CHRISTINE CRAMER
The attraction towards Our Lady of Bandel sends spirit-filled grace to many young and old to take up the radical challenge to walk the way exploring individual and group devotions with prayers and songs carrying with them candles, flowers and incense. The Annual Pilgrimage is held every year on the second Sunday of January. This year the walking pilgrimage could not be possible due to the Pandemic restrictions and norms in force. Instead a curtailed version of the pilgrimage was organized. The Catholic Association of Bengal (CAB) took the initiative for the first time in history to organize an alternate programme within Covid-19 Pandemic restrictions. The Statue of Our Lady of Bandel was welcomed warmly in the Twin cities of Howrah and Kolkata Parishes. This could only be possible by the committed and dedicated team of three Office Bearers of the Catholic Association of Bengal namely Mrs Angelina Mantosh Jasnani the President. Mr. Colin Fitzgerald the Treasurer and Mrs Margaret Coelho the Assistant Secretary with the coordination of Father Ramesh Cherian. Rector of Auxilium Parish who humbly requested Fr. T L. Francis. Prior of Bandel Basilica to allow the statue to come to the Twin Cities as Marian Devotees could not make the annual pilgrimage on foot this year due to the Pandemic Restrictions. Father John Chain the Parish Priest of Auxilium was very kind to allow the scheduled program at Auxilium Parish. The CAB is very grateful to both Fr Ramesh and Fr John for their generous support.
The CAB Happy Voyage Church Howrah Parish Unit took charge of the Eucharistic Celebration. Mrs Christine Cramer the President with the unit team members had made all prior arrangements. The Statue arrived at the Church of Our Lady of Happy Voyage Howrah at 11 AM in a tempo decorated with flowers and garlands with beautiful Marian devotional hymns playing in the background. The Parish Priest. Fr. Victor David and Co - Pastor Fr. Devraj Fernandes welcomed Our Dear Mother. The Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Calcutta. Rev. Fr. Dominic Gomes was the main celebrant for the Eucharistic Celebration who sought the blessings for all Pilgrims from Our Lady with showering garlands and venerating her with Aarti. The pilgrims were blessed with Holy Water while entering the Church in a Solemn procession with the Holy Cross in front. The Choir led the faithful with their mesmerizing hymns welcoming Mother Mary by singing Ave Maria. In his homily Fr. Dominic mentioned a miracle of Mrs. Dorin Frazer who was suffering from severe appendicitis pain in 2002 and was rushed to the hospital. In the emergency room she saw the image of Our Lady of Bandel calling her, being under medication, she immediately left for Bandel and drank the Holy Water from the fountain in front of the Grotto. She was instantly cured and the pain disappeared. This testimony of Mrs Dorin Frazer is a MIRACLE done by Mother Mary. She is always listening to our prayers when we tall to her in difficult times. Being the feast of the Baptism of Our Lord Jesus Christ too. Fr. Dominic also mentioned the role of Mother Mary in the Baptism of our Lord. After the Mass tea and biscuits was served to all pilgrims by the CAB Howrah Unit Members. The vote of thanks was proposed by Mr. Colin Fitzgerald. Thereafter the Statue was taken to Auxilium Church Gobra. The procession was vehicular. Those pilgrims who wished to walk at their own pace did so. The Parish Priest of McMinn Fr John Chalil and Fr. Remesh Cherian the Rector of Auxilium Retreat Centre welcomed Our Lady at the Gates of the Church with a group of women showering flowers and garlands on Mother singing hymn too. The second hall of the day schedule began at 2 PM. The Auxilium Men group 'Kirtans' sang Marian Hymns. giving praise to Mother Mary. At 2.45 PM the rosary procession began with the statue going around the compound of the Church with devotional hymns. Thereafter the pilgrims who walked from Howrah to Auxilium were blessed. A group of Women belonging to the Bengali Congregation put up a dance performance to welcome Our Lady of Bandel. At 3.30 PM a powerful Charismatic one hour Eucharistic Adoration was conducted by Fr. Ramesh Cherian The laity raising their hands glorying and worshiping Our Lunt with Shouts of Alleluia and Praises. with the Charismatic Choir singing soft hymns felt the powerful presence of the Holy Spirit in Church. Children, Men, Women, youth,elderly all participated in the Adoration and Benediction. A Solemn Eucharistic Celebration followed soon after the Adoration and Benediction Fr Dominic Gomes. Vicar General, Fr Orson Wells. Fr Anthony Paul, Fr John Chalil, Fr Remesh Cherian,Fr. Moloy D'Costa the Dean of Kolkata who was the main celebrant together served Holy Man. The Man was celebrated in Bengali. The homily was given by Fr. Orson Wells the Parish Priest of Our Lady of Vailankanni. Picnic Garden. He very beautifully spoke on the devotion of Mother Mary and elaborated on her help whenever we reach out to her in prayers. She is our Mediator to her Son Jesus Christ. All the pilgrims received a blessed photo of St Joseph being the year dedicated to St. Joseph and Rosaries distributed by the CAB Members. The day ended with refreshments generously contributed by the Auxilium Volunteers.
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