By Purushottam Nayak

Berhampur, Nov 29, 2022: Thousands of devotees from eastern Indian state have flocked to the cathedral church of Berhampur diocese in Odisha to celebrate a Marian feast after two years.

The Queen of the Mission feast was suspended because of the Covid-19 restrictions.

The feast concluded on November 27 after a nine-day novena.

The devotees came from Andhra Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Telangana and West Bengal, besides Odisha.

Bishop Sarat Chandra Nayak of Berhampur was the main celebrant of the feast day Mass. Some 60 priests, 50 nuns, about 25,000 faithful attended the Mass.

Bishop Nayak stressed the role of Mother Mary in the Salvation history of humanity.

Mary’s “humble human `yes’ to a divine request, announced to her by the Angel Gabriel that her consent to be the Mother of Our Saviour. Mary’s “Yes” at the Annunciation was remarkable for many things; perhaps the most amazing was that she was so young. Through this yes, the Saviour of the human race entered the world, defeated the death, resurrected and brought salvation to humankind,” the bishop said in his homily.

He urged the gathering to examine with the help of Mother Mary their conscience and acknowledge their sins as they begin the Advent season so that they could receive Christ in a worthy manner.

The festival commemorates the appearance of Mother Mary before Saint Catherine of Labure of France on November 27, 1830, while she was praying in the chapel.

Laboure stated that on July 19, 1830, the eve of the feast of St. Vincent de Paul, she woke up after hearing the voice of a child calling her to the chapel, where she heard the Virgin Mary say to her, “God wishes to charge you with a mission. You will be contradicted, but do not fear, you will have the grace to do what is necessary. Tell your spiritual director all that passes within you. Times are evil in France and in the world.’

On November 27, 1830, Laboure reported that Mary returned to her during evening meditations. She displayed herself inside an oval frame, standing upon a globe and holding a gold ball representing whole world in her hands.

She revealed herself as a mother concerned over the plight of the suffering in the world in general and France in particular. Rays of light came out of her hands represented graces for individuals in the direction of a globe. A plaque summarizes this event. Around the margin of the frame appeared the words “O Mary conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to thee.”

Making of the medal was the mission entrusted to Catherine. Mary also affirmed her closeness to the Double Family of St. Vincent de Paul: the Congregation of the Mission and Daughters of Charity.

The feast in Odisha is known as the candle feast. Devotees holding lighted candles march through the city of Berhampur in the evening. “People witness the atmosphere of peace, serenity and tranquillity in this feast of Queen of the Mission,” said Biju Ponda, a Hindu who supplies tents for the feast day.

The organizers decorated Mother Mary’s statue and carried it on a decorated vehicle during the procession. Devotees sang songs in praise of Mother Mary resulting more reverence, respect, honour and devotion towards Mother Mary, said Father Prabhudas Nayak, the cathedral’s associate parish priest.

Father Sanjib Nayak, the parish priest, said people from all walks of life, irrespective of religion, pay their respects to Mother Mary during the feast

Popita Digal, another devotee, said she was happy to attend the feast after two years. “I have received through Mother Mary several favors,” she added.