Mangaluru: In a landmark celebration of faith and childhood, the Diocese of Mangalore organised its biggest-ever children’s convention, ‘NINAAD–Burgyalem Festh 2K26’, bringing together around 6,500 children representing 125 parishes across the diocese at St Joseph Engineering College (SJEC), Vamanjoor, on Sunday.

Held as part of the diocese’s ‘Year of Children 2026’ initiatives, the day-long convention provided a vibrant platform for children to strengthen their faith, build friendships and deepen their understanding of Christian values.

One of the most striking moments of the convention was a spectacular human formation involving all 6,500 participants. Assembled on the sprawling open turf of the SJEC campus, the children synchronised their movements to create a massive representation of the Eucharistic Host, Chalice and Cross. The symbolic formation conveyed the message of the Eucharist as the spiritual nourishment of the younger generation and the Cross as a source of inspiration in their lives.

Bishop of Mangalore Rev Peter Paul Saldanha presided over the gathering and shared a pastoral message in keeping with the convention’s theme, ‘Our Children, Fruits of God’s Kingdom’. Emphasising the importance of safeguarding and nurturing children, he reiterated the commitment reflected in the convention’s pledge: ‘Children’s Safety is Our Priority’.

A special awareness session was conducted by Rev Fr Francis Assisi Almeida, Karnataka regional secretary of the Education Commission and syndicate member of Bangalore City University. The session highlighted issues concerning children’s well-being, safety and holistic development.

The convention was jointly organised by various diocesan pastoral commissions, including Family Life, Basic Ecclesial Communities, Youth (ICYM and YCS), Education, Bible Commission, Catechetics, Missionary Childhood, Social Communication, Vocation and Formation, and Proclamation and Evangelisation.

The unprecedented participation and collective involvement of children from across the diocese made NINAAD–Burgyalem Festh 2K26 a significant milestone in the Diocese of Mangalore’s efforts to place children at the heart of its pastoral mission.