In a letter approved by Pope Francis on August 1, Cardinal Victor Manuel Fernández, prefect of the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith, emphasized the ongoing recognition of the Holy Spirit's work at Tamil Nadu's Vailankanni Marian Shrine due to its numerous spiritual fruits.
Ahead of the feast of Our Lady of Health at Vailankanni, India, the cardinal expressed the Pope's gratitude for the shrine and highlighted the spiritual benefits experienced by pilgrims, including non-Christians. Millions of pilgrims visit the shrine annually with devotion.
This letter, addressed to Bishop-elect Sagayaraj Thamburaj of Tanjore, was approved by Pope Francis.
The shrine will commemorate Our Lady of Health's feast day on September 8. Vailankanni has been a center of devotion since the sixteenth century.
Cardinal Fernández highlighted, "Many non-Christian pilgrims seeking solace echo similar experiences. Many find calm and optimism, and others are cured of their afflictions. Without a doubt, the Holy Spirit utilizes Mary's intercession to respond to them."
He stated that this "should not be considered as a form of syncretism or mixing of religions. The Sanctuary is a place where the closeness of Mary, who welcomes everyone and demonstrates the love of the Lord to those who reflect on it, is manifested. Those who cannot receive the sacraments of the Catholic Church are not denied the consolation of the Mother of Jesus.”
During his August 1 papal audience, Cardinal Fernández said that Pope Francis acknowledged the spiritual richness of this place of faith.
He said, “The Holy Father cares a lot about the popular piety of the faithful pilgrims because they reflect the beauty of the Church on the move which seeks Jesus in the arms of Mary and entrusts its pain and hope to the heart of His Mother.”
The Cardinal stated that Pope Francis has shown "great appreciation" for this sanctuary of faith.
He said the Pope blessed all pilgrims with his paternal blessing in advance of the celebrations at the Vailankanni Shrine in September.
The first recorded story of the Virgin Mary in Vailankanni is that she asked a young boy delivering milk to offer it to the child she was carrying. The boy agreed, but when he reached his customer, the milk was still in his container.
Cardinal Fernández stated, "This was an expression of the generosity of those who are willing to give something to others, even in their own poverty. You do not need to have much in order to be generous. May this call to share, to assist, to be close to those who need us always resonate in this place. Mary loved the generosity of her children.”
He noted that “in 2002, Saint John Paul II chose this place for the celebration of the World Day of the Sick. Thus, the same Virgin Mary who manifested herself at Lourdes also manifested herself in India as the Mother of Health.”
Cardinal Fernández added, "It is not just an issue of bodily health but also one that concerns the soul. Contemplating the image of Mary we can all recognize the love of Jesus Christ that can heal our sadness, our anguish, and our fears. If we pause before Mary, even in a brief moment of faith and love, her maternal gaze restores peace to us."- With input from Vatican News
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