West Manggarai – Thousands of Catholics took part in the sea procession of Bunda Maria Assumpta Nusantara (Our Lady Assumpta of the Archipelago) in Labuan Bajo, West Manggarai, East Nusa Tenggara (NTT) on Thursday (August 14, 2025).
The sea procession is part of the Golo Koe Festival, held in Labuan Bajo from August 10–15, 2025.
“One of the biggest events in the Golo Koe Festival is this pilgrimage of the statue of the Virgin Mary,” said Festival Golo Koe committee member, RP Yeremias Bero, on Thursday.
“This marks the culmination of the Virgin Mary pilgrimage after traveling for about a month from parish to parish within the Diocese of Labuan Bajo. Today’s pilgrimage starts from the Stela Maris Chapel to Golo Koe Grotto via the sea,” he added.
The sea procession involved two pinisi ships, seven open-deck boats, and 50 ketinting (small motorized boats) owned by local fishermen. The Bishop of Labuan Bajo, Mgr. Maksimus Regus, along with dozens of priests, nuns, local government officials, and members of the public, boarded the vessels to join the procession.
Meanwhile, thousands of people awaited the arrival of the procession at Waterfront City, the final stop for the sea journey. At the forefront was a pinisi adorned with the red-and-white Indonesian flag and the yellow-and-white Vatican flag.
The 1.95-meter-tall statue of Bunda Maria Assumpta Nusantara was placed on the upper deck of the lead pinisi. Behind it followed a large pinisi and seven open-deck boats, while 50 ketinting boats decorated with Indonesian flags sailed at the rear.
The sacred procession began at 4:00 p.m. WITA from Dermaga Biru in Kampung Ujung, Labuan Bajo. The route passed the waters around Bajo Island, Monkey Island, and Pede Beach, ending at Waterfront City Labuan Bajo at 6:00 p.m. WITA.
Upon arrival, the statue was greeted by thousands of devotees with Ja’i dances, prayers, and hymns. Many held candles, reciting prayers and singing religious songs.
The statue was then carried by thousands of pilgrims to the Golo Koe Marian Grotto, about five kilometers from Marina Waterfront Labuan Bajo. They walked in procession, chanting prayers and singing hymns in honor of the Virgin Mary.
“Tomorrow, August 15, is the Feast of the Assumption of Mary. Before the grand Mass celebration, today we hold this pilgrimage of the Bunda Maria Assumpta statue. This pilgrimage is an act of honoring the Virgin Mary, who has been declared the Patroness of the Archipelago,” said Yeremias.
Source: detik.com