Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Yangon (Agenzia Fides) - “This has been a great manifestation of the faith of the people, where once again I have been able to witness the genuine and profound Eucharistic and Marian devotion of the faithful, who have come from all over the country, making great sacrifices to be able to come to the National Marian Sanctuary named after the Virgin of Lourdes.” This is what Bishop Salvatore Pennacchio, Apostolic Delegate in Myanmar, told Agenzia Fides after having participated in the national pilgrimage made by Birman Catholics to the Sanctuary of Nyaunglebin. “This year, the pilgrimage has been special as it has coincided with the jubilee celebration of 150 years since the apparitions of the Virgin in Lourdes. You could say that the two sanctuaries - Lourdes and Nyaunglebin - are united from a distance by a strong spiritual bond that unites the Marian devotion,” Bishop Pennachio explained.
The celebrations, which have been attended by over 50,000 faithful, have been a moment of great joy and strong testimony for the Catholic community in Myanmar. There was also a celebration of the Sanctuary’s founding 106 years ago by missionaries from the Foreign Missions of Paris (MEP). Six priests were newly ordained and will perform their ministry at the service of the Archdiocese of Yangon. The Mass with the ordination, on February 9, began the day. It was attended by thousands of faithful from all over the country who came to express their Marian devotion. The celebration was presided by Bishop Pennachio and among the concelebrants was Archbishop Charles Maung Bo, Archbishop of Yangon and other Bishops of Myanmar.
Bishop Pennachio invited the new priests to be “messengers of peace and love,” to proclaim the Good News of God’s love and to serve the community like the “good Samaritan.” The Apostolic Delegate also reminded them of the importance of the pilgrimage in the life of a priest.
In the afternoon, there was a solemn Marian procession through the city’s streets , lead by Archbishop Bo, together with the other Bishops, priests, religious, and over 30,000 lay faithful who prayed the Rosary and sang Marian hymns. The local people, the majority of which are Buddhist, showed great honour and respect for the intense manifestation of faith made by the Catholic community.
At 10:30pm, the day concluded with a Mass in honour of Our Lady of Lourdes, presided by Archbishop Paul Zightung, Archbishop of Mandalay. In his homily, Archbishop Bo told the faithful to trust in God’s Providence, not to be discouraged by the poverty nor the difficulties that the people live each day, and to pray for Mary’s intercession. (PA) (Agenzia Fides 13/2/2008 righe 35, parole 433)
