by Swetha Celestine Barboza
KUWAIT, FEB 14, 2017: William Wordsworth once wrote, the Virgin Mary is 'our tainted nature's solitary boast'. In 2017, Mary will receive special attention in the Vicariate 
of Northern Arabia because Bishop Bishop Camillo Ballin has declared it as a 'Marian Year'.
This is to mark the centenary year of the famed Marian apparitions reported in 1917 by three shepherd children, Lúcia Santos and her cousins Jacinta and Francisco Marto at the Cova da Iria, in Fátima, Portugal.
The parish has planned numerous initiatives to enhance knowledge and to help the laity grow in our love for our Lady. Nearly 120 faithful attended the first Marian-centered event, planned by the Salmiya Parish Youth (SPY) of Saint Therese of Child Jesus Church, Kuwait on February 9. The youth organised Marian Knight - an evening with Mother Mary.
The event featured quizzes, hymns, puzzles and riddles about Mother Mary. The organisers of the event started the evening with a prayer led by Levi Almeida followed by a medley of hymns dedicated to Mother Mary.
Shayne Nair hosted the event. "It gave me immense pleasure to see the number of people who had come in the name of Mother Mary. I was glad that we could organise such a wonderful event that could give people more knowledge about Mother Mary. My team of volunteers did a brilliant job of keeping the participants on their feet," he said.
The judges for the event were Kenneth Remedios, Michelle Remedios and Clarence Pires. A total of 18 games were conducted.
Father Xavier D'Souza, who is the Youth Director for the Vicariate of Kuwait, lauded the youth for their effort. "Splendid and tremendous work by the SPY that united people young and old to reflect and learn about our dear Mother Mary," he said.
The participants showed immense interest in all the activities conducted. The event ended with participants singing hymns to Mother Mary.