More than 1,000 Catholics gathered at St. Columban Cathedral in Myitkyina Diocese on September 8 to celebrate the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary and the feast of Our Lady of Good Health, Velankanni, marking the conclusion of an 11-day novena of prayer and devotion.

Bishop John Mung Ngawn La Sam of Myitkyina presided over the solemn Mass, held at 4:00 p.m. at the cathedral in Aung Nan Quarter. He was joined by Msgr. Peter Hka Awng Tu, parish priest of St. Columban Cathedral, along with eight priests, religious sisters and brothers, boarding students, and faithful from different communities.

Before the Mass, the faithful gathered in prayer, reciting the Rosary and the Velankanni Novena as an expression of their devotion and trust in the Blessed Virgin Mary.

‘Offer Mary Your Best Gift’

At the beginning of the celebration, Bishop La Sam invited the faithful to consider what kind of birthday gift they could offer Mary.

“Today is the birthday of our Mother Mary, so let each of us offer her our best gift,” he said. “The gift she desires most is that we follow the will of her Son and live our lives in faith.”

In his homily, Bishop La Sam described the birth of Mary as being like a peaceful and beautiful dawn that brought hope and light into the world.

Reflecting on Mary’s parents, Saints Joachim and Anne, the bishop noted their long years of prayer, patience, and hope before the birth of their daughter. Their experience, he said, is also a reminder that every child is a precious gift from God.

Mary’s Humble Life Points to God’s Greater Plan

The bishop particularly highlighted Mary’s simplicity and humility. Although she lived a quiet and ordinary life, God entrusted her with an extraordinary role in the history of salvation.

“Mary lived simply and humbly, but she fulfilled one of the greatest missions,” Bishop La Sam said. “She brought Jesus Christ, our Savior, into the world.”

He encouraged the faithful to imitate Mary’s faith, humility, and obedience to God, saying that the most meaningful gift they could offer her on her birthday was to follow the will of Jesus Christ.

Marian Procession Fills the Streets with Prayer

Following the Mass, the celebration continued with a Marian procession through the streets surrounding the cathedral. Faithful from different communities carried decorated statues of the Blessed Virgin Mary and Marian flags while praying the Rosary and singing hymns in her honor.

At the end of the procession, Bishop La Sam accompanied the faithful while carrying the Blessed Sacrament, blessing the people along the procession route before returning to the cathedral compound.

The celebration concluded with Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament. The Marian flag that had been raised at the beginning of the Velankanni Novena was then lowered, formally marking the conclusion of the days of prayer.

As part of the festive gathering, participants also took part in the traditional breaking of coconuts, while donors provided milk and sticky rice for the faithful to share after the religious ceremonies.

Eleven Days of Prayer and Devotion

The Novena to Our Lady of Good Health, Velankanni, began on August 29 at St. Columban Cathedral. For 11 consecutive days, the faithful gathered each evening at 4:30 p.m. for the Rosary, novena prayers, and Holy Mass.

The devotion concluded on September 8, the day on which the Catholic Church celebrates the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

The annual celebration offered Catholics in Myitkyina an opportunity not only to honor the Mother of Jesus but also to renew their commitment to imitate her faith, humility, and willingness to accept God’s will in their daily lives.

The devotion to Our Lady of Good Health, Velankanni, has its origins in India, where Mary is believed to have appeared to a sick child and a lame boy in the 16th and 17th centuries. The feast has become widely celebrated among Catholic communities throughout Asia, including Myanmar.

By RVA Lisu Service