In preparation for the grand Annual Feast of St Lawrence Church & Shrine, Bondel, the traditional and sacred Votive Offering Procession (ವೊಜ್ಯಾಂಚೊ ಪುರ್ಶ್ಯಾಂವ್) was solemnly held on Sunday, 26 July 2026, at Mount Carmel Central School, Mary Hill. The ceremony commenced at 4:30 p.m. with a devotional hymn presented by the students of YCS, invoking God’s blessings upon the gathering. The opening prayer was led by Rev. Fr Peter Gonsalves.

Mr. John D’Silva, Vice President of the Parish Pastoral Council, extended a warm and heartfelt welcome to the dignitaries and the faithful. As a mark of respect and appreciation, the dignitaries on the dais were honoured with shawls by Rev. Fr Basil Vas, Parish Priest and Rector of St Lawrence Church & Shrine.

Mr Alwyn Saldanha, Secretary of the Parish Pastoral Council, introduced the Chief Guest. He was felicitated by the Parish Priest and the dignitaries on the dais in recognition of his dedicated public service. He was honoured with a shawl, bouquet, memento, and fruit basket as tokens of appreciation.

Delivering the keynote address, Shri P. V. Mohan, Member of the Legislative Council, Government of Karnataka, highlighted St Lawrence Shrine as a place where people from all religions, communities, and walks of life come together in faith and devotion. He said that the Shrine stands as a beacon of communal harmony, welcoming everyone without any discrimination. Recalling his long association with the parish and its priests, he expressed his gratitude for being invited to the Offertory Procession. Referring to St Lawrence as the patron of the poor, he noted that the saint’s life continues to inspire people to serve the needy with compassion and generosity. He remarked that caring for the poor is, in fact, serving God, and appreciated the Shrine’s continued commitment to this noble mission.

Concluding his address, Shri Mohan thanked the parish for the honour and wished the Annual Feast every success, praying that St. Lawrence would continue to bless all the faithful.

Dignitaries Present: Rev. Fr. Basil Vas – Parish Priest; Shri P. V. Mohan, Member of the Legislative Council, Government of Karnataka Rev. Fr. Lawrence Cutinha – Assistant Parish Priest; Rev. Fr Peter Gonsalves – Principal, St. Lawrence English Medium School; Rev Fr Andrew Leo D’Souza Parish priest Permannnur , Denis D’Silva -the president of the Dakshina Kannada (DK) District Congress Campaign Committee Sr. Melissa D’Souza – Principal, Mount Carmel Central School; Sr Reshma D’Souza; Superior Vijaymari Convent Mr John D’Silva – Vice President, Parish Pastoral Council; Mr Alwyn Saldanha – Secretary, Parish Pastoral Council; Mrs Avitha Mascarenhas Coordinator All Commisisons Mr Jason Fernandes – Convener, Shrine Committee; and Hore Kanike In-charge.

Rev. Fr. Basil Vas, Parish Priest and Shrine Rector in his address thanked the faithful for their generous offerings, describing them as a beautiful expression of their faith, gratitude, and love for God. He prayed that the Lord would bless every family with peace, good health, and abundant grace, and thanked God for the gift of timely rain. He also warmly invited everyone to participate in the nine-day Novena from 1st to 9th August 2026 and the Annual Feast of St Lawrence on 10th August 2026, encouraging all to join in prayer and seek God’s blessings through the intercession of St Lawrence.

Rev. Fr Basil blessed all the offerings brought by the devotees by sprinkling them with holy water. The Hore Kanike procession was ceremoniously flagged off by the chief Guest Shri P.V Mohan along with dignatories from the Mount Carmel School grounds. Amid the melodies of devotional hymns and the vibrant beats of the traditional band, the procession gracefully made its way to St. Lawrence Church, Bondel.

The programme at Mount Carmel Central School was gracefully compered by Mr Ronald Nazreth, President of the Adult Choir. Rev. Fr Lawrence Cutinha explained the guidelines and directed the participants for the Votive Offering Procession.

Mr Jason Fernandes proposed the vote of thanks, expressing heartfelt gratitude to everyone who contributed to the success of the event.

The procession featured offertory items contributed by nearby parishes, local communities, and members of other faiths, all brought with devotion and reverence. These offerings will be used to prepare the noon meals served during the nine days of the Novena, symbolising the generosity, faith, and spirit of sharing among the faithful.

Upon reaching the church premises, the offerings were reverently received and offloaded . As a gesture of gratitude, Rev. Fr Basil Vas personally felicitated all the contributors—especially representatives from neighbouring parishes and members of other faiths—with shawls in appreciation of their generous support and goodwill. He also thanked the Catholic Sabha, volunteers, and parishioners for their dedicated efforts in ensuring the smooth, prayerful, and well-organised conduct of the Hore Kanike procession.

The entire procession was carried out with exemplary discipline and coordination, thanks to the dedicated efforts of the Catholic Sabha and the committed team of volunteers, who ensured that the event was conducted with dignity, devotion, and order.

The faithful are warmly invited to participate in the nine-day Novena in preparation for the Solemn Feast of St Lawrence, from 1–9 August, as a time of prayer, reflection, and spiritual renewal.

Daily Schedule: Morning Adoration: 10:30 a.m. Holy Mass: 11:30 a.m. Evening Adoration: 5:30 p.m. Holy Mass: 6:30 p.m. Lunch will be served daily after the morning Mass. Blessed bread will be distributed after the evening Mass. Feast Day – 10 August Solemn Festal Mass – 10:30 a.m. Presided over by Most Rev. Dr Peter Paul Saldanha, Bishop of Mangalore, Concluding Mass – 5:30 p.m.

Celebrated by Most Rev. Dr Francis Serrao, Bishop of Mysore

The Church and its surroundings have been beautifully decorated by the Feast Committee, reflecting the joy and reverence of this sacred celebration. The Hore Kanike procession served as a fitting spiritual prelude to the Annual Feast, uniting the faithful in prayer, thanksgiving, and Christian fellowship.

All parishioners, devotees, and well-wishers are cordially invited to participate in the Novena and Feast celebrations. May St. Lawrence, the miracle worker, intercede for all of us, inspiring us to love and serve the poor as he did, and to become instruments of God’s compassion, peace, and hope.

Report: Meena Serrao Barboza

Photography Stanley Bantwal