Bandel Walk Pilgrimage: in Search of Grace

Marian shrine of Bandel has attracted thousands of pilgrims on this Sunday, 12^th January 2020. The pilgrims progressed in their ‘march’, reaching the Shrine of the Holy Rosary on foot, 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, as well as thanksgiving for favours received. Many leaders including priests and nuns accompanied the pilgrims from respective parishes. The uninterrupted walking pilgrimage of its 66^th year, 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.

Peoples’ expeditions into devotion, brought together thousands of pilgrims to Our Lady of Happy Voyage walking from diverse directions. 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 sunset.

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 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. On arrival, the Prior blessed the pilgrims at the Church gate and received the pilgrims’ Cross at the main altar before the Eucharistic celebration for the weary pilgrims.

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. Sitting tired in the Church for the Eucharistic celebration after a long walk, a young girl expressed: “I grew up without struggles in life, but this stomach-blowing walk from Roghunathpur, Kalyani to Bandel, has made me grow-up a bit strong in spirit, body and mind.  My ‘hunger’ has been met.”

The Bandel Walk experience is only lasting when the external expression coincides with what is internal. As the regular pilgrims move through the pews of their past annual walk memories, their perseverance has a ‘prize’ to offer – grace from God.  As another young pilgrim while limping after a long leg-shivering walk, remarked, “What my heart wanted, it has achieved - Mother Mary has looked upon me.” 

Pilgrimage is an important part of spiritual life for many people. Life itself is a journey, coming from God and returning to God. These pilgrims seek to separate themselves from the everyday concerns of the world, and spend time in the presence of God as they walk all the way to the Church of Bandel. On their return home, nourished by grace, they live their faith better. The over 400 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.

Some 10,000 people including followers of other faiths attended the annual Walk Pilgrimage to Bandel Basilica this year. Number of priests concelebrated Mass and heard confessions. 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.

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

Bandel Shrine: Popular with People of All Faith Communities

Devotees in millions travel from all over India and abroad to Our Lady of Bandel each year. A popular pilgrims’ centre, Our Lady of Bandel draws Muslims, Jains, Sikhs, Buddhists, Catholics and Hindus alike. Nasifa Bibi saddened by a stroke that left her husband paralyzed three years ago paid a visit here as a pilgrim and found Mary’s help, the woman of dialogue and unity among Christians, Muslims, Hindus, etc.  People irrespective of caste and religion, young and old travel to the shrine on foot, by bicycle or in vehicles to pray and intercede with the Blessed Mother for special favours. They light candles, incense sticks and pay homage to the statue of the Mary on the Balcony, with gifts (sarees, ornaments, candles) in keeping with traditions. Thousands of Muslims express their personal devotion to Mary, whom the Quran honours as the mother of Jesus and is revered in the Muslim Scripture.  So do the Hindus. "All religions teach peace and love." Many come and share the miracles in their life with the priests they meet and during the testimony sessions at annual retreats.Some childless couples, with their prayers heard, beget children after many years of their marriage.

Many devotees believe that the miraculous statue of OLB at this sacred location motivates them to come to this religious shrine to honour her. The Annual observance of the Feast of OLB started many years ago is a moment of special grace for many. The festive atmosphere, with other ritual practices popularize their ‘pilgrimage’ to Bandel. The pilgrimage by all sort of people is more than a devotional moment. People from all walks of life reach here amid hot and humid weather to show their gratitude and feel one with the rest of the pilgrims. Many young people, belonging to different religious communities, cycle annually or arrive on foot despite the summer heat from their homes, a journey that may often take them several hours (as far as Krishnagar, Nadia). Several organizations, religious associations reach here during the year (Blue Army, 1^st Sunday of Lenten Procession, Anglo-Indian and Chinese communities pilgrimage, May and November feast of OLB etc.)

With a minimum fee, the Shrine offers board and lodging to Christians who come here with the Parish Priest/Pastor’s letter. Presently, it accommodates about hundred persons at a time in the old monastery rooms attached to the Church on special occasions. Besides, families come on weekend and spend a day or two in prayers. New centre of the pilgrims is being built with enough rooms and halls to cater to these pilgrims in the coming years.

Other events include: daily adoration, pilgrims’ mass, healing prayers, gospel singing, counselling and healing by priests, sharing of testimonies and rosary recitations, retreats (annual and monthly). There are nearly 40 Christian volunteers to manage the pilgrims on special occasions. 

Dialogue among all faiths demands tolerance and it opens new ways. Hopefully in future all Catholics, Hindus, Jain, Sikh, Buddhist and Muslim devotees will join together to celebrate the Marian feasts here at Bandel. God grant all pilgrims from all walks of life, blessings and miracles!

 Boosts of Business or Pilgrimage?

Just outside the Church campus, there are number of stalls selling candles, rosaries, photos of the Holy Family, cross pendants and Christian wooden bracelets to pilgrims. There is a souvenir shop attached to the Church. In front of the Shrine, beside the road, there are other stationary and grocery shops and restaurants as well.  The selection of goods and services include Christian gifts, souvenirs, gospel CDs, toys, clothing, food, beverages and even saloon and tattoo parlour.

Bandel Church, founded and built by the Augustinian priests, had 777 bighas of land offered by the Muslim Emperor Shahajahan for Christians to live and work after seeing a priest Joan da Cruz being miraculously saved before an elephant in Agra ordeal. There is a mela, a religious fair centered around the shrine, that are vibrant during the festive occasions.

The pilgrimage, which is a desired, determined and dedicated journey of ‘souls’ for spiritual growth, is more than a business opportunity. Business continues round the clock in the shops. The pilgrimage benefits everyone.

Beefed-up Security and Challenges

Besides appointing of few policemen for security on certain occasions who collaborate to protect the pilgrims, there are hired guards and volunteers managed by the internal governance of the Shrine. CCTV cameras are installed all around along with floodlights at prominent places. Yet, security remains the biggest challenge. On Christmas Day and New Year, on request there is deployment of additional police around the shrine and it is kept closed for public. Probably, few walk-through gates are needed to be installed at the entrance. Additionally, a mobile phone jammer can be installed in the church compound. Parishes around are offered special instructions for the pilgrimage. Private-owned TV channels have been airing documentaries, instructions and Church events since few years.