Hundreds of Catholic faithful gathered at St. Mary Magdalene Church in Ywa Daw village on July 22 to commemorate the patronal feast day, a celebration that drew clergy, religious sisters, and parishioners from across the Shwebo Pastoral Zone despite ongoing socio-economic and regional challenges.

The feast day Holy Mass was presided over by Fr. Richard Kyaw Myo Hlaing, with the homily delivered by Fr. Augustine Tin Maung Htun, parish priest of St. Michael’s Church in Than Win, Mandalay. During the Mass, 35 young parishioners received the Sacrament of First Holy Communion.

Call for Resilience and Faith

In his homily, Fr. Augustine highlighted the courage and steadfastness of St. Mary Magdalene as an example for believers navigating current hardships.

“Mary Magdalene believed in, loved, and listened to the Lord,” Fr. Augustine said. “When Jesus passed away, the apostles gathered indoors in fear and sorrow, uncertain of what lay ahead. Yet, Mary Magdalene went to the tomb early in the morning without fear.”

He urged the congregation to maintain active faith despite ongoing challenges, emphasizing that perseverance, prayer, and effort are vital to overcoming adversity.

“If we surrender or become disheartened, nothing can be achieved,” he added. “Because of her perseverance, Mary Magdalene was the first to witness the Resurrection. Likewise, if we face our difficulties with faith and determination rather than idle despair, we will prevail.”

A Gathering of Peace and Community Unity

Reflecting on the historical significance of the event, parish priest Fr. David Toe Wai Aung noted that Catholic missionary work in Ywa Taw dates back to 1895 with the arrival of two priests from the Paris Foreign Missions Society (MEP), who named the church after St. Mary Magdalene.

Fr. David expressed gratitude for the large turnout, noting that disruptions from the COVID-19 pandemic and current situation had severely restricted celebrations in recent years to small, local-only gatherings.

“This year was exceptional,” Fr. David stated. “Priests and religious sisters traveled from afar, and over a thousand faithful attended the Mass. Being able to hold the nine-day Novena and the feast day safely and without disruption felt like a special grace.”

Fr. David also commended the strong communal harmony within Ywa Daw village, where a minority population of other religious faiths lives alongside the Catholic majority. “There is no discrimination here,” he said. “Despite religious differences, residents show mutual respect, unity, and shared generosity in community affairs.”

Local Testimonies

Local parishioners and visiting religious shared their reflections on the day’s event, noting a sense of relief and spiritual renewal.

Daw Lwin Lwin, a local parishioner, shared her experience of personal recovery through prayer and regular participation in the parish’s daily Rosary and Eucharistic Adoration devotions, expressing joy at seeing the community gather in large numbers once again.

Sr. Lydia Myint Myint Maw highlighted the spirit of interfaith support, noting that local Buddhist neighbors joined in the festivities. She expressed gratitude for the peaceful celebration of the feast, attributing the calm weather and stable environment during the event to spiritual protection.

By RVA Myanmar Service