A Mother’s Feast, A People United: St. Mary’s Basilica Celebrates the Feast of 2026

The Novena and Feast of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary at St. Mary’s Basilica, Shivajinagar, Bengaluru, concluded with a grand celebration of faith, unity and thanksgiving. For nine days, thousands of devotees gathered at the Basilica in prayer and devotion, leading to the solemn Feast on September 8. The annual celebration, which has long drawn people from different walks of life, once again brought the streets of Shivajinagar alive with prayer, joy and Marian devotion.

A significant moment of the celebrations was the inauguration and blessing of the new projects of the Basilica Annexe. The commemorative plaque records that the projects were solemnly blessed by Most Rev. Dr. Peter Machado, Metropolitan Archbishop of Bangalore, on Tuesday, September 8, 2026, in the presence of Auxiliary Bishops, priests, religious and faithful. The occasion marked another step forward in the growth and service of the historic shrine, placing its future development under God’s blessing.

The grand Chariot Procession was one of the highlights of the feast. Hon’ble Chief Minister of Karnataka Shri D. K. Shivakumar, Minister for Energy Shri K. J. George, Minister for Food and Civil Supplies Shri Rizwan Arshad, and Archbishop Peter Machado graced the occasion. Auxiliary Bishops, priests, religious and a massive gathering of faithful joined the procession.

Before the chariot set out, Archbishop Machado blessed it and expressed gratitude to the Government of Karnataka for its support and cooperation. He thanked the authorities and all those who contributed to the peaceful celebration, emphasising that the Basilica continues to be a place where people come together in faith, friendship and hope.

Addressing the gathering, Shri D. K. Shivakumar spoke of Karnataka’s beautiful tradition of respecting every religion and community. He emphasised that people may follow different faiths, but humanity, equality and mutual respect must unite everyone. His presence added a strong message of harmony to the feast, reflecting the spirit for which the celebration at St. Mary’s Basilica is known.

The chariot then moved through the streets of Shivajinagar, accompanied by prayers, hymns and thousands of devotees seeking the intercession and blessing of Our Lady. The scale of the gathering also reflected the enduring public significance of the feast, which regularly brings very large crowds into the area.

As the chariot returned to the Basilica, the celebrations culminated in Benediction and thanksgiving, entrusting the city, families and all devotees to the loving care of Mother Mary. With hearts filled with gratitude, the faithful witnessed the lowering of the feast flag, bringing the 2026 celebrations to a peaceful close. The flag came down, but the message of the feast remained alive: faith brings us together, Mary leads us to Christ, and humanity unites us all.