Nagpur: A Catholic prelate in central India has criticized attempts to impose uniform culture in the country.

“We are all not the same, and we do not have all to be the same,” asserted Archbishop Abraham Viruthakulangara of Nagpur during an annual pilgrimage to a 19th-century Marian grotto.

Thousands of people from different religions on February 7 thronged the grotto that a layman built in the 19th century to honor Our Lady of Lourdes in Nagpur, central India. The grotto known as Lourdu Matha Mandir (Temple of Lourdes Mother) sits at the foot of Seminary Hill close to St Charles Seminary.

“The grotto is a landmark of Nagpur as it draws thousands throughout the year,” said the prelate who revived the pilgrimage in 2000.

The archbishop noted that the grotto is open to all. “Nobody requires an entrance ticket to come and pray here,” he said referring to a recent controversy over the ban on women’s entry to certain places of worship.

According to the archbishop, the grotto has become a meeting point of people of different faiths, beliefs and linguistic groups. “We are all here like different musical instruments that play the same music in harmony. The need of the hour in our country is to witness this harmony,” he added.

Quoting Pope Francis’ book The Church of Mercy, the prelate said, “The Pope compares the Church and society as a great orchestra in which there is a great variety.

“If we strive for uniformity and propagate one culture and one way of living, we are mistaken. We must all live in peace and harmony and be part of this great orchestra where Holy Spirit God will be the great Master,” he added.

Our Lady of Lourdes in NagpurSeveral people told Matters India that the annual pilgrimage helped revive their faith.

Revati Pillai, who became a Catholic a year ago, said she was “overwhelmed with joy when she witnessed the faith of so many people in Jesus and their love for Mother Mary.”

Alisha Narzary from Bongaigaon, Assam, said she experienced “deepening of faith” after attending Mass and procession. “People went to the Blessed mother with pain and sorrow and returned with a pleasant countenance, their hearts filled with gifts joy and peace,” said the 17-year-old girl who was on a visit to Nagpur.

Church records show that the grotto was built by G.B. Heysmond, who worked in the railways. He had made vow in 1891 to visit the Grotto of Our Lady of Lourdes in France to thank for a special favor received through the Blessed Virgin’s intercession.

However, the railway authorities denied him leave to travel to France. When he brought the matter to the Church authorities, they commuted his vow into performing a religious work equal to the burden of fulfilling his vow.