Feast of the Holy Rosary at Bandel Basilica

 

The solemn celebration of the Feast of the Holy Rosary was observed at Bandel Basilica on the 9^th  and 10^th of November, 2024, with faithful pilgrims gathering in reverence to honor Our Lady of the Holy Rosary. This annual event, significant for its spiritual depth and community engagement, attracted devotees from various linguistic backgrounds especially from the Parish, from the Aspirantates and from other nearby parishes and villages, who united in prayer and worship.

On Saturday evening at 5 p.m. the Eucharistic celebration was presided over by the Most Rev. Thomas D’Souza, Archbishop of Kolkata, who delivered a heartfelt homily focused on the theme of saying “YES” to God. Reflecting on Mary’s “Fiat” at the Annunciation, the Archbishop encouraged the congregation to embrace a similar openness in their own lives, responding affirmatively to God’s call, extending compassion to those in need, and nurturing personal growth in faith—a journey that begins at Baptism and continues through the reception of each Sacrament. The liturgy was enriched by readings led by members from diverse groups, with the Prayer of the Faithful organized by the Mothers’ Sodality and the Offertory dance procession by the Ferrando hostel  girls.

After the final Mass, a grand Eucharistic procession took place, following an organized route led by seminarians, youth groups, and parishioners, with the Blessed Sacrament and the Archbishop carried on a vehicle surrounded by flower girls. The procession, orderly and reverent, proceeded with pilgrims lining the route through the street, praying the Rosary and singing hymns in devotion setting a reflective tone that was carried into the solemn procession led by the Altar servers with a cross and candles.

Devotees followed in a procession, with the statue of Our Lady of the Holy Rosary honored by the Mothers’ Sodality, lay parishioners, youth group, priests and aspirants from Don Bosco Seminary and other religious sister communities. Special hymns, including “Khristo Debota,” were sung as part of the worship, creating a vibrant and unifying experience for all present. The Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament marked a solemn moment for attendees, who were moved by the prayerful atmosphere created by the Eucharistic celebration. In his  inspirational talk before the final benediction, Fr. Roshan Tirkey SJ, emphasized on Mary being our Mother, given to us through St. John at Calvary, and that as her good sons and daughters, we respect her as our closest dear Mother. Mrs. Agnes James, a Sunday Catechist, expressed heartfelt gratitude in a vote of thanks, recognizing the efforts of volunteers, religious sisters, and parish groups who made the event a spiritual success.

Sunday’s liturgical program on 10^th November included Masses in Hindi, Bengali, and English, reflecting the multicultural and multilingual composition of the congregation. The first service at 6:30 a.m. was conducted in Hindi, followed by Bengali Mass at 9:00 a.m., presided over by the Arch Bishop, wherein 16 boys and girls received the First Communion. The Prelate spoke of the gift of life of God  which is given to each Christian through the Eucharist, is to be lived through self-giving. There was an English Mass at 11:00 a.m.

The Feast of the Holy Rosary at Bandel Basilica was a deeply moving experience for all, inspired by Mary’s own faith, Fiat and surrender. The two-day event concluded with a final hymn dedicated to Our Lady, and all the attendees left with renewed faith and a sense of community solidarity.

The over-422 years old Bandel Shrine distinctively contributes to the spiritual growth of the ‘pilgrims’. Built in 1599 by the Portuguese, the Bandel Church dedicated to Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary, holds the miraculous statue of Our Lady of Happy Voyage, which has become the ‘faith-focus’ for the faithful and the pilgrims.

 

Bandel Walk Pilgrimage: in Search of Sacramentals or Sacraments!

