The long line of big buses

6 to 10 September 2026

4 pm to 9 pm

Almost on all the evenings the session went beyond 9 pm. It was thoughtful of the organizers to arrange buses to all parts of the city at the end of the day. On the third day I saw many elderly from my part of the town which is almost 12 kilometers away attending the Convention. They told me they came as a group, six of them (elderly women) by a  public transport bus and would return in the bus the Convention has arranged. Yes, it was very important and useful pilgrim service that was thought of and arranged. God bless those sponsored. 

The pleasant Venue

Vallarpadam is, perhaps, the best venue for a Bible Convention in our city, though it has a logistic disadvantage with respect to the bus service especially late in the evening. 

The Basilica has the space and facility for a broad stage and seating a large number of pilgrims in its Rosary Park. 

The gentle sea breeze that seems to blow all the time make the venue pleasant. Direct sunlight can tire one easily though but under a shade it is heaven. 

Prep for the feast 2026

Yes the Vallarpadam feast day is coming near. Come September then everything becomes joyful at the Basilica. Rather than the day it is the whole month that is special at Vallarpadam church. 

The east gate. Noon of the day Vallarpadam Bible Convention started. 

6 to 10 September 2026

onam week

The Onam week went by very fast. Happy and engaging. Pookalam, events, family and sadya. 

The Sunday before Onam at the Basilica was endearing. Wedding of a young couple. The aroma of  fried chicken of the wedding feast from the auditorium and divine sunshine after long days of rain. 

A son's father...

The father of the son. 

Thank you Jorge. 

You made him everyway. 

He stayed as a grateful son everyday. 

We too are grateful. 

Farewell Jorge Messi. Rest in Peace. 

Sunday 9 August 2026

The fragrance of the Rose in the month of Rain. The bouquet was rewarded through a divine smile. Efforts are appreciated, without fail; our God and our King know our hearts. 

Nolasco Chapel

After the gospel reading, last Sunday, I almost sat on a toddler who had crawled four rows up and climbed on my chair. Thank God, I did not sit on the baby, it would had been disaster, physically and emotionally. 

We don't come all the way for the pilgrims mass at Vallarpadam to sit on someone else's baby. 

It was awful to think the family who was on the row behind me, did not warn me. Perhaps they did not see the Baby too as the gospel reading was on.