Mumbai – Catholics across Mumbai are preparing to have an overnight pilgrimage walk. The annual event that has been happening for the last 27 years, will this year take place on March 21.
Called All Mumbai Walking Pilgrimage For Peace, it will start from Cross Maidan at 10:30 pm and end at the Basilica of Mount Mary the next morning.
Larson Fernandes, member of the Marian Seva Foundation, which organizes the walks, said: “The walking happens just a week before the Holy week. This time, Holy week starts from March 29, which is when Palm Sunday falls.”
Cardinal Oswald Cardinal Gracias, Archbishop of Bombay, will flag off the walk. It will end with a Mass led by Bishop Bosco Penha. The pilgrimage that sees footfall of thousands, passes through Haji Ali and Our Lady of Salvation Church, Dadar before ending at Bandra, reported DNA.
Fernandes added: “A number of non-Catholics put up stalls to provide water and biscuits to us.”
Father Nigel Barrett, spokesperson of the Archdiocese of Bombay, said that it is a walk of faith. “Both the spots, Cross Maidan and Mount Mary Church have been symbols of Christian faith. The walk looks to have peace in our country and the message that all share a common bond and humanity. We stand united against all kinds of injustice and religious intolerance.”
Christians of all denominations will form a human chain on March 14. Thousands will assemble from Churchgate station to Mount Mary Church, Bandra. The human chain is against ‘hate campaigns and religious intolerance’.