Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Yangon (Fides Service) - Three days of national Marian celebrations brought over 40,000 people to the Marian Shrine of Nyaunglebin, in the diocese of Yangon. The celebrations were presided by Archbishop Charles Maung Bo of Yangon. The faithful came from all over the country to pray to Our Lady of Lourdes venerated at Nyaunglebin shrine in the diocese of Yangoon and celebrated every year on 11 February. Besides Catholics the feast day draws other Christians, and growing numbers of Buddhists, Hindus and Muslims.
During Mass on 11 February commenting Pope Benedict XVI’s 2007 Message for Peace titled “The Human Person, the Heart of Peace”, Archbishop Bo urged every child, adolescent, youth, adult, poor or rich, of whatever social condition, ethnic origin or religious belief- to help promote peace. Quoting the Pope he said: “To build peace it is important to guarantee every person the right to life and religious freedom” and underlined: “Here in our country we are free to assembly and worship God in public. But difficulties remain in some areas. We must continue to dialogue with the local authorities”. Archbishop Bo greeted and thanked all the visitors who come to pray at the Shrine.
The feast of Our Lady of Lourdes has been celebrated in Myanmar since 1892, when Bishop Ambrose Bigandet decided to open a new mission at a Nyaunglebin, entrusting it to Fr Michael Mignon a member of the Paris Foreign Mission Society who built a wooden church, the first in Myanmar, and dedicated it to Our Lady of Lourdes. The church was replaced by a new one in 1902. But the church was shelled and partly destroyed during the Japanese occupation in World War II and celebrations were suspended. They resumed in 1948 and in 1957 the Feast of Our Lady of Lourdes on 11th February was made a national feast-day. (PA) (Agenzia Fides 14/2/2007 righe 26 parole 268)