 

The Marian shrine of Bandel Basilica has attracted thousands of pilgrims who flocked in on Sunday, 15^th January 2023 from 8.30 a.m. onwards. The pilgrims progressed in their ‘march’, reaching the Shrine of the Holy Rosary on foot, tired and torn with blisters, solely in search of grace. Thousands of pilgrims including men-women, young people and children started their walk from different starting points in Nadia, Hooghly, Howrah, Kolkata, 24 Paraganas, many  walking over 40 km distance bare foot as penance, promise and pilgrimage, while thanking God through Mary for favours received. Many lay leaders accompanied the pilgrims from their respective parishes. Clergy and the nuns were absent from such walk except one priest. The walking pilgrimage of its 67^th year, usually held on second Sunday of January, has been a traditional practice for many people from these neighbouring districts, organized by the Catholic Association of Bengal. Additionally, pilgrims from Kalyani Parish (Nadia) completed their 25^th Walk Pilgrimage this year. Bandel Walk was interrupted for the past two years due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Peoples’ expeditions into popular devotions, preferring sacramental to sacraments, brought together thousands of pilgrims to the mantle of Our Lady of Happy Voyage. Those from South 24 Paraganas, Kolkata and Howrah began their walk after attending the usual early Mass at Happy Voyage Church, Howrah. The pilgrims carrying the cross walked down the Grand Trunk Road towards Bally bridge where they were joined by other pilgrims, walking through old colonial townships of Serampore, Chandernagore, Chinsurah along Hooghly river, before they reached the Basilica by 6.25 p.m.

The attraction towards Our Lady of Bandel, sends spirit-filled grace to many young and old to take up the ‘radical challenge’ to walk the way exploring individual and group devotions, with prayers and songs carrying with them candles, flowers and incense. With the decline of the elderly joining in the walk, the young generations have taken up the challenging tradition of old. They all come in search of the Mother who awaits eagerly her children. The statue of Our Lady of Happy Voyage eventually ‘lifts’ them up to her (many kneeling their way up the stairs!) for blessings and graces from above. Unlike other pilgrimages this one includes a well dedicated community effort with voluntary services from respective parishes with their banners, to ‘walk the faith’ as a ‘family’ under Mary’s mantle.

It emphasizes each one’s quest to express concretely his/her devotion. While many ‘walks’ to pay homage to Mary, saints and martyrs, are managed by Church authorities, this one is one of the laity, and by the laity. On arrival, right from 11 a.m., few Priests from Bandel Basilica blessed the pilgrims at the Church gate and received the pilgrims’ Cross late in the evening, and placed it before the main altar, before the Eucharistic celebration for the weary pilgrims. It was an appalling scene to see how the faithful struggled, stretched and rushed to touch the Cross for blessings! It proved a sacramental devotion, noisy though! Precisely observing so, the Prior in his homily expressed his ‘worry’ whether Catholic faith depended on sacramental (“rushing to touch the Cross” or on Sacraments (“approaching the Confessional”). While speaking of Mary’s trusted flight with the child Jesus to unknown Egypt, he questioned: “How many of us today would have the courage to manifest our faith in this manner…. With the faith that the Blessed Mother had?”

Often, the ‘adventurous’ open-minded fellow ‘pilgrims’ in their maiden efforts venture into the sacred spheres of their lives either invited or challenged by friends and relatives, or by mere chance. For some youth it meant a challenging adventure. Sitting tired in the Church for the Eucharistic celebration after a long walk, a young lady expressed: “I made this stomach-blowing walk from Bally (Howrah), in order to grow a bit strong in spirit, body and mind.” As the regular pilgrims moved through the pews of their past annual walk memories, their perseverance had a ‘prize’ to offer – grace from God.  As another young pilgrim while limping after a long leg-shivering walk, remarked, “I made this long walk to show my love for Mother Mary who has looked upon my family.” 

Thousands of pilgrims including followers of other faiths attended the annual Walk Pilgrimage to Bandel Basilica this year. Three priests concelebrated Mass and two others heard confessions. These pilgrims sought to separate themselves from the everyday concerns of the world, and spent time in the presence of God. On their return home, nourished by grace, they wish to live their faith better. The over-422 years old Bandel Shrine distinctively contributes to the spiritual growth of the ‘pilgrims’, whose ruminations will certainly sanctity their deep desire for that which is mysteriously Supreme. Built in 1599 by the Portuguese who set up their colony in Hooghly in the 16^th century, the Bandel Church holds the miraculous statue of Our Lady of Happy Voyage, which has become the ‘faith-focus’ for these pilgrims of Bengal and beyond.

