Catholic faithful from across the region gathered in Chan Thar Kone Village, Paleik Township, in Mandalay Archdiocese, on October 26, 2026, to celebrate the Feast of Our Lady of the Rosary and mark the official inauguration of a newly constructed pilgrimage hall.

The celebration began at 8:00 a.m. with a Holy Mass presided over by Msgr. Peter Sein Hlaing Oo. Located within the Archdiocese of Mandalay, Chan Thar Kone is one of central Myanmar’s prominent Catholic pilgrimage sites. The feast drew clergy, religious sisters, novices, and lay faithful who gathered for prayer and Marian devotion.

New Hall Welcomes Pilgrims

Benefactor U Myint Wai and the Shwe Nga Family donated the newly constructed Our Lady of the Rosary Hall to accommodate the growing number of pilgrims visiting the shrine. The facility provides shelter and a place to rest for visiting groups and retreatants.

Speaking at the inauguration, U Myint Wai said his support for Church initiatives over the past 35 years has been motivated by his personal faith and gratitude for the blessings he has received.

“This hall was donated so that pilgrims and organizations visiting Our Lady can rest comfortably,” he said.

He also expressed appreciation to the parish priest, local faithful, and internally displaced persons (IDPs) whose contributions helped complete the project in a short period.

“I want to thank the parish priest, the local faithful, and the internally displaced persons here whose labor contributed greatly to completing this hall so fast,” he added.

Father John Eudes Aung Kyaw Khaing, parish priest of Chan Thar Kone, expressed gratitude to the donors, volunteers, choir members, and others who helped organize the feast and prepare for the novena. He also acknowledged the benefactor family for providing meals to pilgrims throughout the celebration.

‘Our Mother Listened and Obeyed’

During the Eucharistic celebration, Father William Phyo Wai delivered a homily highlighting the Blessed Virgin Mary’s faithfulness to God and encouraging the faithful to follow her example in their daily lives.

“Our Mother listened to and obeyed God’s word without fail throughout her life,” Father William said. “Because she lived in union with God’s grace, her choices were always right. God invites us every day to live as His true children, uniting our daily decisions with His grace even when facing difficulty.”

His reflection encouraged the faithful to deepen their relationship with God and remain faithful in their daily decisions, particularly amid hardship and uncertainty.

A Source of Hope and Comfort

For many pilgrims, the annual feast provided an opportunity to seek spiritual consolation, healing, and peace amid ongoing difficulties and regional instability.

Agatha Daw Wa Wa Maw, from Ywa Taw, spoke of the anxiety her family faces as she and her children remain separated in different places.

“We live with constant anxiety and worry about what might happen next, and my children and I are currently separated in different places,” she said. “I pray to Our Mother that we can be reunited one day, and that we may live safely and in good health under her protection.”

Daw Yu Yu said praying the Rosary helps her find ways to face life’s challenges.

“Whenever I face hardship and pray the Rosary, ways to overcome those challenges become clear,” she said. “It may not happen instantaneously, but praying gives us the wisdom to navigate our problems.”

Rose Mary Phyu Phyu Kyaw also described the peace she experiences when praying at the shrine, saying that reciting the Rosary after arriving brings her a sense of relief from her worries. She added that she continues to pray for her brother, who works far from home, trusting that Our Lady hears their prayers.

For U Ye Aung, a resident of Chan Thar Kone Village, the pilgrimage site has become an important place of prayer over the years.

“I have been coming here to pray for several years, and my health has improved significantly,” he said. “We are immensely grateful to have such a holy pilgrimage site right here in our local area.”

A Place of Encounter and Hope

The celebration concluded with renewed expressions of faith and gratitude, as pilgrims entrusted their personal and family concerns to the intercession of Our Lady of the Rosary. The inauguration of the new hall also marked an important contribution to welcoming pilgrims and strengthening the local Catholic community.

For the faithful of central Myanmar, Chan Thar Kone remains a place where heaven meets earth—where the weary find rest, the anxious find peace, and the separated find hope. Under the mantle of Our Lady of the Rosary, they continue to journey in faith, trusting that their Mother hears every prayer and holds every tear.

By RVA Myanmar Service