Hyderabad : A historic Marian shrine in Hyderabad is preparing to welcome thousands of devotees for the annual feast of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary on September 8, bringing together Catholics and people from different faith backgrounds in a major celebration of faith and devotion.
The Shrine of Our Lady of Good Health in Khairatabad, popularly known as Arokia Madha or Mother of Good Health, has become an important centre of Marian devotion in the region. The annual celebration draws large numbers of faithful who come to pray, seek blessings and entrust their families and personal intentions to Mother Mary.
Nine-day novena precedes feast
Preparations for this year’s celebration began with the hoisting of the feast flag on August 29. This was followed by a nine-day novena beginning on August 30 and continuing until September 7, allowing devotees to prepare spiritually for the main feast.
The feast of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary is celebrated by Catholics around the world on September 8. It commemorates the birth of Mary, the mother of Jesus, and holds a special place in Catholic devotional life.
At the Hyderabad shrine, the observance combines prayer, liturgical celebrations and public expressions of faith, making the feast an important occasion for the local Catholic community as well as devotees who travel from different places.
Masses to begin from midnight
On September 8, Masses are scheduled to be celebrated at the shrine from midnight. The celebrations will culminate in the main feast Mass, which will be presided over by Anthony Cardinal Poola, Archbishop of Hyderabad and President of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India.
The participation of the Archbishop adds significance to the principal liturgical celebration as the faithful gather to honour Mary under the title of Our Lady of Good Health.
For many devotees, the feast is not simply a religious observance but also an opportunity to express gratitude, seek spiritual strength and pray for the wellbeing of loved ones.
Miraculous statue to be carried in procession
One of the most anticipated moments of the celebration will take place in the evening, when the shrine’s Miraculous Statue of Mother Mary will be carried in a solemn procession through the streets.
Thousands of faithful are expected to accompany the statue in prayer. The procession provides devotees with an opportunity to publicly express their faith and devotion while seeking Mary’s intercession for their families, struggles and hopes.
The procession is also expected to bring the celebration beyond the walls of the shrine, allowing the wider community to witness the religious observance.
For devotees, walking alongside the statue is a deeply personal expression of faith. Families and individuals traditionally use such occasions to offer prayers for health, peace, family unity and strength during difficult circumstances.
A celebration that brings communities together
The shrine’s annual feast is notable for the participation of people from different faith backgrounds. The gathering reflects the wider appeal of Marian shrines in India, where religious celebrations can also become occasions for prayer, fellowship and community interaction.
The Shrine of Our Lady of Good Health in Khairatabad is located in Hyderabad, the capital of Telangana. The city is one of southern India’s major metropolitan centres and is home to communities belonging to diverse religious and cultural traditions.
The participation of people beyond the Catholic community gives the celebration an added dimension, with the shrine serving as a place where people come together in faith and hope.
Faith, prayer and hope at the heart of the feast
The Nativity feast places the birth of Mary at the centre of the celebration, but for devotees the occasion also carries a broader message of hope and trust in God.
Under the title of Mother of Good Health, Mary is particularly associated with prayers for healing and wellbeing. Devotees visiting the shrine are expected to bring a range of personal intentions, including prayers for family members, health, peace and guidance.
The long novena preceding the feast allows worshippers to prepare themselves spiritually before the main celebration. The sequence of prayers, Masses and the final procession creates a sense of continuity and shared devotion among those taking part.
As Hyderabad prepares for the September 8 celebration, the shrine is set to become a focal point for thousands of pilgrims and worshippers.
The feast is expected to be marked by prayer, solemn liturgy and the traditional procession of the Miraculous Statue of Mother Mary. For the faithful gathering at Khairatabad, the occasion will be an expression of enduring devotion, gratitude and hope, while the participation of people from different backgrounds will underline the shrine’s wider place in the city’s religious and community life.