Families converge on Madhu Marian shrine

(August 14, 2010) Hundreds of thousands of pilgrims are expected to visit the shrine for the Feast of the Assumption on August 15. An estimated 400,000 pilgrims are taking part in this year’s pilgrimage to the Madhu Marian Shrine in northern Sri Lanka. The religious observance, organized by the Church’s National Laity Commission, started on August 6 in Mannar diocese and concludes on the Feast of the Assumption on August 15. The family is the focus for this year’s celebration and the aim is to bring together families from different ethnic groups. Sri Lankan bishops’ laity commission chairperson Bishop Winston S. Fernando of Badulla told Catholic media that he is worried about the economic, social, cultural and political situation in the country is impacting families. He said he hopes the week-long Madhu program would strengthen families by helping them to identify challenges and by bringing people back to the Gospel. Talks and discussions on family-related issues will take place in both Tamil and Sinhalese languages, said Father Sebalamai Anthony, who works at the shrine. Fifty thousand people have already arrived at the venue, he said. Women have prepared food and packed clothes and tents for children to take with them on their trip to the shrine, which is situated in a jungle. Church workers have cleared the vegetation at the site to facilitate camping by pilgrims. Water and electricity are supplied. The government has also removed military barriers on the highway to Madhu and arranged special trains and buses to operate throughout the celebration.