By BIS Correspondent for BIS Mumbai

Kawant, September 14, 2025 – The Feast of Sahayak Mata was celebrated with great devotion and joy at Sahayak Mata Parish, Kawant. The celebration was graced by Archbishop Thomas Macwan, Archbishop of the Archdiocese of Gandhinagar, along with priests, pastors, sevaks, and faithful from different denominations across Chhotaudepur district, Gujarat.

The preparation for the feast began with a Novena, where daily Eucharistic celebrations were animated by parish groups and priests. The central theme, “Mary: The Pilgrim of Hope”, guided the reflections. Each homily highlighted how Mary, through her life, embodied hope and inspired the faithful to trust in God.

On the eve of the feast, a Mahabhajan drew past pupils, parishioners, and devotees. Many of the faithful received the sacrament of reconciliation during this time of prayer and spiritual preparation. Afterward, the youth took up the task of decorating the parish hall and preparing the premises for the solemn day.

The Feast Day began at 4 a.m. with parishioners joyfully gathering to cook for the celebration. It was a true spirit of family and community, as everyone contributed food items, ingredients, and their time to prepare a festive meal.

At 11 a.m., the grand procession commenced from Nikol Bhavan, Dominican Convent, Kawant. Archbishop Macwan garlanded the statue of Our Lady and blessed the faithful with holy water. The procession, led by altar servers, traditional Rathwi dancers, and drummers, made its way to the Don Bosco Campus and Sahayak Mata Church. More than 1,000 devotees joined in prayerful song and the recitation of the Rosary, honoring the Blessed Mother.

The Solemn Eucharist was presided over by Archbishop Macwan and concelebrated by priests from neighboring communities. In his homily, the Archbishop expressed his joy at being part of the feast. Quoting from Scripture, he encouraged the faithful with words of hope, reminding them that “Our Lord is alive and active, and He never lets us down.” During the offertory, parishioners offered the first fruits of their fields, symbolizing gratitude and trust in God’s providence.

Following the Eucharist, a felicitation ceremony was held. Various parish groups honored the Archbishop, while two senior Salesians—Br Jerome Mendonca SDB, and Br Damodar Vankhede SDB—were specially recognized by the Archbishop for their dedicated service in the Gujarat region. The nuns, pastors, and sevaks of different denominations were also felicitated, highlighting the spirit of unity and collaboration.

Fr Mayank Parmar SDB, Parish Priest, expressed heartfelt gratitude in his vote of thanks. He acknowledged the Archbishop, clergy, religious, parishioners, and collaborators for making the celebration vibrant, united, and truly familial.

The feast concluded with a sumptuous community meal, joyfully prepared by the parishioners and shared by all. The day ended on a note of thanksgiving, fellowship, and renewed faith, with everyone departing strengthened in hope and devotion to Our Lady, the Help of Christians.