By : Purushottam Nayak.

Berhampur: Tens of thousands of Christians congregated on November 27 at the Queen of Mission Cathedral Parish at Berhampur, in the eastern Indian state of Odisha, to show respect, honor and devotion to Mother Mary.

The faithful came from different parts of the country to celebrate the Feast of the Queen of the Mission.

For people of other faiths, the Feast is also known as the Candle Feast.

Christians, including a large number of laity, priests and nuns, from Odisha, Andhra Pradesh, Telengana, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal and Chhattisgarh states gathered in the historic shrine to be blessed by God through the Queen Mary, Mother of Jesus.

Most Rev. Sarat Chandra Nayak, Bishop of Berhampur was the main celebrant at the Feast. He emphasized the role of Mother Mary in the Salvation history of humanity. He also highlighted the significance of the season of Advent, as November 27 was the first Sunday of Advent.

Hundreds of people participated in the candle procession across the city. Faithful prayed rosary by singing with great faith, and holding lighted candles in the evening.  

The significance of the festival was that Mother Mary had appeared several times to Saint Catherine. On November 27, 1830 as she was praying in the chapel, Holy Virgin appeared.

Our Lady gave St. Catherine Laboure a mission that would cause her great suffering. She was told you will overcome all these difficulties, discouragements and trials. To take heart, all is for the Immaculate, all for the glory of God.

Our mission is the mission of the Church, which is the mission of Christ to draw all people to Him,” said Fr. Praful Nayak, the parish priest of the Queen of Mission.

Mother Mary gives everyone the responsibility like that of Saint Catherine Laboure to proclaim peace and harmony Fr. Nayak said.

The Queen of the Mission Cathedral is the only Church in the country dedicated to Queen Mary.

Many Christians across the country come here and to have a darshan of Mother, and to be blessed, said Fr. Dushmonth one of the concelebrants.

“I have come here to have glimpse of Mother Mary who is queen of Heaven, and health of sick, who can plead her Son for my spiritual need,” said Parvati, a Mother from Andhra Pradesh.

The Candle Festival was followed by the nine day Novena. Priests from different parishes are assigned to lead the novena, said Msgr. Sarat.