By Alphonsa Ohol for BIS Mumbai

On July 18, 2026, Sacred Heart Parish, Yerwada, came alive in faith and prayer as it hosted its Annual Night Vigil bringing together approximately 300 faithful from various parishes across Pune. The spiritually enriching gathering provided an opportunity for the faithful to spend the night in the presence of God through the Holy Eucharist, prayer, praise, reflection and fellowship.

The vigil commenced with a warm welcome address by Fr Michael Fernandes the Parish Priest, who greeted the participants and invited them to enter into the spirit of the night with open hearts and renewed faith. The Holy Eucharist that followed was celebrated by the Rector, Fr Crispino D'Souza. In his homily, he reflected on Chapter 13 of the Gospel according to Mathew, focusing on the seven parables of Jesus. Through these parables, the faithful were reminded of the value of the Kingdom of God and the need to recognise and nurture the gift of faith in their lives.

The spiritual journey continued with an inspiring talk by Shirish, who spoke about the importance of surrendering oneself completely to God. He encouraged the participants to declutter their minds, let go of unnecessary worries, and place their complete trust in the Lord. His message served as a meaningful reminder that true peace comes when one learns to surrender one's fears, anxieties, and burdens into God's loving hands.

The atmosphere of prayer and joy deepened during the Praise and Worship session. Through uplifting hymns and heartfelt prayer, the participants were led into a deeper experience of God's presence. This was followed by a powerful Anointing Service led by Jude and the Charis Team. The service offered the faithful an opportunity to seek God's healing, strength, guidance, and blessings.

One of the most prayerful moments of the vigil was the Jericho March. As the participants walked in faith, the intentions of the parish and the petitions placed in the prayer box were prayerfully offered to the Lord. The faithful sought God's grace to remove every obstacle, strengthen their faith, and bring peace and hope into their lives.

The Night Vigil concluded with a time of fellowship over breakfast and tea. The gathering not only strengthened the faith of the participants but also fostered unity and fraternity among the faithful from different parishes.

Sacred Heart Parish sincerely expressed its gratitude to Jude, Silven, Shirish, the Charis Team, the Parish Priest, and all the volunteers whose dedication and service contributed to the success of the spiritually enriching event. The Annual Night Vigil 2026 was truly a blessed night of prayer, surrender, faith, and fellowship.