Grotto Fest at DON BOSCO ITI, KGF

The community of Don Bosco ITI KGF celebrated the feast of the Grotto of Our Blessed Mother on 4th August 2024. The Sunday following the 24th of every month, in fact, people of the neighbourhood, particularly Irudayapuram, gather to pray the holy rosary and receive the Blessing of Mary Help of Christians. The Grotto Fest is celebrated to commemorate the inauguration of the grotto on 24th July 2012 and this year was the 12th anniversary.

The celebrations began with the Holy Eucharist at 6.30 pm in the auditorium with the participation of around 200 people. Fr Jerome, the parish priest of St Theresa’s Church, Robertsonpet, presided over the Eucharistic celebration along with the Salesian priests of the community, and gave an enlightening homily on the origin and significance of the grotto.

The highlight of the celebration was the rosary procession with a splendidly decorated chariot bearing the statue of Our Blessed Mother. All the people devotedly took part in the candle light procession to the accompaniment of the brass band. As the Bosco Youth hauled the chariot through the streets of Irudayapuram, it halted many a time in front of houses to allow devotees to venerate Mother Mary with flowers, candles and incense. A great sense of religious harmony was felt as people belonging to various religions payed homage to our Blessed Mother with profound faith.

All those who participated in the festivities were served snacks and a delicious meal. The entire event concluded around 9.30 pm. The youth of Irudayapuram deem it their privilege to organize and sponsor the celebration of the Grotto Fest every year. Our thanks to Fr Dominic Savio Fernandes who coordinated the entire event.