February 11, 2025, the Feast of Our Lady of Lourdes marked the centenary celebrations of the Statue of Our Lady that has been faithfully venerated by the Village of Kolbad.
Mass was held in the square in front of the grotto and chapel of St Sebastian. Kolbad is one of the villages in Thane with a sizeable Catholic population. The Village Cross stands in the middle of a busy road.
In the embedded videos the celebrant explains the essence of the feast while in the other Melanie explains the history leading up to the centenary.
We were privileged to be invited to this feast and to deliver an open invitation to the Grand Sesquicentennial Jubilee Mass of the Matharpacady Holy Cross Oratory on 1st May 2025.
Among the other speakers was a Jain doctor with fervent devotion to Our Lady and to the crucified Saviour and the renowned investment banker and catechist Royston Braganza who drew the sharp contrast between the Eve of the Old Testament and the new Eve, Mother Mary.
Hyacinth, one of the key members of the Village assured us that they would try and get together 10 to 15 of their residents to grace the occasion. We leave this in the Lord’s hands. We were happy to find many people with Mazagon and Matharpacady connections, old friends and relatives.
We now reproduce below a message from Mrs. Melanie D’Sa from Kolbad, Thane –
Celebrating the Centenary of Our Lady of Lourdes Statue in Kolbad
This year marked a momentous occasion as we celebrated the centenary of the revered statue of Our Lady of Lourdes. This sacred statue was originally brought from Rome by the late Mr. Elias J. Pereira in the Jubilee Year of 1925 and installed in a grotto in Kolbad village. For over 80 years, it remained a place of prayer and devotion until its relocation in 2008 to the residence of his son, Mr. Neville Pereira. In commemoration of its 100-year journey, the statue was returned to its original place in Kolbad, where it had spent the greater part of its history.
To honor this historic milestone, a nine-day novena was conducted in Kolbad, drawing nearly 100 devotees each day. Each evening was dedicated to specific prayer intentions, followed by the Rosary, novena prayers, and a hymn to Our Lady. The atmosphere was one of deep faith and devotion, as attendees experienced spiritual renewal through the intercession of Our Lady. As a token of gratitude and community fellowship, snacks were served daily to all participants.
The celebration culminated on the feast day with a special Mass for the healing of the sick, presided over by Fr. Jerome, the parish priest. The Mass was attended by nearly 300 faithful from different parts of Thane and Mumbai. The first reading was delivered by an individual who firmly believes they were granted a second chance at life through the grace of Our Lady during a period of chronic illness. The Offertory procession was led by two individuals celebrating their birthdays during the novena, adding a personal touch to the sacred occasion. The service ended with Fr Jerome personally anointing everyone present with holy oil. For those that could not come to him, he reached out to every location to ensure all were anointed, truly a remarkable close to the event.
Throughout the novena, numerous prayer requests were granted, and many attendees shared their experiences of divine intervention, often with deep emotion and gratitude. It was truly awe-inspiring to hear the testimonies of those whose lives had been touched and transformed by the blessings of Our Blessed Mother. As a gesture of thanksgiving, snacks were offered in Our Lady’s honor.
The final day of the feast was a profound and emotional moment, as the community gathered in reverence and joy, enveloped in an atmosphere of grace and gratitude. The centenary celebration was not just an event but a reaffirmation of faith and devotion in Kolbad.
We are truly blessed to have hosted this significant celebration in our community. May Our Lady of Lourdes continue to shower her graces and blessings upon us all.
Our Lady of Lourdes, Pray for Us!
