“We need to follow the example of Mary and fulfill God’s will first,” Bishop Basilio Athai, auxiliary bishop of Taunggyi Archdiocese, told the gathered crowd in his homily.
The Mass was followed by a competition for parish groups playing the traditional drums and flutes. Both Catholics and non-Catholics also took part in a traditional dance program.
Local people prepared for the Feast with a nine day novena including evening Mass followed by the recital of the rosary and benediction.
Church groups also took part in a morning-to-midnight adoration service each day at a nearby Marian grotto.
Father Aniceto Dereh Day, parish priest of Sacred Heart Cathedral, told ucanews.com that the number of pilgrims had grown each year since Archbishop Matthis U Shwe of Taunggyi Archdiocese approved the grotto as a National Pilgrimage site.
“Baptists, Buddhists and animists as well as Catholics join the feast every year,” Father Dereh said.
“Even the non-Catholics believe that Mary is the mother of God,” he explained.
Ignatius, 35, a carpenter who has participated in the annual event since he was eight years old, told ucanews.com that he hoped to receive graces through the intercession of Mary after injuring his arm in a recent accident.
Daria Naing, 71, added that since she had no parents she looked upon Mary as her mother.
“I came to pray to our mother Mary to obtain eternal peace for the world,” she said.
The Pekhon diocese has celebrated the annual Marian feast, which is known a Jeroblom or Living together, since 1982.
In 1982, the villagers from other places moved Pekhon and start the village at the foot of the hill where now Marian grotto is situated.
source:ucanews
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