BANDEL BASILICA: A PILGRIMAGE CENTRE FORCED TO REINVENT ITSELF

 

The second phase pandemic since April 2021, once again, prevents pilgrims from visiting this Marian shrine of Our Lady of the Holy Rosary and that of the miraculous statue of Our Lady of Happy Voyage at Bandel. Though Bandel Church remains closed to the pilgrims and visitors, it had opened its door allowing Christian families from parishes and other dioceses to visit the Church since January 2021. Due to the present Covid-19 pandemic situation, it has been closed once again for all outsiders.

Following the lockdown (March 2020), after the outbreak of COVID-19, pilgrims have not yet begun to return en masse to this great shrines. Many parish pilgrimage initiatives have come to a sudden halt. Some groups have cancelled or postponed their pilgrimage schedule.  The ongoing pandemic makes it difficult to organize even family pilgrimage. And this is not likely to change for a while.  With some exceptions, 2020 has been a blank year, and 2021 also seems to be so.  While many pilgrims are disappointed, there is also the loss of revenue for the shrine.

Many letters from the faithful informed the shrine that this uncertain situation have augmented their disappointment.  There has been terrible loss of income for the shrine as well. Unfortunately, unlike the government aided Madrasas, the Christian pilgrimage centres are not helped out with government subsidies. While paying the salaries to the 50 staff members, it will be difficult to recover the money spent on the shrine’s maintenance. The services that employed staff are forced to resort to, due to the lockdown, cannot be reduced to part-time either.

The shrine’s management team is trying to continue some sort of activity, for the Christian folk, especially through live-streaming of religious services. While the proposed prayer settings and free virtual pilgrimages can be had, one cannot call them in-presence prayers or pilgrimages. Virtual pilgrimages (e-pilgrimage), are not the same as pilgrimage in real time and space.

Besides, the pilgrims don't have a good grasp of digital tools and videoconferencing.  The priests responsible, use Whatsapp to send pic-text messages as a spiritual aid. Besides such digital initiatives, local pilgrimages (local churches, grottos, religious sites) can be organized. People can walk to isolated places of prayer, following the Covid-19 protocols. Certainly, necessary temporary changes are needed in the coming future, at the expense of the deprivation of major pilgrimages. While desire to visit Bandel for a pilgrimage be as strong as ever, we need to invent a new look at the way we perform pilgrimage and prayers. Now is the time to expand and improve family prayers, prayed together at home in order to ‘rediscover the original freshness of the joy of loving.’

 

Consecration OR Entrustment to Mary?

   “Consecrating” a province, confreres, community or individual member to Mary under her various titles, seeking her protection of the vulnerable, healing of the unwell, and for those who work to cure people from the present pandemic virus, is theologically problematic and controversial. Louis Grignon the Montfort is one of the great masters of the spirituality underlying the act of "consecration to Mary". He “proposed to the faithful consecration to Jesus through Mary, as an effective way of living out their baptismal commitment” (Redemptoris Mater 48).

 Many Popes favoured the pious practice of "consecration to the Blessed Virgin Mary" and the formulas publicly used by them are well known.[1] The term "consecration" is used here in a broad and non-technical sense.[2] Pope John Paul II increasingly replaced the term ‘consecration’ with ‘entrustment’, which he did, for example, after the attempt on his life on May 13, 1981 - Feast of Our Lady of Fatima. And the Pontifical International Marian Academy pointed out this important shift in 2005. During his visit to Fatima in 2017, Pope Francis confirmed this shift during his prayer before the statue of the Virgin Mary when he said: “I entrust myself to you. In union with my brothers and sisters, through you, I consecrate myself to God.”[3]

