September 24, 2026

Nuestra Señora de la Merced

Lady of Ransom (Mercy)

Happy Feast Day

Thanks Giving Mementos

Thanks giving mementos. 

Weddings, new house..

We pray, please hear the prayers of those who call upon You sincerely. 

September Altar

Lights and flowers. 

The Sunday Rain

After Onam, 32 days later, the rain returned after taking a monsoon break. 

I was lucky my scooter reached within the range of the church before the rain became heavy and I had to stop the ride. 

Views from where I stopped on the Sunday morning rain. 

September, the month of the feast

There are a few things at Church which adds special meaning in the month of September. 

There are a few other things which we can see only in the month of September at the church. 

The feast month of September

Remains of the Mercedarians

It was heart warming to note the present administration of the church remembered the Mercedarians who built this Lady of Ransom Church in the 16th century. 

The Insignia of the congregation. Those who knows the FC Barcelona flag will understand the connection between the Mercedarians and Barcelona. 

The feast month

The new oil lamp at the church. A dedication by a devotee..

Feast Month

Only in the month of September, The Lady of Ransom is at the portico of the church. 

Porrota Master

The three days I went for the five day retreat, I crossed the most crowded south over bridge before 4 pm to avoid traffic. That meant I was early and had to eat something to last till 9 pm. 

The little restaurant at the east gate turned out to be a discovery of the best porotta in the Vallarpadam Island. They were making it when I walked in on the first evening and the aroma of the warm porotta straight from the chef's tawa was irresistible. It tasted as delicious as the aroma suggested. The Bengali young man who made it has learned indeed from a very good Porotta Master. 

Oh! God, you bless people with talents and how well they stay true to that talents are a prayer in itself. Help us Lord to stay true to our blessings till the end. For in it is the ultimate victory despite the struggles. 

The Holy Ghost Dedication

Vallarpadam Church is dedicated to the holy Ghost. To listen to  the word of God being interpreted so passionately sitting inside the old church was an incredible experience. On the last day after the sunset they closed the church to ensure everybody attend the final blessing ceremony. 

The evening Crowd

On the days of convention there were only few people at the start at 4 pm, as the evening progressed, when the folks returned after work, then the venue started filling up slowly and was brimming at the end. 

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