Birthday Of Mother Mary
Posted on June 17, 2008 in Festivals by Chris
September 8th is celebrated with great devotion by hundreds of Christians all over the world. This day is considered to be the birthday of Mother Mary. A special basilica (holy shrine) is built in honor of Mother Mary in the small town of Vailankhani ( Madras), which is situated on the shores of Bay of Bengal.
Everyday thousands of devotees irrespective of their caste,creed or religion come to Vailankhani to seek out her graces.
Mother Mary’s intercession are said to be very powerful, and one can see hundreds of devotees reciting the rosary at the shrine.
Many pilgrims visit the shrine to offer their thanksgivings and prayers to Mother Mary. Millions of miracles are said to occur every year at this shrine. This shrine is said to be the most visited shrine in India.
Mother Mary’s birthday is a ten-day celebration. Ten days before itself rosaries and Eucharistic celebrations are offered in honor of Mother Mary.
Three important events led to the construction of this shrine
Ist event: Mother Mary is said to appear in a vision to a small boy who stopped near a tank to take some rest. She asked him some milk for the little infant –Jesus in her hand. On reaching the customers house the boy explains the reason of him being late and apologizes for the reduced amount of milk.
To the boy’s surprise the milk in the container keeps overflowing continuously. The customer surprised at this event visits the place where the boy had the vision and constructs a small chapel there. The tank at which Mother Mary appeared is called “Our Lady’s Tank.”
IInd event: The second time Mother Mary appeared in a vision to a crippled boy, who was selling butter milk at the outskirts of Vailankinni, she asked him for some butter milk for the babe in her hand and asked him to visit a certain wealthy man in Nagapattnam and tell him of her appearance.
The crippled boy was overjoyed and ran to inform the wealthy man; little did he realize that his leg was completely healed. The wealthy man along with the little boy on returning saw Mother Mary at the same place again. The man then constructed a chapel in honor of Mother Mary at that very place. It is believed that the wealthy man had already had a vision a day before in which Our Lady had asked him to construct a chapel.
IIIrd event: A couple of Portuguese sailors were on a voyage, when they were met with a fierce storm. They prayed fervently to Mother Mary and she answered their prayers and rescued them by bringing them to the shores of Bay of Bengal, near her chapel, which was a thatched construction. The sailors then added on to the chapel as an act of thanksgiving and continued to do so even during their subsequent events. This led to the construction of a beautiful shrine, which is visited, by millions of devotees.
On the day of Mother Mary’s birthday all these events are meditated upon and Mother Mary’s intervention is fervently sought. Millions of devotees flock at the shrine; a procession is carried around the shrine. Mother Mary’s statue is beautifully decorated and devotees submit their offerings of fruits, food , candles and flowers at the feet of Mother Mary’s statue and then distribute the offerings among the poor.
People are seen wearing peach colored shirts, saris and dresses as peach is said to be the color of Mother Mary.
Vendors flock around the gates of the shrine selling sweatmeats, food, juices , toys, holy oils and statues.
If you are visiting Madras during the month of September do not forget to visit Mother Mary’s shrine.
» Filed Under Festivals