla, Shashidhar Hegde, Nagaveni and Deepak along with Fr Andrew D'Souza, FR Jaison Monis, Fr Leo Veigus, Fr Sterwin, vice president of the pastoral council Henbert Pinto, secretary Wilfred Alvares and convenor of the arrangements Steven D'Silva.