For the locals it means traffic jams and congested sidewalks, but the faithful don’t get deterred by anything as they wend their way to the Mahim church. Make it for nine consecutive Wednesdays and your wish will be granted, is an ingrained belief thrown at me by the most surprising of people, cutting across divisive lines like religion, language etc.

There’s a God and s/he’s listening. Is your prayer loud enough?

As for me, been there done that sums up my experience with Novena. I am, naturally, a believer, a firm one at that.

But what I like more than the prayer etc is Mahim church’s attempt at spreading the good word on its board outside, which I look for everyday as I drive past. Nuggets of wisdom, they somehow seem to sense my prevailing mood and offer a word or two, usually more, of solace.

Like this week I saw to the effect: ‘He who is afraid to die is too scared to live.’ This is the week that I go chasing after life.

The other week it was: ‘The road to a friend’s home is never long.’ That was the week when a friend was stopping by in Mumbai. Natch.

And so it’s been for many weeks now. So much so that every time I pass the church I look out for its advice for the world-weary and feel a thrill on spotting a new one.