Briston Britto sdb
AHMEDNAGAR, OCTOBER 25, 2011: On October 22, 2011, St. Anne's Parish, Ahmednagar celebrated the annual feast of Our Blessed Mother. During the Marian month of October there are many parish which celebrate their Parish Yatra. St. Anne's Ahmednagar Yatra is one of the three Salesian parishes. It draws a lot of devotees from Ahmednagar city and neighbouring villages. Various priests from in and around Ahmednagar preached for the masses based on different themes. On the feast day the statue of Our Blessed Mother was draped in a colourful sari and taken in procession near the grotto where it was kept for veneration. The grotto was decked with marigolds. On the eve of the Yatra, the rosary was sung followed by the Holy Eucharist. Twelve celebrants accompanied by a prayer dance troop walked towards the stage where the Eucharist was celebrated.
Fr. Bhausaheb Sansare, Jesuit Provincial - Pune Province, was the principal celebrant. Being a native from here, his appointment as a Provincial in a very short span of time, was appreciated by the people. During the homily, he stressed on family values and nurturing. After the Eucharist, felicitations for the honoured guests followed with a festive dinner for all the priests and the sisters who had come for the Yatra. A cultural program followed with praise and worship conducted by a dedicated team of musicians of St. Anne's Parish. It was possible to put up a great show under the guidance of the Parish team and the members of different groups present in the parish.
Fr. Thomas D'Costa, Parish Priest of St. Anne's Parish shared, "Still Mother Mary draws lots of her devotees and well-wishers to her in spite of opposing influence in the vicinity. She also is the intercessor for the people of other faiths. I say this with all my experience."