Graceful Celebration of the Feast of Our Lady of Health, Harihar
Harihar, September 8, 2014
The Feast of Our Lady of health was celebrated with all its glory on 8 September 2014, The Feast of the Nativity of Blessed Virgin Mary. It was a treat for the eyes to see the faith of the devotees of Mother coming in thousands to receive the blessings.
From the day of flag hoisting till the day of feast, thousands of pilgrims experienced the Love of Mama Mary and the spiritual food that was provided everyday during the Novena till the feast increased the faith of the people in Mother Mary. From 5 September itself the pilgrims from far and wide had begun taking shelter inside the campus. Following the tradition, on 6 September the Novena Mass was celebrated at the Old Church, the original residential place of the Brahmin where the Tomb of the Brahmin is still preserved.
On 7 September being Sunday number of Eucharists were celebrated as per the need of the pilgrims. On the eve of the feast the solemn Eucharist was celebrated by Most Rev. Antony Swamy, Bishop of Chikmagalur.
On 8 September the day of feast there were masses throughout the day in various languages; Kannada, English, Telagu, Tamil, Konkani & Malyalam. Most Rev. Joseph Arumachadath Bishop of Bhadravathi celebrated the Malyalam Mass in Syro-Malabar Rite. The festal solemn concelebrated Eucharist was celebrated at 11.30 am by Most Rev. Peter Machado Bishop of Belgaum. The day was ended with a thanks giving mass celebrated by the Rector and the Parish Priest Fr. Stany D’Souza.
From 9 September thousands of devotees of Satyamma (The name by which the Brahmin and other non-Catholics used for the miraculous statue of Mama Mary) visited the shrine with candles and expressed their love and faith in Satyamma. The whole town of Harihar was in festive mood.
There was no stone left unturned to make the feast a great success. It was a team work by the Parish Clergy together with the various Parish Comities and duly assisted by number of Priests and Nuns from in and outside Harihar. Great effort was done to provide the basic facilities and better accommodation for the pilgrims. We thank the almighty God for the pleasant climate throughout the days and also protection from possible causalities.