 The Latin term ‘consecratio’ is reserved “for those self-offerings which have God as their object, and which are characterized by totality and perpetuity, which are guaranteed by the Church’s intervention and have as their basis the sacraments of baptism and confirmation”.[4] We cannot consecrate ourselves to Mary. Post Second Vatican Council change in vision, based on “liturgical theology and the consequent rigorous use of terminology” the Church has made an explicit distinction between “worship”, the object of which is God alone, and “veneration”, which can be shown to Mary and other recognized saints.[5] The Council said veneration of Mary “differs essentially from the cult of adoration which is offered equally” to the three Persons of the Trinity “and is most favourable to this adoration” (Lumen gentium, 66). Within Catholic theology and devotional practices a consecration to Jesus through Mary is only a “praise” to the mother of Christ “for the great things” God has done to her (Lk 1: 46-55). Therefore, we need to make distinction between Mary as a creature and God as Creator. Such ‘entrustment’ must be expressed in a correct liturgical manner: to the Father, through Christ in the Holy Spirit, imploring the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary, to whom we entrust ourselves.[6]

  

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[1] Cf. Atto di affidamento alla Beata Vergine Maria pronounced by John Paul II on Sunday, 8 October 2000, together with the Bishops gathered in Rome for the celebration of the Great Jubilee.[2] Cf. Congregation for Divine Worship, Guidelines and proposals for the celebration of the Marian Year, n.86; Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments, Directory on Popular Piety and The Liturgy Principles And Guidelines, Vatican City, December 2001, n. 204.

[3] Prayer of His Holiness Pope Francis, Pilgrimage of His Holiness Pope Francis to the Shrine of Our Lady of Fatima, 12-13 May 2017, http://w2.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/prayers/documents/papa-francesco_ preghiere_20170512_fatima.html, 2.8..2020

[4] Cf. Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments, op.cit., n. 204.

[5] Cf. Hendro Munsterman, Why are bishops still "consecrating" their countries to Mary, in Best of La Croix International 2020, Understanding Your Church, La Croix International 2020, p.41

[6] Cf. Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments, op.cit., n. 204.

 

SHRINES UNDER SPIRITUAL SCANNING

-         Pope Francis' decision to appoint Bishops as head of the Marian shrines at Lourdes, Fatima, Medjogueri has caused a stir and appeared to contradict the governance of the local dioceses. Upset by the excessive importance placed on finance and profit in the management of the shrine, local people (pilgrims and businessmen) are now hopeful of a new approach.[1] Andrea Tornielli, editorial director for the Dicastery for Communication, says: "Pope Francis wants the spiritual primacy to be put forward in relation to the temptation to overemphasize aspects related to management or finance." Often for shrines, money seemed to have become 'an obsession'.

In order to meet the expense of the shrines’ maintenance and its expansion, often professional, rigorous, and shrewd management skills and policies are used. The increase in the pilgrims' tax by way of inflating the price-cost of visiting, lodging and buying of souvenirs have been at the forefront of the grievances of people.[2]  Proper actions are needed to clean up the shrine's finances.[3]

Similarly, the Bishop-envoy to Medjugorje “has the aim of acquiring a deeper knowledge of the pastoral situation there and above all, of the needs of the faithful who go there in pilgrimage, and on the basis of this, to suggest possible pastoral initiatives for the future.”  According to Francis, “The real Madonna is the one who generates Jesus in our hearts, a Mother [...] The superstar Virgin Mary, who seeks the limelight, ‘is not Catholic.’”[4] In April 2016, shortly before the publication of the Pope’s apostolic exhortation on the synods, Amoris Laetitia, he warned of a “pseudo-merciful” attitude in the Church today, deriving from a mentality of “political correctness” which avoids uncomfortable truths.

In the word of Gabriele Amorth, an exorcist, shrines are meant to “bring the world back to God,” from a “cultural world without God.” And as Hans Urs von Balthasar says, there can be danger of ignoring the effect of shrines: “that people will pass it by!”[5] The fruits of pilgrimage to the Shrines are tangible, evident. One observes “graces of conversion, graces of a life of supernatural faith, of vocations, of healings, of a rediscovering of the sacraments, of confession.” They do not mislead. (Medjugorje Gebetsakion, 50; Stella Maris, 343, pp. 19, 20).

