The Closing Ceremony of the Annual Feast of St Lawrence Church & Shrine, Bondel, was marked by profound devotion and solemn grandeur on Sunday, August 10, 2025. The Eucharistic celebration commenced at 6:00 p.m., with Emeritus Bishop Most Rev. Dr. Aloysius Paul D’Souza of the Mangalore Diocese as the main celebrant, leading the faithful in a grace-filled liturgy. He was joined at the altar by concelebrants Rev. Fr. Andrew Leo D’Souza, Parish Priest; Rev. Fr Lawrence Cutinha, Assistant Parish Priest; Rev. Fr Peter Gonsalves, Principal of St Lawrence English Medium School; together with several priests from neighbouring Parishes and the Varado, uniting in thanksgiving and praise.

In his homily, Bishop Aloysius Paul D’Souza urged the faithful to draw inspiration from St Lawrence, who courageously sacrificed his life out of love for Jesus and in service to humanity. Emphasizing the inseparable virtues of faith and hope, he reflected that, like Abraham — the father of faith — we too can learn from St Lawrence’s unwavering trust in the Word of God. Just as the people of Israel journeyed towards the promised land sustained by their faith, so also St Lawrence remained steadfast, rooted in faith and filled with hope. Drawing on the Gospel image of wheat falling to the soil, the Bishop reminded the faithful that, like St Lawrence, we are called to die to self so that the love of Christ may bear abundant fruit in our lives..

The children’s choir from Bondel Parish brought a vibrant and prayerful touch to the celebration, lifting the minds and hearts of the faithful heavenward through their melodious singing. Rev. Fr Andrew Leo D’Souza, Parish Priest of St Lawrence Shrine, offered heartfelt gratitude to Emeritus Bishop Aloysius Paul D’Souza and to all the priests who concelebrated and participated in the Mass. He also expressed deep appreciation to all who, with selfless dedication, rendered their services during the novena, helping to make the feast a true offering of faith, hope, and love.

A significant and symbolic moment in the ceremony was the lowering of the feast flag, which had been hoisted on August 1st to mark the beginning of the novena. This solemn act, signifying the close of the feast, was carried out by Emeritus Bishop Aloysius Paul D’Souza, Rev. Fr Andrew Leo D’Souza -Parish Priest, Rev. Fr Peter Gonsalves, Rev. Fr. Lawrence Cutinha, , Rev. Fr J.B. Saldanha PRO of the Mangalore Diocese, Rev. Fr J.B. Crasta, together with several other priests from the city and neighbouring Parishes.

A special moment followed when the newly brought statue of St Lawrence, carried in grand band procession, was reverently placed near the newly prepared stall for devotees to light candles in prayer. Bishop Emeritus Aloysius Paul D’Souza, accompanied by the Parish clergy, lit the first candle, invoking God’s blessings through the intercession of St Lawrence. The donors of the place, Mr and Mrs Rocky & Jacintha D’Souza, also lit candles, marking this blessed beginning for the new devotional space.

The event was graced by the presence of Mr Ronald ‘Roy’ Castelino, PRO of the Mangalore Diocese; Mr John D’Silva, Vice President of the Parish Pastoral Council; Mr Santhosh Misquith, Secretary of the PPC; Mr Prakash Pinto, Convener of the Shrine Committee; Mrs Meena Barboza, Convener of the Media Committee; along with the faithful parishioners and devoted pilgrims.

The presence of these dignitaries, clergy, and the faithful enriched the spiritual depth and solemnity of the occasion, bringing the novena and feast to a prayerful and grace-filled conclusion, leaving hearts renewed in faith, strengthened in hope, and inspired by the life and witness of St Lawrence.

Report: Meena Serrao Barboza

Photography : Stanly Bantwal