From July 9 to August 14, the Diocese of Labuan Bajo on Flores Island, Indonesia, is alive with devotion and celebration for the Blessed Virgin Mary. Known locally as Golo Koe, the five-week Marian festival in honor of Our Lady of the Assumption brings together thousands of Catholics — and remarkably, hundreds of Muslims — in a unique display of interfaith unity, cultural pride, and deep spiritual reverence.
The opening celebration was held at St. Martin’s Parish in Bari, where a Marian statue was carried in a grand procession. Although the traditional water-based launch had to be adapted due to weather concerns, the land-based alternative proved just as powerful, according to Radio Veritas Asia (RVA), which described the event as “a powerful witness of interfaith solidarity.”
Muslim villagers participated alongside their Christian neighbors, wearing traditional Manggarai attire and lining the streets with bamboo to welcome the statue of Mary. The day began with traditional Manggarai dances, songs, and rituals—an expression of the region’s indigenous culture and faith.
Bishop Maksimus Regus presided over the opening Mass and offered a reflection on the significance of Mary’s presence among the people of Flores. “The involvement of our Muslim brothers and sisters reflects the inclusive spirit of this festival,” the bishop said, underscoring Mary as a model of unity and presence.
This spirit of inclusion and harmony echoes throughout the 26 participating parishes in the diocese, where Catholics and Muslims alike share in this unique cultural celebration. The vicar general of the diocese, who also serves as the chairperson of the festival, called it “a spiritual and cultural movement of togetherness — transcending religious and ethnic lines,” according to RVA.
At its heart, Golo Koe is not only a devotion to the Assumption of Mary into Heaven but also a vibrant affirmation of Flores Island’s Catholic identity, indigenous heritage, and communal hope. This year’s festival will culminate on August 14 with a large procession from Waterfront City to Golo Koe Hill — a spiritual and cultural high point that locals anticipate with great joy.
As the universal Church prepares to honor the Solemnity of the Assumption, the faithful on Flores remind the world of Mary’s power to unite hearts across all boundaries. In a time when division often dominates the global narrative, Golo Koe stands as a beacon of peace, rooted in Our Lady’s maternal embrace.
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