Bangladesh Church joyfully celebrates parish feast of Saint John the Baptist

The feast day of Saint John the Baptist, the patron and forerunner of Tumilia Parish under the Archdiocese of Dhaka, was celebrated with enormous spiritual fervor on June 20.

Following nine days of spiritual preparation, the faithful observed the feast day through novena prayers, the Sacrament of Reconciliation, and vegetarian meals, all aimed at deepening their spiritual readiness.

This year’s feast was marked by the presence of Auxiliary Bishop Subroto Boniface Gomes, who presided over the solemn Eucharistic celebration.

Celebrating with him were the parish priest, around 10 priests from neighboring parishes, two deacons, religious brothers and nuns, seminarians, and more than 2,000 lay faithful, making the occasion one of the largest religious gatherings in the region.

Two Masses were offered on the feast day. The main celebration began with a devout procession and a moving tribute to Saint John the Baptist, during which nine lit candles—symbolizing his virtues—were placed at the foot of his statue.

Bishop Gomes also laid a floral wreath, expressing the community’s veneration for the saint who paved the way for Christ.

In his homily, the prelate emphasized Saint John’s humility and courage in proclaiming truth.

“Saint John the Baptist gave up worldly comforts and chose the desert to prepare the way for Jesus,” he said. “In contrast, today’s world often encourages us to glorify ourselves rather than live in humility. We are called to reject sin and embrace justice, just as John did.”

He continued, “Saint John was martyred for standing by the truth. As we celebrate this Jubilee Year, let us reflect on his life and strive to live with holiness, courage, and a commitment to truth.”

Following the Eucharist, Father Kunjon Quiah offered heartfelt thanks to the organizing committee, the visiting clergy and religious, and the entire parish community for their prayerful and generous participation.

Tumilia Parish, recognized as the second-largest parish in the Archdiocese of Dhaka, has a long tradition of vibrant faith and active community life. This year’s celebration reflected that legacy, with joyful liturgy, spiritual reflection, and community sharing.

The feast day concluded with the distribution of prayer cards, biscuits, and a final blessing, leaving the faithful renewed in spirit and inspired by the example of their patron, Saint John the Baptist.