The FIFA World Cup 2026 has begun in full swing over the weekend, and almost every other Mumbaikar is busy supporting their favourite football club including the likes of Brazil, Argentina, Spain and Portugal. Interestingly, Mumbai’s religious places are also supporting the football fever but with a twist. One of them is St Michael’s Church in Mahim, known to put up quirky messages on its signboard facing the road, and they are turning heads yet again.
Keeping up with the interest of football fans in the city, the Mahim church put up the message, “World Cups Are Earned. Salvation Is Free”, earning lot of praise from not only those Mumbaikars, who were passing by the signboard, but also those online, after they shared a reel on their Instagram page ‘StMichaelMahim’, with the caption, “No matter which team you root for, God’s rooting for you”.
Archdiocese of Bombay joins FIFA World Cup 2026 fever
It isn’t only the Mahim church that has put up a catchy message on social media. Ahead of the football world cup tournament, even the Archdiocese of Bombay’s Instagram account shared a message saying, “No matter which team you support, don’t forget that you’re on God’s team”.
They also added, “Remember- on God’s team, faithfulness matters more than winning! As the FIFA World Cup 2026 begins, we also remember the Pope’s intention for June, that sports may be an instrument of peace, encounter and dialogue among cultures and nations, and promote values such as respect, solidarity, and personal growth.“ They followed it up with catchy captions for Biblical figures such as James & John, Philip, Matthew and Peter too.
Timely messages about social issues
It is not only football that has made St Michael’s Church in Mahim turn to spread a larger public message about spirituality and everyday life, through their signboards on the road. They have been very active with their signposts being very catchy for years. With the messages changed on a weekly basis, earlier this June, they also put up the message “Give Us Today Our Daily Rain” with the caption, “Rain Rain, do not delay. Mumbai’s melting day by day”. It followed an earlier message that said, “Pray For The ‘Soon’ in Monsoon”, adding that it was time to storm heaven with your prayers.
These messages come at a time when Mumbai is experiencing extremely hot weather, and facing a clearly delayed monsoon cycle, making people wish for the rain now more than ever. While the rain is yet to come, they definitely bring a smile on the face of Mumbaikars passing by as they take the time out of their busy schedules to pause and reflect about their daily lives.
FIFA World Cup 2026 fever! Mahim`s St Michael’s Church puts up inspiring quote
