Chris Valentino sdb
MUMBAI, MAY 24, 2008: The Feast of Mary Help of Christians was celebrated at Don Bosco Matunga, with devotees packing the Shrine to capacity all through the day. The entire day wore a festive look and not withstanding the blistering heat – men, women, children, young and old alike – kept pouring in constantly to thank, honour and pray to Mother Mary. The Solemn Festal Mass scheduled for 6.30 pm, was presided over by His Lordship, Bishop Thomas Dabre of Vasai. Also present for the occasion were several priests, religious from the neighbouring parishes and scores of hundreds of devotees who filled up the open grounds. Delivering a motivating and inspiring homily, Bishop Dabre drew various reflections, inviting the 
faithful to become disciples of the Word following the example of Our Blessed Mother. He said “Mary was pure, holy, and inviolate, always seeking to do the will of God. In the present global scenario where materialism and maximum monetary benefits are the norm of the day, Mother Mary shows the way.” He called on the youth, in a special way to imitate and emulate the ‘woman from Nazareth.’ The prayer of the faithful was creatively animated with the special prayer composed by the Holy Father in the aftermath of the natural disasters in China and Myanmar. Fr Edwin D’ Souza, Rector of the Shrine appreciated and expressed his sentiments of gratitude to the many people who had been instrumental in making this a solemn and festive celebration. He also thanked in a special way Frs. Elias Diaz and Fr. Ian Doulton who preached the Konkani and English Novena, while also expressing his gratitude to the other priests of the campus who were ever available for the distribution of Communion and the Ministry of Reconciliation. Ms Rita D’Sa and Mr. Ignatius Almeida were thanked respectively for the melodious choir and the decoration of the float. The Holy Eucharist culminated with a graceful procession into the Shrine with the beautifully decked up statue of Mary Help of Christians. Truly it was a festive atmosphere of prayer, praise and devotion, where Mary was there….
faithful to become disciples of the Word following the example of Our Blessed Mother. He said “Mary was pure, holy, and inviolate, always seeking to do the will of God. In the present global scenario where materialism and maximum monetary benefits are the norm of the day, Mother Mary shows the way.” He called on the youth, in a special way to imitate and emulate the ‘woman from Nazareth.’ The prayer of the faithful was creatively animated with the special prayer composed by the Holy Father in the aftermath of the natural disasters in China and Myanmar. Fr Edwin D’ Souza, Rector of the Shrine appreciated and expressed his sentiments of gratitude to the many people who had been instrumental in making this a solemn and festive celebration. He also thanked in a special way Frs. Elias Diaz and Fr. Ian Doulton who preached the Konkani and English Novena, while also expressing his gratitude to the other priests of the campus who were ever available for the distribution of Communion and the Ministry of Reconciliation. Ms Rita D’Sa and Mr. Ignatius Almeida were thanked respectively for the melodious choir and the decoration of the float. The Holy Eucharist culminated with a graceful procession into the Shrine with the beautifully decked up statue of Mary Help of Christians. Truly it was a festive atmosphere of prayer, praise and devotion, where Mary was there….