The nine-day novena, prior to the annual feast of St Lawrence Church, Bondel, began on Wednesday, August 1 with the unfurling of St Lawrence’s flag here at the church premises.

Fr Andrew Leo D Souza, parish priest who hoisted the flag said, “Two months back I was appointed as a parish priest of Bondel church and on the very first day of weekly novena itself, I experienced the miracle of St Lawrence. I have noticed that large numbers of non-Catholics are visiting this shrine for prayer. It is a holy place similar to St Lawrence Basilica of Karkala. I welcome everyone to the annual feast of this shrine. Come in large numbers and spread the news to your neighbours and surroundings. On this festive occasion, I pray that St Lawrence blesses you all with prosperity,”

Minister U T Khader who was the chief guest said, “I got a chance to visit this shrine when chief minister has announced officially that I will be the district-in-charge minister of Dakshina Kannada district. I consider it as a blessing to me. The St Lawrence shrine of Bondel has all possibilities to become a major religious centre in the state. I know the importance of this shrine. People, who visit from various parts of the state, experience miracles in their life. I have heard that St Lawrence accepts every prayer and pours blessings on devotees. I hope that in these nine days, lot of miracles will happen here. I wish you all a happy and blissful feast.”

Kavita Sanil, former mayor, Deepak Poojary, corporator, Fr Clifford Pinto, principal, St Lawrence school, Fr Leo Veigas, resident priest, Fr Andrew D Souza, parish priest, Katipalla, Sumanth , trustee, Mahalingeshwara temple, Henbert Pinto, vice-president, parish pastoral council, Elias Fernandez, proprietor, Four Winds, Rudy Pinto, feast committee convener and Francis Veigas were present.

Stany Alvares publicity committee convenor compered the programme.