Referring to the devotion to Mary, Pope Francis said, “It is not a spiritual etiquette, but a requirement of a Christian life.” On 15th August 2018, on the feast of Assumption of our Lady to heaven, we the Sisters of Auxilium Bandra began our Marian month. This was an apt day, to begin with, for it was a da, where we celebrated Mary’s heavenly glory.
A meaningful prayer moment helped us to show our love and devotion to Mary. The theme was based on the words Mary whispered at the wedding feast of Cana to the servants and now to each one of us that is “Do whatever He tells and inspires you”. Throughout the month, we as a community celebrated our journey with Mary with various animation of the liturgy. Each sister in the community took turns to animate Rosary by praying it in different ways thus helping each one of us to increase our devotion to Mary.
The Novenas in honour of Our Lady of the Mount in Bandra were the days of celebration and joy. We visited the Basilica every day there was tremendous joy within us, as we saw devotees from the city of Mumbai and its surroundings as well as pilgrims from different parts of the country and the world visiting this Basilica of Mount Mary to honour Mary and to seek her intercession. Each day of the Novena we reflected on the aspect of how Mary lived the call to holiness and we drew inspiration from the document, “ Gaudete Et Exsultate” the Apostolic Exhortation of Pope Francis.
The feast day of the Nativity of Mary brought immense joy as the Sisters of Pali Hill, Bandra, MYC-Wadala and Auxilium Wadala joined us in the morning and together we went to Mount Mary to partake in the Eucharistic celebration, spend few moments in the Basilica and this was followed by festive breakfast in our house.
Our Marian month concluded on 15th September 2018. We had a meaningful service thanking Mary for all the blessings and graces that we have received through her intercession. The Marian Nite which contained the different types of games conducted by our sisters for the community helped each one to know about Our Lady a little more. It was indeed a joyous moment and with a grateful heart, we ended our journey reminding each other Mary’s Words, “Do whatever He tells and inspires you”.