“Along with you I am also a pilgrim at St. Mary’s Basilica”- Archbishop Peter Machado

Bangalore, August 30, 2019 -The celebrations towards the Nativity of Blessed Virgin Mary (September 8) started off with the flag hoisting by his grace Archbishop Peter Machado. Thousands of pilgrims gathered in all the adjacent roads near St. Mary’s Basilica Church, Shivaji Nagar to witness the moment and raise their prayers to Mary as the flag was raised.

The prelate paid a visit to the Blessed Sacrament inside the Church to pray a while after which visiting the shrine chapel he lighted the candles to Mother Mary and offered rose petals. Addressing the crowds, “I am also a pilgrim along with you. Just like how the family gathers around the Mother we gather to prepare ourselves celebrate the Birthday of our Heavenly Mother”. He pleaded the pilgrims to reach out to the flood victims of Karnataka who have lost their homes with all the relief materials that they can afford by way of food grains, new clothes and food grains.

At the ceremony the archbishop released 2020 Basilican calendar. Before the ceremony he also addressed the media to highlight the significance of the St Mary’s Basilica to the city of Bangalore.