Mangaluru: The Bondel St. Lawrence Shrine Annual feast will be celebrated on August 10. The Novena in preparation for the feast will be held from July 31.

Addressing a press meet on July 26, Parish Priest Fr. Andrew Leo D’ Souza said, “During the nine-day devotional festival, the retiring Bishop Aloysius Paul D’Souza and newly appointed Bishop Peter Paul Saldanha of Mangalore Diocese will officiate afternoon and evening masses.”

“Thousands of devotees are expected to congregate at the Bondel St. Lawerence Shrine for the feast,” he added.

Fr. Andrew said, “The festive Mass on August 10 will start at 10:30 AM with Bishop Rev. Dr. Aloysius Paul D’Souza as the main celebrant. This will be followed by a grand festive lunch. The evening mass will be led by Bishop-designate Rev. Dr. Peter Paul Saldana at 6 PM.

“On July 31, a Horakanike procession will start from Carmel Central School at 5 PM and proceed to Bondel St. Lawrence Shrine. The inauguration of nine days novena and flag hoisting ceremony will be held on August 1 at 10.30 AM at Bondel Church. The Novena Mass will be held at 11 AM and at 6 PM for daily starting from August 1.”

Chief of publicity committee Stany Alvares, Assistant parish priests Fr. Clifford Pinto and Fr. Leo Veigas, Vice President of Parish Pastoral Parishad Henbert Pinto, Convener of Feast Committee Rudy Pinto, Secretary of Parish Pastoral Parishad Francis Veigas, Lancy DCunha, Elias Fernandes of Fourwinds Mass Communication among others were present.