The oldest church in eastern India observed the biggest Christmas celebrations in 20 years with the setting up of The Stations of The Cross that  depicts Christ's crucifixion. Also on display is the historic `Mast' from which the Church and the town gets it name and a newly-renovated grand “doorway” that leads to the Church's hallowed precincts where millions from India and abroad come to pray each year.

Thousands of visitors of all religious thronged the Church on Christmas Day. Almost the same number of people will visit Bandel Church on New Year’s day. “Rivers of people just keep flowing into the Church just to have a darshan (look) of the baby Jesus kept in the creatively made crib set which would be on display,” says Prior of Bandel Church, Fr T L Francis.

Bandel Church's facelift comes 15 years after the major renovation activities planned for the 400th Anniversary of Bandel Church in 1999 had to be stalled due to litigation over Church ownership. The Church, declared a mini Basilica by Pope John Paul II, is dedicated to Nossa Senhora do Rosario - Our Lady of the Rosary.

Archbishop Thomas D’Souza of Calcutta recently assigned Bandel Basilica Church as one of the designated churches to obtain blessings and graces connected with the Year of Mercy as declared by Pope Francis when he symbolically opened the “Holy Door” of St Peter’s Basilica in Rome to the pilgrims on 8th December 2015.

“Celebrations this year are special for several reasons. We are blessed with the settlement of the dispute over the ownership of the church ground in front of the Church which was under litigation since April 1996. Three major church renovations have been implemented this year. First, the restoration and display of the historical Mast which had fallen in a norwester in 2010. The Portuguese ship’s mast was a votive offering to the Church from the captain of the ship that was miraculously saved in a tempest in the Bay of Bengal.

After almost four years one of the tourist attractions in Bandel - The Mast - will once again be on display in a glass case surrounded by the Station of Cross,” says Father T L Francis. The Portuguese word for mast is bandel from which the Church and the town gets its name.

"The installation of 14 Stations of the Cross in the field in front of the shrine with 54 life size statues depicting scenes of Jesus carrying his cross to Calvary to be crucified is bound to evoke piety and prayer among the visitors. In addition, the main door at the riverside entrance of the basilica has been embellished with relief motives depicting religious themes. Plans for landscaping the Church field to create an atmosphere of prayer and devotion will soon be implemented,” says Father (Fr) T L Francis.

"It is a matter of great prestige for Church Art to be a part of this great renovation work in Bandel Church. The Stations of The Cross in Bandel is inspired by the Way of the Cross at Lourdes (France) and will add to the spiritual ambiance of the historic Church. The work of the sculptures, detailing body features have been given a bronze finish.

A newly erected grand door with religious motifs would be another attraction to marvel at. The symbolism of opening the Holy Door is linked to the words of Jesus “I am the door” (John10:7), and bringing to fruition the words of the Psalmist, who said, `This is the door of the Lord where the just may enter'” (Psalm 118:20)," says Subrata Ganguly of Church Art - a company specialising in designing art work for churches.

An Archaeological Survey Team had visited and declared the Mast a heritage item and directed the PWD department to re-erect it at the spot where it stood. The Church had wrapped up the Mast and kept under care and protection. After a gap of almost four years the Mast will once again be displayed in a glass case surrounded by the Station of Cross. All these years the Church had received many inquiries about The Mast.

Bandel Church is not only a pilgrim and tourist destination, but also a power house of intercessory prayers for various needs of people who come to seek Mother Mary’s blessings. Besides, the prior of Bandel, a dedicated team of Fathers and Religious Sisters devote quality time both in the Church and at the balcony for intercessory prayers.