Mangalore: Scores of Devotees Gather to Celebrate Feast of St Lawrence
Stanley Bantwal
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangalore
Mangalore, Aug 10: The feast of St Lawrence was celebrated on Friday August 10 at the Church of St Lawrence, Bondel here.
Bishop of Mangalore Dr Aloysius Paul D’Souza was welcomed by the people with joy. The benefactors of the feast were honoured by presenting a candle by Fr Andrew D’Souza, parish priest of Bondel.
The bishop was the main celebrant of the solemn feast mass. He stressed on the unity in the Body of Christ and urged the faithful to follow the path of St Lawrence by working for the common good of the Church.
The first-ever audio CD in the diocese of Mangalore dedicated to St Lawrence was released on the occasion by the bishop. The songs in the CD have been composed by Fr Valerian Mendonca and Fr Clement Mascarenhas. The music has been directed by popular Sandalwood music director Praveen Duth Stephen. Fr Valerian Mendonca was felicitated for his service in realizing the dream of bringing out the audio CD.
The highlight of the feast was a special nine-day novena to St Lawrence beginning from August 1. Special prayers were offered for various intentions during the novena. People gathered in large numbers and priests prayed for the gathered devotees.
An atmosphere of festivity prevailed in the parish. FrVincent lobo, Fr Ronald Pinto, Fr Pradeep, Fr Robert crasta, Fr Antony Serrao, Fr Leo Lobo, Fr Naveen Pinto, Fr Boniface, Fr James, Fr Peter Norohna, Fr Anil Dsouza, Fr Ronal D'Souza, Fr George, Fr Edwin Correa, Fr Lawrence, Fr Biju, Fr Eugine, Fr Henry Fernandes, Fr Jayaprakash D’Souza, Fr Patrick Sequeira, assistant parish priest of Bondel were also present.
Fr Andrew D’Souza thanked all the people who worked for the success of the event.