Shivajinagar Basalica, B’luru sees a great crowd at Marian devotions

Mangalore Today News Network

Bengaluru, Aug 31, 2016:  Thousands of devotees attended the first day of the nine-day preparations to celebrate the birthday of Mother Mary at a Marian shrine in Bengaluru, southern India.

 

Addressing the gathering at St. Mary’s Basalica in Shivajinagar, Archbishop Bernard Moras of Bangalore called for translating devotion into acts of mercy.  The prelate, who celebrated his 75th birthday on August 10, hoisted the Marian Flag before leading a solemn Mass to launch the novena to the Blessed Mother.

Worship of God and devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary should translate into attitudes and acts of Mercy. Only by understanding and cherishing the experience of God’s bountiful mercies upon us can we bear witness to His mercy and compassion in every sphere of our life and activity. The devotees who had thronged to the 131-year-old church were exhorted by the Archbisop Rev Bernard Moras.

The church it self can hardly hold 2,000 people, the public transport department has suspended operations to a major bus stand close to the church. The police department has banned vehicular movement within a 2-km radius to provide space for devotees.  Devotees pushed for space on the narrow lanes and by-lanes around the basilica, which has installed giant-size LCDs at various places to help them witness the services.

St. Mary’s Basilica, a significant landmark in the state of Karnataka, stands 160 feet tall within a few meters distance of an equally old mosque and temple in Shivajinagar, a bustling market area.

Regarded as a popular place of piety and devotion and inter-religious harmonious living, Shivajinagar also is game for hundreds of small and big-time businessmen, especially during the 9-day novena period. Festal decoration and huge billboards with Feast Day greetings and messages from politicians and ‘social workers’ flanked the roads leading to the basilica.

K J George  Banglaluru’s former Urban Development chief guest at the ceremony, was greeted by the archbishop with the traditional Indian Shawl and a bouquet.  After giving the final Benediction (with monstrance) Archbishop Moras then waved hands to the jubilant gathering as they headed to pray at the Marian shrine at the basilica. Many participated in a thanksgiving Mass later in the evening.

The majestic Gothic-style St. Mary’s Basilica popularly known as ‘Kanikkai Madha Kovil’ traces its origin to a thatched hut in the 17th century church, credited to Rev. L. E. Kleiner. It was consecrated on September 8, 1882, by Bishop Jean-Yves-Marie Coadou, the then vicar apostolic of Mysore.   It was elevated to the status of minor basilica in 1973 by Pope Paul VI.