Mangalore Diocese News

Report: Meena Serrao Barboza

Mangaluru, July 29 : With hearts full of gratitude, the faithful of St. Lawrence Church & Shrine, Bondel, joyfully prepare to celebrate the Annual Feast of their beloved patron, St. Lawrence, on 10th August 2025 with the Theme: "Pilgrims of Hope".

This year's feast is especially meaningful, as the church was officially declared a Shrine on November 18th, 2024—a historic and grace-filled milestone for the parish. As they celebrate for the first time as a Shrine, they invite all devotees to join them in prayer, devotion, and thanksgiving.

As a spiritual preparation for this sacred celebration, a Nine-Day Novena will commence on Friday, 1st August 2025. From 1st to 9th August, let us unite in prayer and devotion: Morning Adoration: 10:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m., followed by Holy Mass, Novena, and the Blessing of the Relic of St Lawrence. Evening Adoration: 5:30 p.m. to 6:00 p.m., followed by the Solemn Evening Mass, Novena, and Relic Blessing of St Lawrence.

Each day, the Holy Eucharist will be offered for a special intention, as they intercede for the personal, family, and communal needs of all devotees. To mark the commencement of the Nine-Day Novena in preparation for the Annual Feast of St Lawrence, a ceremonial unfurling of the St Lawrence flag will take place on Friday, 1st August 2025 at 10:00 a.m. at the church premises.

They are honored to have MLC Ivan D'Souza hoist the flag, symbolizing the start of this sacred journey of prayer and reflection. The Holy Eucharist to mark this spiritually significant occasion will be celebrated by Rev. Dr Rajesh Melvin Rosario, Rector of St Joseph's Inter diocesan Seminary, Jeppu.

On the joyous occasion of the Annual Feast of St Lawrence on August 10, they are profoundly blessed to welcome:
Most Rev. Dr Peter Paul Saldanha, Bishop of Mangalore Diocese who will preside over the Solemn Festal Mass at 10:30 a.m. In the evening, the Concluding Festal Mass will be solemnly celebrated at 5:30 p.m. by Most Rev. Dr Aloysius Paul D'Souza, Bishop Emeritus of the Diocese of Mangalore.

They are delighted to announce that on the 1st of August, immediately after the flag hoisting ceremony, the Religious Articles Store will be officially inaugurated. This initiative is introduced to enrich the spiritual experience of the devotees by offering sacred items, candles for lighting at the shrine of St Lawrence, and more. They invite all devotees to visit, pray, and be spiritually uplifted.

From 1st to 9th August 2025, meals will be served at noon for all devotees participating in the novena services. During these sacred days, faithful pilgrims from across the city gather at the Shrine to offer prayers, seeking the grace of a deeper faith and spiritual renewal through the powerful intercession of St Lawrence.

During the novena, priests will be available for the Sacrament of Reconciliation and spiritual counselling. They encourage all the faithful to make use of this grace-filled opportunity to renew their hearts and draw closer to God.

All novena services and liturgical celebrations will be held under the guidance of Rev. Fr Andrew Leo D'Souza, Parish Priest, and Mr Prakash Pinto, Convener – St Lawrence Shrine Committee. They cordially invite all devotees to join them in celebrating the Annual Feast of the patron, St Lawrence, on:
Sunday, 10th August 2025 , Festal Mass at 10:30 a.m. , Concluding Mass at 5:30 p.m.

Devotees' goodwill offerings and Mass intentions will be gratefully accepted. Blessed articles and religious items will be available at the shrine stalls for your spiritual enrichment.

"Like St Lawrence, may we live in faith and serve others with love, journeying together as pilgrims of hope. May St Lawrence, the miracle worker, intercede for us and bless us with abundant grace and peace".