In April 1991, the bishops of the former Yugoslavia determined that “on the basis of the research that has been done, it is not possible to state that there were apparitions or supernatural revelations.” On the basis of those findings the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith directed in October 2013 that clerics and the faithful “are not permitted to participate in meetings, conferences or public celebrations during which the credibility of such 'apparitions' would be taken for granted.” expected to complete his role at Medjugorje by the summer.[6]

Marian devotion has flourished in Marian Shrines as in Bandel. Multitudes arrive there. It is therefore, a place where veneration will continue, since Our Lady can be venerated everywhere, especially in those locations where this veneration is so fruitful, as we hear it has been from so many testimonies. For example, every year the shrine is visited by nearly 2 million pilgrims from India and abroad. It has become a charismatic place. The fact that the Marian shrine at Bandel is visited by so many faithful, who are no doubt spiritually enriched here, is something to be borne in mind. We need to guarantee a stable and continuous accompaniment of the parish community, the faithful and others who arrive in pilgrimage, whose demands require special attention.

Here are few ways for growing in faith through pilgrimages to the shrines:
Through the practice of the sacraments, conversions, change of life, Eucharistic celebration, Rosary, Eucharistic adoration, fasting and penance the shrines can encourage the development of faith of the faithful. Besides, regular and pastoral reception of the thousands of pilgrims coming to along with organizing pastoral care, in agreement and harmony with the ecclesiastical hierarchy on the ground, and a call to improve the reception can bring about spiritual growth in them. By supplementing the structure of the hierarchy on the ground, initiatives can be better coordinated and thus make it more effective.

The biggest sacramental contribution can be the Confession, through which thousands of pilgrims can be ‘converted’. There is no magic wand for this; this spiritual-sacramental benefit cannot be denied. The Marian pilgrimage centre, Bandel Church, with millions arriving each year to climb the stairs that ascend to the balcony, where the miraculous statue of Our Lady of Happy Voyage is located, continues to draw people to their faith and grow in it. The charism of each shrine is prayer. Here, the mission is a matter of “people’s needs,” emphasizing on the pastoral life, liturgy, catechesis, sacraments and the experience of devotion. Our mission is the truth - Jesus. Each shrine, therefore, is committed to finding and proclaiming the truth. And we know that Jesus Christ is the way, the truth, and the life.

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[1] Pope Francis' decision on June 6 to appoint the Auxiliary Bishop of Lille as apostolic delegate for the shrine surprised everyone in Lourdes, including those who contested the change of direction taken by the shrine under Bishop Nicolas Brouwet of Tarbes et Lourdes. Cf. Gauthier Vaillant, Pope's intervention over Lourdes Marian shrine cheers locals, Bishop appointed to oversee pastoral care amid discontent over austere management of finances, https://international.la-croix.com/news/popes-intervention-over-lourdes-marian-shrine-cheers-locals/10774?utm_source=Newsletter&utm_medium=e-mail&utm_content=06-09-2019&utm_campaign=newsletter_crx_lci&PMID=e0bf16242f5244d5ecc2158ed0e57693, 7.9.2019

[2] A year ago, the shrine of Lourdes took over the candles - only those purchased locally are compatible with the burners installed in front of the pools. It had installed credit card payment terminals for candles.

[3] The investigation of the certain doctrinal and disciplinary aspects of the alleged Marian apparitions at Medjugorje that continue regularly, according to the shrine’s six “seers”, is still “under study”. In fact, the local hierarchy has sought to discourage the “Medjugorje phenomenon” which prompted the Vatican to carry out its own investigation.

[4] Edward Pentin, Pope Francis Appoints Polish Archbishop to Be Special Envoy to Medjugorje, http://www.ncregister.com/blog/edward-pentin/pope-francis-appoints-polish-archbishop-to-be-special-envoy-to-medjugorje, 26.9.2019.

[5] Pope Francis Appoints Special Envoy to Medjugorje, Archbishop Henryk Hoser, http://medjugorjeca.org/interview-of-cardinal-schonborn-of-vienna/ 26.9.2019 

[6] Vatican appoints pastoral envoy to Medjugorje, February 11, 2017, http://www.catholicworldreport.com/...-appoints-pastoral-envoy-to-medjugorje-99955/, 27.9.2019