Labuan Bajo, July 10, 2025 — As part of the Golo Koe Festival 2025, The Inter-Parish Procession of Maria Assumpta Nusantara in the Diocese of Labuan Bajo took place from July 9 through August 4, 2024.
The procession began yesterday at St. Martinus Parish in Bari, on Wednesday, July 9, 2025. The entire parish community gathered to welcome Our Lady of Maria Assumpta Nusantara at the old chapel located on the beach in the village of Bari. A number of Muslim representatives also took part in the event, reflecting the life of the Catholic community in this northern coastal region of Flores Island, which lives alongside a Muslim community.
Following the traditional and liturgical reception, the statue of Maria Assumpta Nusantara was carried in a procession to St. Martinus Parish Church in Bari, where the Eucharistic celebration presided over by Bishop Maksimus Regus of Labuan Bajo took place. The statue of Mary remained enshrined at the parish church until the following day, Thursday, July 10, 2025, before being carried in a procession to St. Mark’s Parish in Pateng. During that time, parishioners prayed individually and in groups before the statue of Our Lady.
Processions in 26 Parishes
The reception of Maria Assumpta Nusantara at Bari Parish marked the starting point of an inter-parish procession throughout the Diocese of Labuan Bajo as part of the Golo Koe Festival 2025. The official opening of the procession series was marked by the striking of a gong by Bishop Maksimus Regus of Labuan Bajo at the conclusion of the Eucharistic celebration at Bari Parish Church on Wednesday, July 9, 2025, in the afternoon.
RD Yuvens Rugi, Chair of the Procession Section of the Golo Koe Festival 2025 Committee, stated that this marks one of the achievements of the Golo Koe Festival in its fourth year.
“Last year, the inter-parish procession took place in only eight parishes. This time, the statue of Maria Assumpta Nusantara will visit all 26 parishes in the Diocese of Labuan Bajo,” said Father Yuvens Rugi in Labuan Bajo on Thursday, July 10, 2025.
This inter-parish procession, continued RD Yuvens Rugi, is scheduled to conclude on Monday, August 4, 2025, at the Holy Spirit Cathedral Parish in Labuan Bajo. In addition to fostering devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary, he hopes the inter-parish procession will serve as an opportunity to publicize the Golo Koe Festival’s events to the entire congregation.
“We hope everything goes smoothly as planned, and we invite the faithful to participate in the series of events for the Golo Koe Festival 2025,” concluded Father Yuvens.
Synodal Spirit, Unity, and Solidarity
Vicar General (Vikjen) of the Diocese of Labuan Bajo, RD Richard Manggu, commended the Maria Assumpta Nusantara procession held at St. Martinus Parish in Bari, which involved the entire congregation, community leaders, government officials, and members of various faiths. Father Richard noted that not only in Bari, but throughout the Golo Koe Festival, the events were designed to engage various segments of society.
“The organizing committee for this festival at the Diocese and West Manggarai Regency levels involves many parties, ranging from the Church as the initiator, the government, the Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI) and National Police (Polri), the Labuan Bajo Harbor Master’s Office, universities, to the Ministry of Tourism,” said Father Richard in his remarks following the celebration of the Eucharist at St. Martinus Pateng Parish on Wednesday, July 10, 2025.
The Golo Koe Festival, he continued, embodies the spirit being fostered in the pastoral work of the Diocese of Labuan Bajo: synodal, united, and supportive.
“We are not alone in this life. We will be stronger if we walk together and support one another,” said Father Richard.
Bishop Maksimus Regus of Labuan Bajo emphasized the same point in his homily during the Eucharistic celebration at St. Martinus Church in Bari. In the Manggarai language, he explained what it means to be synodal, united, and self-reliant—a spirit that every individual, family, and community should embody in their daily lives, both within the Church and in society.
Bishop Maksi held up the figure of the Blessed Virgin Mary as a model of a life of faith. Mary was not someone who was spared from all of life’s sorrows, hardships, and challenges. In fact, she suffered the most when she saw her beloved Son suffer and be put to death. Yet Mary remained a person of solidarity, walking alongside others.
“This procession is meant to show us the Blessed Virgin Mary coming to visit and greet us. She shares her joy and peace with us through the example of her life and through her prayers for us,” said Bishop Maksi.
RD Heribertus Ratu (081398461957)
Publications Section, Golo Koe Festival 2025 Organizing Committee
