Krishnagar – A Marian grotto depicting popular Marian apparitions over centuries has come up in Krishnagar Nadia district on National High Way.
Some 400 devotees gathered for the blessing of the grotto constructed adjacent to the four lane highway at Muktinagar Holy Sacrament Parish for the blessing by Salesian Bishop Joseph Suren Gomes of Krishnagar, 7th December 2015.
The grotto construction was the fruit of a joint effort by the parishioners.
Bishop Gomes also released a new songbook containing new song compositions by singer-composer Mr. Apurba Kr. Halder.
Complimenting their efforts to honour Mother Mary Bishop Gomes said, “Today we are witnessing the inauguration of a unique and modern grotto which is just beside the national highway, in view of thousands of travelers who cross this path daily. Unlike the traditional grottos, this one bears a unique symbol of major Marian apparitions in different parts of the world, during the past centuries. May our heavenly mother be a guide and consolation to us and all who trust her.”
The grotto is made in the structure of a small chapel front with smooth wall, soothing acrylic paints, marble floor, and with design-iron grill-gate, viewable from a distance all day and night, with a large inscription below the roof cross: Ma – Amar, Tomar, Shobar Ma (Mother – mine, yours and everyone’s).
Immediately after the blessing of the new grotto, an animated rosary prayer of joyful mystery followed during which children depicted the mystery-scenes. After each decade of the rosary, the choir and people sang the newly composed Marian songs.
The uniqueness of the Muktinagar is that all the major apparitions of Mary, from Guadalupe to Vailankani, from Lourdes to Fatima and Bandel – all these popular devotions and traditions have found a place inside this grotto.
Commenting on the concept and art work parish priest Salesian Fr Peter Gomes said, “My idea of setting up this grotto in modern creative design and concept was to make it more relevant to the historical apparitions that are approved by the Catholic Church.”
Fr. Gomes, himself an artist sated, “Today, people should not so much rush and pray to Mary because some miracles might happen, but to realize more the fact that Mary still plays a vital role in the life of the Church and families in order to bring people to God and appreciate her intervention in the welfare of the world.”
Muktinagar parish was erected in 2007, when it was bifurcated from the cathedral parish of Krishnagar diocese.
The area of the parish expands 15 km to the south and 10 km to the north, running in parallel to the National Highway 34, Kolkata-Siliguri-Gauhati express way.
The highway has now four lane corridor with a divider, to be able to accommodate more and more traffic flow in future. With this development the Holy Sacrament Parish Church of Muktinagar happens to be in the midst of busy thoroughfare being more exposed to visitors to the Church compound by and by.