By Verghese V Joseph –
Bengaluru: In a message of hope to the Catholic faithful amidst the COVID-10 pandemic, the Archdiocese of Bangalore has made arrangements to stream live the annual festivities at the St Mary’s Basilica and the Novena in Bengaluru’s Shivajinagar area on different online channels, websites and YouTube platform from August 29 to September 8.
Confirming the virtual celebration of one the most grandeur festivities in the city, Most Rev Dr Peter Machado, Archbishop of Bangalore at a Press Meet on Thursday said that the entire festive activities will be telecast live on various social media platforms.
“We have been advised by the government and police to have a low key celebration to avoid crowding of devotees at the shrine and vicinity. As per their directive and as a responsible community, we have decided to live stream all the spiritual programmes spanning nine-day event on social media channels,” Archbishop said.
The Archbishop has appealed to all the faithful to confine to their homes as one family and spend time in prayer, recitation of the Holy Rosary and participate in the holy masses and the adoration. “It is indeed an opportunity for all of us to seek Mother Mary’s interventions to help wipe out the pandemic from the face of the earth. We will be praying very specially for all the devotees and the people of Bengaluru and Karnataka,” he said.
“This year, all the grandeur and fervour of this festival have been snatched away by the COVID-19 pandemic. Undeterred by this pandemic, Bangalore Archdiocese has made alternative arrangements to celebrate the festival spiritually and meaningfully through digital and other social media networks,” he said.
The Novena and the Annual Feast of St. Mary’s Shrine Basilica normally witnessed thousands of people during the nine days of Novena (Flag hoisting day) and lakhs of people on the feast day. The sea of humanity is a sight to behold as people from all faiths joyfully and wholeheartedly participate with utmost devotion and piety in these religious services.
As advised by the government and police authorities, the festivities will be a low-key affair this year to avoid crowding of devotees at the Shrine and vicinity.
Programmes will be telecast on St Mary’s Basilica and Bangalore Archdiocese.
Similarly, the same will also be available on the YouTube channel of Bangalore Archdiocese and app of the Archdiocese. Every day masses will be held at 6:00 am (English), 7:00 am (Kannada), 8:00 am (Tamil), 9:00 am (Konkani) and 10:00 am (Malayalam). A special prayer for the sick will also be held at 11:00 am everyday. Similarly, every day at 5:00 pm Rosary, Litany, Marian reflection in various languages and benediction will be held.