July 24,2026 at Church Mini Hall Bondel at 4.00 p. m.

St Lawrence Church & Shrine, Bondel to Celebrate Annual Feast on 10th August 2026

Feast Theme: “Love one another as I have loved you.” (John 15:12) Message of the Feast: “Like St Lawrence, let us love and serve the poor.”

With hearts full of gratitude, the faithful of St Lawrence Church & Shrine, Bondel, are joyfully preparing to celebrate the Annual Feast of our beloved patron, St Lawrence, on Monday, 10th August 2026.

As part of the preparations for the Annual Feast, the Swachhta Abhiyan (Cleanliness Campaign) will be jointly organised on Saturday, 25th July 2026, by the Environment Commission, Labour Commission, and Social Development Commission of St Lawrence Church & Shrine, Bondel. The campaign will be inaugurated by Dr. G. Santosh Kumar, K.A.S., Project Director, District Urban Development Cell, Mangaluru, highlighting the parish’s commitment to environmental stewardship, cleanliness, and community participation.

The traditional Hore Kanike (Offering Procession) will be held on Sunday, 26th July 2026, at 4:30 p.m., commencing from the Mount Carmel School Grounds. The procession will be ceremoniously flagged off by shri PV MOHAN Member of legislative Council Govt of Karnataka.. A large number of devotees are expected to participate in the procession, offering their gifts as a gesture of faith and thanksgiving in preparation for the Annual Feast.

A unique initiative of this year’s feast is the Medical Aid Fund. Inspired by the feast message, devotees are invited to contribute generously towards providing medical assistance to the poor and the needy, continuing the charitable legacy of St Lawrence.

As a spiritual preparation for the Annual Feast, the Nine-Day Novena will be observed from 1st to 9th August 2026. Each day, Morning Adoration will be held from 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., followed by the Holy Eucharist, Novena Prayers, and Blessing with the Relic of St Lawrence. Lunch will be served to all devotees attending the novena services. Evening Adoration will begin at 5:30 p.m., followed by the Solemn Holy Mass, Novena Prayers, and Blessing with the Relic of St Lawrence. Blessed bread will be distributed to all devotees after the evening Mass. Each day’s Holy Eucharist will be offered for a special intention, praying for the spiritual, family, and social needs of the faithful..

The Novena will be inaugurated with the ceremonial unfurling of the St Lawrence Flag on Saturday, 1st August at 10:00 a.m., by V. Rev. Fr Richard Aloysius Coelho, Vicar Forane of City Varado and Parish Priest of Paldane, who will also be the principal celebrant of the inaugural Holy Eucharist.

Special celebrations during the Novena include Praise and Worship led by Bro Prakash on Saturday, 8th August, from 3:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m., followed by special healing prayers for the sick from 6:45 p.m. to 10:00 p.m., with a special prayer session for children.

For the first time at the Shrine, a Malayalam Holy Mass will be celebrated on Sunday 9th August at 12:00 noon..

The principal celebrants during the Novena and Feast are: 8th August (5:30 p.m.) Archbishop Emeritus Most Rev. Dr. Bernard Moras:, 9th August (10:30 a.m.): Most Rev. Dr Aloysius Paul D’Souza, Bishop Emeritus, 9th August (5:30 p.m.): Most Rev. Dr Ignatius Paul D’Souza, Bishop of Bareilly ,10th August (10:30 a.m. – Solemn Festal Mass): Most Rev.Dr Peter Paul Saldanha, Bishop of Mangalore, 10th August (5:30 p.m. – Concluding Festal Mass): Most Rev. Dr Francis Serrao, Bishop of Mysore.

Throughout these sacred days, pilgrims from across the region will gather at the Shrine seeking spiritual renewal through the intercession of St Lawrence. Priests will be available throughout the Novena for the Sacrament of Reconciliation and spiritual counselling, offering the faithful an opportunity to deepen their relationship with God.

Several facilities will be available for the convenience of pilgrims, including basic health guidance and ambulance services by Fr Muller’s Medical Team, Voter ID Help Desk, Amcho Sandesh- a Konkani monthly bulletin stall by Catholic Sabha – Bondel Unit, SVP – Society of St. Vincent de Paul, Daivik Amrich Pilgrimages -Pilgrimage guidance, religious articles, and refreshment stalls managed by the Ladies Association, ICYM, and YCS.

Devotees are also invited to offer their Mass intentions, make goodwill contributions in cash or kind, and share their testimonies of favours and blessings received through the intercession of St Lawrence, inspiring others in faith and hope.

All the liturgical celebrations are being organised under the guidance of Rev. Fr Basil Vas, Parish Priest and Shrine Rector, and Mr Jason Fernandes, Convener of the St Lawrence Shrine Committee.

Every Tuesday, Adoration is held from 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., followed by the Holy Eucharistic Mass, Novena, Blessing with the Relic, and a fellowship lunch. Lunch will be served to all devotees

The Parish warmly invites all devotees and people of goodwill to participate in the Annual Feast celebrations and experience God’s love through the intercession of St Lawrence. . May St Lawrence, the miracle worker, intercede for us all. Inspired by his life, let us love and serve the poor and become instruments of God’s compassion, peace, and hope.

The press meet, organized by St Lawrence Church & Shrine, Bondel, was attended by the following dignitaries:

Rev.Fr Basil Vas – Parish Priest / Rector

Rev.Fr Peter Gonsalves – Principal, St. Lawrence English Medium School

Rev.Fr Lawrence Cutinha – Asst. Priest

Mr John D’Silva – Vice President

Mr Jason Fernades- Shrine Convenor

Mr Elias Fernandes – Media Coordinator.

Mrs Meena Barboza Media convenor