2 lakh devotees flock to the Shrine of Our Lady of Health, Harihar

Harihar: The Feast of Harihar Matha was celebrated with grandeur and pomp on September 8 at the Shrine of Our Lady of Health, Harihar. Around 2 lakh pilgrims flocked to the shrine to participate in the liturgical events of the day.

The Shrine of Our Lady of health attracts lakhs of devotees throughout the year. Many people who have visited the shrine have seen miracles such as the childless receiving children, sick regained their health, healing and so on. Over the years, this shrine has become a refuge for all the distressed and dejected.

Legend has it that a Brahmin priest while having a bath, was miraculously saved from drowning by the statue of our Lady. Later, even his ailing wife and children were saved by this miraculous statue. The Brahmin and his family started to venerate the statue as “Satyamma (Mother of Truth)” and remained faithful to this Marian devotion till their very last breath. As the years went by, priests from the nearing town recognized the statue as the statue of our Lady. Thus, the devotion to Mary spread among the faithful in and around Harihar.

This year, His Grace Rev. Dr Peter Machado (Archbishop, Archdiocese of Bengaluru) presided over the solemn Eucharistic celebration on the eve of the feast. The Archbishop was felicitated by Bishop Francis Serrao and Fr Anthony Peter, the Rector of the Shrine. Fr Franklin D’Souza and Bro T K George released a Christian devotional album, “Devara Vakyave Yesu” and a year planner. The Yesu Sparsha team conducted praise and worship, adoration and healing prayers after the mass on September 7. On September 8 the celebration of the Eucharist began at 5:30 a.m. It was offered by Fr Anthony Peter, the Rector of the Shrine.

The Eucharistic Celebrations were held in all the south Indian languages one after the other. Most Rev. Dr Robert Miranda (Bishop, Diocese of Gulbarga) offered masses in English and Konkani. The festal mass was held at 11:30 am and was offered by Bishop Dr Francis Serrao. It was concelebrated by Most Rev. Dr Robert Miranda and more than fifty other priests from the diocese and elsewhere. Rev. Fr. Francis Serrao, in his sermon, stressed the need to strengthen our relationship in this globalized world. He spoke about four kinds of relationships, emotional, trusting, spiritual and sacrificial. He insisted that Christians need to keep growing in the relationship with God, neighbours, and creation.

After the Holy Eucharist, the bishops released a Christian devotional album named “Jagadolavina Thayi, Harihara Matha. Stickers of Harihar Matha and Novena book of Marian Devotion were also released to commemorate the silver jubilee of the new church building. The flower decorated car procession, carrying the statue of Harihar Matha was blessed and taken around the town.

Incumbent MLA Ramappa and Ex-MLA B P Harish also participated devoutly in the procession. The faithful recited the rosary and sang hymns in honour of Mother Mary. The festal celebrations came to a conclusion with a Thanksgiving Eucharistic service offered by Fr Anthony Peter, the Rector of the Shrine.