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"Mary, the First Missionary, Inspires Our Journey of Faith and Mission" – Archbishop Peter Machado


Bangalore, October 2024 - The Marian Convention 2024, held at Our Lady of Lourdes Church, Halasuru, began with a spirit of deep devotion and reverence, bringing together the faithful to honor the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Mother of Missions. Addressing the gathering, Most Rev. Dr. Peter Machado, the Archbishop of Bangalore, extended a warm welcome to all, encouraging them to embrace the convention’s prayerful journey. “To Jesus through Mary,” he said, echoing the words of St. John Paul II, “She gently leads us all closer to her Son, our Savior.” The Marian Convention included moments of praise, powerful preaching, the celebration of the Holy Eucharist, the recitation of the Rosary, and Eucharistic Adoration—all aimed at deepening devotion to the Blessed Mother.


As the Church marks Mission Month, the Archbishop emphasized the global reach of Bangalore’s mission efforts. “We are proud of the many priests, nuns, and lay missionaries from Bangalore serving in Africa, South America, China, Russia, and Vietnam,” he noted, urging the faithful to support the missions through prayer and action. “We are all called to be missionaries,” the Archbishop reminded the congregation, emphasizing that while not everyone is sent abroad, everyone can evangelize in their own homes, neighborhoods, and communities. Mary, the Mother of Missions, serves as a powerful example, as she accompanies and guides her children in their mission to bring others closer to Christ.


The convention continued with vibrant praise and worship by Fr. Hadlee and Group, followed by an inspiring sermons through which the faithful were spiritually nourished by powerful preaching in multiple languages. Fr. Vijay Jaunet delivered an inspiring message in Kannada, emphasizing the connection between devotion to Mary and the call to mission: “Through Mary, we learn the value of total surrender to God’s will. Her example is a reminder that we too are sent to proclaim the Good News.”



Fr. Jude, preaching in Tamil, focused on Mary’s role as a companion on the journey of faith. “Just as she walked with Jesus from Bethlehem to Calvary, Mary walks with us, guiding and supporting us in our missionary endeavors.”




Fr. Joseph Abraham, preaching in English, drew attention to Mary’s humility and obedience as the foundation of her missionary spirit. “Mary’s life is a testimony of saying ‘yes’ to God without hesitation. She teaches us to follow Christ with trust, even when the path is uncertain,” he shared, calling on the faithful to be open to the missionary work that God calls them to in their daily lives.


The convention proceeded with a solemn Holy Eucharist presided over by Auxiliary Bishop Rt. Rev. Arokiaraj Satis Kumar. In his homily, Bishop Arokiaraj reflected on Mary’s pivotal role in the mission of the Church, stating, “Mary’s ‘yes’ to God made her the first missionary. She invites us all to say ‘yes’ to our mission, to bring Christ to the world.” He led the congregation in prayer, especially for all missionaries serving around the world, asking for Mary’s intercession to guide and protect them.


Following the Eucharistic celebration, Rt. Rev. Joseph Susainathan led the Adoration and Benediction, where the faithful knelt in reverence before the Blessed Sacrament. During this time, Bishop Susainathan highlighted the importance of Mary’s intercessory power. “As the Mother of Missions, Mary brings our prayers to Jesus. She advocates for us, especially in our missionary efforts,” he shared, encouraging the attendees to place their intentions and missionary aspirations into Mary’s hands.


The day was filled with moments of deep reflection, prayer, and adoration. The Eucharistic celebrations, powerful preaching, and fervent prayers offered for the success of missions worldwide resonated deeply with the participants.


Organized with precision by Fr. Maria Louis and his team, the event ran seamlessly, allowing the faithful to experience the convention’s spiritual richness. Reflecting on the success of the convention, Fr. Maria Louis commented, “This gathering has been a testament to the strong Marian devotion in our Archdiocese. Through Mary’s example, we are reminded of our call to be missionary disciples.”


As the Marian Convention 2024 drew to a close, the faithful left with hearts renewed, encouraged to live out their mission with the Blessed Virgin Mary as their constant guide and intercessor. The event was a powerful reminder of Mary’s role in the life of the Church, especially during Mission Month, as she continues to lead her children closer to Christ.

 

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