Amira Peter
NORTH ARABIAN VICARIATE, MAY 09, 2012: On the occasion of the feast of St. Dominic Savio, the patron of expectant mothers, the Family Ministry of St Thérèse of the child Jesus Parish, in the North Arabian Vicariate, organized a Holy Mass for all the expectant mothers and their family members on May 07, 2012. It was well attended by about thirty expectant mothers and their families.The Holy Mass was celebrated by Fr. Joy Marangattikala. Special readings and responses were selected keeping expectant mothers in mind.
In his homily, Fr. Marangattikala invited a lady to share her testimony. She shared her testimony of a safe delivery despite a very difficult and complicated pregnancy. She added that it was solely her devotion to Dominic Savio which resulted in a safe delivery. She urged all the expectant mothers to pray to Dominic Savio for a healthy pregnancy and a safe delivery.
The liturgical singing was well animated by the melodious voices of the Guardian Angel choir.
Since there was a dearth of Dominic Savio's scapulars in the parish, the expectant mothers who had one, were encouraged to share it with others once their babies were born.
At the end of mass, the expectant mothers were requested to complete a feedback form that would help the Family Ministry design programs suited to the needs of expectant mothers in the future.
The expectant mothers and their families left the church with gratitude in their heart to the Salesians and the Family ministry members for their thoughtfulness. They requested the family ministry members to organize Eucharist more often in the future.