Prakash Nathan & Henry Menezes
NASHIK, SEPTEMBER 13, 2010: The Feast of the Nativity of Our Lady was celebrated in Nashik under the title of Vailankanni Mata. Both at Don Bosco Church, Nashik and St. Dominic Savio Church, Satpur the Novena and the Feast were celebrated with much attendance, devotion and fervour.
At Dominic Savio, Satpur the Feast began with the animated Holy Eucharist at 8.30 am. The Church was well decorated. The main Celebrant was Rev. Fr. Ravi Tribhuvan, the Vicar General of the Diocese of Nashik. In his Homily he spoke of the importance and the meaning of the devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary. He illustrated how the birth of the Virgin Mary is also the birth of our eternal Salvation. After the Eucharist followed a prayerful procession of all the faithful. The statue of Vailankanni Mata was taken in procession to the grotto where the Marian Flag was hoisted on August 29, the day before the Novena began. After all had gather together at the grotto and the Marian Flag, Our Lady was wished on her Birthday with a “Happy Birthday” song. That was followed by salutations and slogans in the name of Mary – “Maria Mata Ki Jai”. The Church Compound resounded and echoed with the name of Mary, our Mother. After a short prayer, the Marian Flag was gradually lowered and then a Marian Hymn was sung. The people stood in silence for several minutes praying to the Blessed Virgin. What followed was something unusual – a sharing together of Prasad and “Lapsy” made from Bulgar. “Lapsy” is an old preparation much loved by the people. Bulgar is the broken wheat. The people at Satpur spent time together enjoying and celebrating the Birthday of their Mother. The whole Novena and the Feast pointed to their love for their Mother.
What took place in the evening at Don Bosco Parish, Nashik was something similar, i.e., Holy Eucharist, procession, singing of the ‘Happy Birthday’ to Our Lady, the lowering of the Flag and moments shared together. The only difference was that at Don Bosco the Marian procession was a candle-light procession which seemed similar to the ones they have at Lourdes and the moments together were shared over a non-veg Fellowship Meal. The novena and the Feast were held for the first time at Don .Bosco Parish, Nashik Several were surprised at the great response given by the faithful. Thanks to the main Celebrant of the Holy Eucahrist, Rev. Fr. Suresh Sathe, and the Director of the Nashik Social Service Society.
