By Alphonsa Ohol for BIS Mumbai

The Parish community of Sacred Heart Church, Yerwada, came together in deep faith and devotion to celebrate the Feast of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary on September 8, 2025.

The preparation for the feast began with a nine-day novena, where different priests were invited to preside over the Eucharist and preach on varied themes. Each day the faithful gathered in large numbers, joining wholeheartedly in the prayers, hymns, and reflections that helped them deepen their love for Mother Mary.

The theme on the day of the feast was “Mary Our Hope.” The celebration commenced with a graceful prayer dance by the school students, which set the tone for a solemn and joyous Eucharistic celebration. The Holy Mass was presided over by the main celebrant, Fr Michael Gaikwad, son of the soil and Salesian Missionary in Cambodia, along with Fr Michael Fernandes, the Parish Priest, and Fr Glen Fernandes as concelebrants. It was a bilingual Mass, enriched by the choir whose melodious hymns in honor of Mother Mary filled the church with devotion.

In his homily, Fr Michael Fernandes emphasized that Mary is not only the Mother of Jesus but also our Mother, who constantly intercedes for us. He reminded the faithful that true devotion lies in imitating her humility, faith, and obedience to God’s will. He shared an inspiring story of a woman whose daughter had been suffering from a serious illness. Guided by faith, she prayed in the first chapel she came across, and after months of trust and prayer, her daughter was miraculously healed. This, he said, was not magic but the fruit of deep faith and Mary’s intercession. He encouraged all to entrust their lives to Mary, who lovingly leads us to Jesus.

During the Mass, offerings were made as a sign of gratitude to God and to support the parish. At the end, Fr Fernandes thanked everyone for their generous contributions and especially appreciated the Strikers Group for their tireless service throughout the novena.

After the Eucharist, a solemn procession was held. The faithful, holding candles, prayed the Rosary and recited the Litany as the statue of Mother Mary was carried. This was followed by the lowering of the festal flag and the hymn Ave Maria. A heartfelt birthday song for Mama Mary added joy to the occasion.

The large gathering reflected the community’s deep love for Mary. The celebration concluded with a fellowship meal, leaving the faithful spiritually renewed and strengthened in their devotion to Mary, our Mother of Hope.