Ave maria: A visit to Velankanni and a casual chat with devotees

Our Lady of Velankanni Church is a historical Catholic Church, which is the most popular Church among Christians and non Christians in India. In any given day, you can witness people from all faith come to this Church to pray for their needs. Ever since Mother Mary appeared to  a Hindu boy, to minister among Hindus and Christians of that region, the intercession of Mary for all those who come to this shrine is phenomenal. I am personally attached to this church, I call this Shrine as my Mother's house. I always visit Our Lady of Velankanni, when ever, I travel to India. Even my travel is for 10 days, among those 10 days, I would like to spend 1 day in the shrine. You can witness the enormous faith of the people expressed in a simple way all around this Church. It is always inspiring, inviting, ans uplifting, even if you decide to spend just few hours in this shrine. This particular year( 2013), I  was blessed to visited Velankanni twice, as I traveled to India twice. Every time I visit Mother in this shrine, I return with lots of motivation and assurances on my prayers. Velankanni Church has been a special blessing for our family. My husband, who is a convert Catholic for 30 years, who lost his mother at his tender age of three,  finds his motherly comfort and love in Our Lady of Velankanni's intercession. He calls Velankanni Church as his mother's house. Such an intimate experience, this church can provide, if one visit the Church with prayers and with the intentions of hope, faith, and prayer.

In a given day, one can witness people from near and far come to the church with their prayers and intercessions. It is interesting to observe that people who belong to various faith including Islam, Hinduism, Sikh, and Christians from all denominations visiting this Church with prayers. Last year, me and my husband had an opportunity to talk to a group of people, who were orthodox hindus, visiting Our Lady of Velankanni Church. They were on the way to their home from the annual travel to Iyyapan temple.We were curious to explore the experiences of their visit to this Christian Church, as they were orthodox Hindus. They said, they visit many temples during their visit to Iyyapan temple, however, their spiritual journey gets fulfilled only after visiting Our Lady of Velankanni. Every year during their spiritual travel, they routinely visit Our Lady of Velankanni Shrine, without fail. What a statement from Hindus! Multitudes of Hindu families visit this shrine with intercessions and thanksgiving. Mother God becomes the Mother of all!

Today, in fact, in real time now, as I am typing, the flag hoisting function is celebrated at Velankanni in full glory. I had a special request from one of my blog readers to post Velankanni Matha novenas for next nine days. With that reader, I also would like to lift my prayers turning towards Velankanni, looking east. Flag hoisting is a tradition in church festivals in India. Usually, major festivals are celebrated for 10 days with 10 days novena beginning with flag hoisting. I wonder at the meaning of flag hoisting in church functions. The dictionary meaning of hoisting is lifting, highlighting, opening, and to raise  a sign. As true to the meaning, lifting the flag signifies the lifting of our prayers and intercessions. Highlighting of the flag signifies the highlighting of our faith through proclamation. Flag hoisting signifies the opening of the festival. Flag hoisting also serve as a sign of hope, joy, and celebration among the faithful. Above all, it brings an official declaration of any festival. During flag hoisting, multitudes of people unite their hearts, minds, thoughts, and prayers with the flag, and raise them with the flag through their novenas to our Lord. Flag hoisting also gives an opportunity to rejuvenate the faith, as we witness people of God's faith during festivals.Multitudes assembled in Velankanni, witnessing flag hoisting as I am writing this. Gathered people mouth open in praise with the prayer stating Ave Maria, a declaration of human salvation. Each one of them gathered, is a sign of God's miracle in their lives; is a sign of thanksgiving for intercessions; is a sign of intercession; is a sign of hope, is a sign of faith, is a sign of charity; is a sign of peace; is a sign of victory; is a sign of taking refuge at Lord's feet; is a sign of seeking God; is a sign of good will; is a sign of human trust in God; is a sign of God's faithfulness in answering human prayers; is a sign of God's presence among us. Thus flag hoisting rejuvenate faith with a glory of festivity.

Our Lady of Velankanni Pray for us!