Pics: Dayanand Kukkaje
Daijiworld Media Network – Mangaluru (SB)
Mangaluru, Jul 31: Ahead of the annual feast of St Lawrence Church, Bondel, an offertory procession (Hore Kanike) witnessing scores of devotees was held in the city on Tuesday, July 31.
Mangaluru mayor Bhaskar Moily flagged off the procession at Mount Carmel School ground, Mary Hill and culminated at the St Lawrence Church premises, with parish priest Fr Andrew Leo D’Souza receiving the offerings.
Flagging off the procession, the mayor said, “St Lawrence Shrine is not only for Christians. It is the devotion centre for people of all religions. It is a centre of communal harmony. People are offering prayers to St Lawrence for various needs and the saint never dissatisfies the devotees. The testimonies of devotees are a proof for the same.”
Fr Leo Veigas, resident priest of Bondel Shrine blessed the offerings and led the offering prayer.
Fr Clifford Pinto, principal, St Lawrence School, Stany Alvares, publicity committee convenor, Henbert Pinto, vice-president, parish pastoral council, Elias Fernandes, proprietor, Four Winds, Rudy Pinto, feast committee convenor and Francis Veigas were present.
On all the days of devotion this year, starting from August 1 and ending with the feast on August 10, devotees will be offered lunch and blessed bread in the evenings. In addition, festive lunch will be offered after the feast mass. On the occasion of feast, the church and its surroundings are decorated with lights by the feast committee and various organisations.