The most popular Marian pilgrimage held at the Mary, Queen of Fatima, Shrine at St. Leo’s Church in Mymensingh diocese in Bangladesh's northeastern Sherpur district focused on the theme of the Synod.
The pilgrimage with the theme "Fatima Rani Ma Maria in communion, participation, and mission" was held on October 27.
In a video message, Bishop Paul Ponen Kubi of Mymensingh diocese assured the pilgrims that "in this synodal year, we are journeying all together with Mother Mary, and She is with us on our pilgrimage today. So, I thanked all of you for expressing our Synodality with the Church, devotion, faith, respect, prayer, and love to our Mother Mary."
Father Torun T. Bonowary, the parish priest of St. Leo’s Church, shared that the pilgrims prayed for "peace, unity, and harmony in the world, especially for our country, through the intercession of Fatima Rani Ma Maria."
In his homily, Father Thomas Mankhin emphasized the "deep faith and trust" that the pilgrims had.
"In our daily lives, we have received many blessings and graces from Mother Mary. So, let us thank Our Mother Mary for all the graces that we received in our lives," Father Mankhin added.
Sumi Rozario, a devotee, shared: "Every year I join this Marian pilgrimage because I love my Mother Mary because I received many blessings through Her. I feel inner joy and peace in my heart and mind."
Mymensingh Diocese, which has over 83,500 primarily ethnic indigenous Catholics, covers the shrine in the Garo Hills, close to the Indian border. It is about 200 kilometers northeast of the capital, Dhaka.
The Diocese of Mymensingh has under its jurisdiction the civil districts of Jamalpur, Kishoreganj, Netrakona, Sherpur, Tangail, and Sunamgonj.
The Baromari Mariam pilgrimage is one of the most popular in Bangladesh. The other two pilgrimages are to the St. Anthony of Padua shrine in Nagari, Gazipur district in Dhaka, and Our Lady of Lourdes in Diang, Chittagong district.
Every year, the activity attracts thousands of people who join in a candle-lit prayer of the rosary, reflections, adoration of the Holy Eucharist, Stations of the Cross on the hill slope, and a Holy Mass.
According to pilgrimage committee reports, this year's Marian pilgrimage was attended by over 50,000 people, including more than 100 priests, 2 deacons, and many nuns from different congregations in Bangladesh.
The shrine in Baromari was inaugurated in 1997 in response to Pope John Paul II's call for "pilgrimages of faith" leading up to the anniversary of Jesus Christ's birth in 2000.
Many Muslims and Hindus also come to the gathering to offer gifts. - Nikhil Gomes
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