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Millions of pilgrims on foot towards the Lourdes of the East
Each year, over 5 million faithful visit the Sanctuary of Our Lady of
Vailankanni. Over 3 million of these undertake the journey between
August 29th and September 8th to celebrate the Blessed Virgin, despite
the searing heat and distance.
Chennai (AsiaNews/Ucan) - As the end of August approached, groups of
Marian devotees dressed in saffron dotted highways leaving Chennai. They
walked a slow but steady pace in the sultry weather. While many walked
barefoot, some carried flags and a few pulled small cars decorated with
images of the Blessed Mother.
Every year thousands of pilgrims from around Tamil Nadu state walk to
Vailankanni (virgin of Velai), India's most popular Marian shrine. The
festival begins at the shrine on Aug. 29 with a flag hoisting, and ends
on Sept. 8 with a car procession. Church officials say nearly 3 million
people visit the shrine during the festival season..
Vailankanni, also known as the Lourdes of the East, is India's most
popular Marian shrine, situated some 310 kilometres south of Chennai.
Thanjavur diocese manages the shrine. The Blessed Mother is said to have
appeared to a disabled Hindu boy at the site in the 16th century and
healed him. Around 5 million people visit the Catholic shrine from all
over India every year. More than half the pilgrims are from other
religions.
Selvam Victor, 43, led a group of 12 from Chennai, the Tamil Nadu
capital, 2,100 kilometres south of New Delhi. "We take this journey of
faith to express our love and devotion to the Blessed Mother. This
journey is difficult and tiring, but the number of pilgrims walking
every year has only increased".
As preparation for the pilgrimage, Victor, an electrician, turned
vegetarian and did not shave or cut his hair. He wore saffron, the
colour denoting renunciation, and attended daily Mass.
After walking for three hours, Victor's group reached Tamara, on
Chennai's outskirts, where they rested in a temporary shelter put up by
local Catholics. After resting and filling up water bottles, the group
resumed the walk, praying the rosary in Tamil. The group would stop at
many more places during their 11-day walk.
Maria Susai, 28, a member of Victor's group, started to feel pain when
his feet swelled the first day. The carpenter, who was making his first
walking trip to the shrine, was not deterred. "I know this is difficult,
but I will finish the trip with the blessing of Our Lady of
Vailankanni".
Soon, another group joined Victor's. "As the journey progresses, the
number of groups joining together will increase, along with the sense of
mutual admiration, love and solidarity," Victor observed. The youngest
member in the new group was sixth-grader Arockia Mary, whose name means
Our Lady of Health in Tamil. Her mother, Celine Josephine, told UCA
News: "I was childless for six years. My child was born with the
blessing of the Blessed Mother, so we have named her after the Blessed
Mother".
The woman, now making her third trip, said walking to the shrine is both
penance and an expression of love. "During the journey, we reflect on
our lives, our blessings and our sufferings". Her daughter was
accompanying her for the first time. "I will finish the journey and get
blessed by Mother Mary".
Pilgrims stay at various parishes and make arrangements for food before
they start their journey. "Parishes are the best place to stay, as they
are safe," said Franklin Vinod, another group leader. To avoid the harsh
weather during the day, some pilgrims walk during the early morning and
rest during the hotter hours.
Maria Selvam, 55, another member of Victor's group, said cell phones
help pilgrims keep in touch with family members at home. This has made
everyone feel safer and more secure.
After reaching Vailankanni, pilgrims visit the shrine, tonsure heads,
take a bath in the nearby sea and change to street dress to mark the
pilgrimage's end. But until they reach the shrine, the gentle recitation
of the rosary will be heard on the highways of Tamil Nadu.
http://www.asianews.it/index.php?l=en&art=10189&size=A
~(^^)~
Avelino
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ECAP 2007 - Computer Society of India - Goa Chapter inaugurates its 15th
Exhibition of Computers & Allied Products at Hotel Mandovi, Panaji
at 9:30am on Sep 8, 2007 at the hands of Mr. M. N. Rao - Advisor & Director
(IT) Department of Computer Science - Government of Goa.
All are cordially Invited
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