BELLARY, SEP. 06: Hundreds of pilgrims join the annual retreat at the popular Marian Shrine of Bellary Arogya Mathe (Our Lady of Good Health).
Pilgrims from all over the diocese of Bellary, which comprises of the civil districts of Bellary, Koppal and Raichur of Karnataka join the annual retreat organized by the shrine on the occasion of the novena in preparation for the feast of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary on Sep. 8. The three-day retreat is being animated by the Secretary of the Karnataka Regional Commission for Youth, Fr. Franklin D’Souza nd Mr. T. K. George of Shimoga. “Mother Mary is the most precious gift of God to humanity in general and to the Catholic Church in particular. Catholics should appreciate the wonderful gift and foster an abiding devotion to the Blessed Virgin”, urged Fr. Frankiln. “At times, some ill informed Christians appear to misunderstand the devotion to the Blessed Mother. Though they do not succeed in their work, they do succeed in sowing confusion in some minds. However, Catholics should draw closer to the Blessed Mother, who teaches ‘to do the will of Jesus”, affirmed Fr. Franklin. “Catholics do nor worship Mother Mary; they only venerate her, as she is the ‘most favored by the Lord”, he added. The nine day novena begun on Aug. 30 will conclude with the Feast of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary on Sep. 30. The Bellary Mathe Shrine was an initiative of the former Bishop Joseph D’Silva. It was dedicated in 2000, the jubilee year of the birth of Christ.
The Shrine of Bellary Arogya Mathe was blessed and dedicated on 8th September 2000 on the feast of the Nativity of our Blessed Mother Mary in memory of the great jubilee 2000 and the Golden Jubilee of the Diocese of Bellary