India: Archdiocese of Bombay Hosts Festival of Families, Drawing Over 2,000 Participants

In a unique and joyful way of honoring the Feast of the Holy Family, the Archdiocese of Bombay, western India, organized a Festival of Families December 28, 2025, at the Our Lady of Velankanni Shrine, a coastal pilgrimage center at Uttan, in the suburbs of Mumbai. The event was organized by the Snehalaya Family Service Centre, a not-for-profit organization dedicated to empowering couples and families, the Commission for Families of the Archdiocese of Bombay, along with parish volunteers.

Held during the octave of Christmas, the festival aimed to bring families together in faith and joy as they marked the Feast of the Holy Family in this Jubilee Year.

A gathering of faith and togetherness

Around 2,000 participants from 42 parishes of the archdiocese took part in the celebration, guided by the theme: “Come, celebrate the Feast of the Holy Family with joy, faith, and togetherness.”

The event highlighted the importance of the family as the domestic Church and the foundation of society, especially amid today’s social and cultural challenges.

Eucharist at the heart of the celebration

The Holy Eucharist, the spiritual center of the festival, was presided over by Archbishop John Rodrigues, with Bishop Dominic Savio Fernandes as co-celebrant, along with 15 priests who accompanied parishioners from various parishes.

In his homily, Archbishop John Rodrigues reflected on the formative role of the family in the life of a child and in Christian faith:

“We rejoice when a child is born in a family. Physical traits are passed on from parents to children, but what is more important are the virtues, values, and faith that parents hand on.

So much of what a child becomes can be traced back to family experience. Today’s feast reminds us that Jesus grew up in a family. He did not come as a ready-made Savior, but as a child. God takes our family experiences seriously.”

Reflecting on the Scripture readings, he emphasized respect, obedience, compassion, kindness, humility, patience, forgiveness, and above all, love, describing these virtues as essential elements of Christian living, not optional add-ons.

Archbishop John Rodrigues, in his reflection, stressed love, unity, forgiveness, and faith as the core values that sustain Christian families, particularly in a rapidly changing and demanding social context.

Celebration beyond the liturgy

The festive atmosphere was enhanced by a live band, food and game stalls, and cultural programs that brought joy, laughter, and relaxation to families. These activities were designed not only for enjoyment but also to strengthen family bonds through shared experiences.

The program also included moments of reflection and interactive sessions that encouraged family bonding and mutual support. Children, youth, parents, and elders actively participated, making the celebration vibrant, inclusive, and truly intergenerational.

A word of gratitude

Addressing the gathering, Fr. Cleophas Fernandes, Secretary of the Commission for Family of the Archdiocese of Bombay, expressed gratitude to the families who made the effort to attend:

“I know it has been a long journey to reach this place, with traffic jams along the way, but you braved it all to be together for this Festival of Families. I sincerely thank you for making this journey, and I pray that your families will be blessed because you came.”

The Festival of Families concluded with a deep sense of gratitude and joy, as families renewed their commitment to live the Gospel values in their homes and communities. The event stood as a powerful reminder of the Church’s call to end the Jubilee Year as one big family of faith, love, and joy.