Thousands of Catholic faithful gathered at the Parish Center of Santa Maria in the Diocese of Pekhon on August 15, 2026, to celebrate the Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

Bishop Felice Bahtoo presided over the solemn Thanksgiving Mass, accompanied by 27 priests. Thousands of devotees jubilantly gathered together to honor Mother Mary on this significant feast day.

In his remarkable introduction, Bishop Felice proclaimed that “God loves us so much even unto giving us His only Mother to be ours.” He invited all Marian devotees to join their prayers with Mary and pray for the peace of their country through her intercession.

Homily on Hope and Healing

In the homily, Rev. Fr. Joachim Kino exhorted the devotees “to be the light of Hope, as Mary is for humankind, especially in these critical dark eras.”

Reflecting on the current situation of the broken world, he insisted that Faith, Hope, Love, Forgiveness, and Reconciliation are the urgent healing instruments needed for humankind and for the world we live in.

He invited all the faithful to imitate Mary, our mother, and to become “another Marian” in the world we live in. The call to embody Mary’s virtues resonated deeply with the congregation gathered to honor her.

Faith Amid Rain and Challenges

A priest who participated in the Feast expressed wonder while seeing the love shown to Mary by the devotees. Though it was raining, they joyfully gave thanks to God and honored Mary ceaselessly from the beginning to the end. The devotion remained undimmed despite the weather, a testament to the deep faith of the Marian devotees.

One devotee expressed that “truly Mary is my Hope, and Refuge.” She explained that through the intercession and help of Mary, she could rise up from despair and helplessness while going through the difficulties in life. Her testimony reflected the deep trust that many faithful place in the maternal care of the Blessed Virgin.

A Day of Joy and Fellowship

After the sending out, all the faithful shared a communion meal as a memory of Mother Mary’s love. The fellowship meal brought together the thousands of devotees in a spirit of unity and gratitude.

The celebration of the Assumption in Pekhon was a powerful expression of Marian devotion in Myanmar. Despite the challenges facing the country, the faithful gathered in large numbers to honor Mary, seeking her intercession for peace and healing.

The Feast of the Assumption serves as a reminder of the hope that Mary offers to all believers. As the patroness of Myanmar, her maternal care continues to inspire and sustain the Catholic faithful throughout the country.

By RVA Kayan Service