102nd Annual Feast of Gunadala Mary Matha takes off in Vijayawada
Vijayawada: Nine days of novena prayers marking 102 yearsAnd The Annual Mary Matha Festival at Gunadala Temple began in Vijayawada on Saturday amidst devotion and grandeur. The significance of the event lies in the fact that the Gunadala Mary Matha Temple is the second largest Catholic pilgrimage center in South India.
Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Vijayawada, Reverend Bishop Telagatoti Joseph Raja Rao, Monsignor Reverend Father Muvvala Prasad, Vicar General Reverend Father Meshapam Gabriel, Rector of the Temple, Reverend Father Yeleti William Jayaraju Swamy, inaugurated the solemn celebrations with the hoisting of the Holy Flag of Our Lady at the main basilica in the presence of other diocesan priests, sisters, clergy and other diocesan priests. secular.
Addressing the faithful, Bishop Joseph Raja Rao described the Gunadala Temple as a Pinnacle of Faith attracting devotees from across India. He maintained that the Virgin Mary continues to be revered as the Spiritual Mother. “Those who honor him will surely receive the grace of God,” he underlined.
Emphasizing the importance of Marian devotion, the Bishop noted that through the intercessory prayers of Our Lady of Lourdes, the faithful can bring themselves closer to God. He noted that Mary was chosen as the Mother of God to carry on the divine mission of salvation.
Muvvala Prasad and Jayaraju Swamy urge devotees to join 102And Eid celebrations with discipline and dedication from February 9th to February 11th every year. Meanwhile, nine days of novena prayers to be held at the Lourdes Grotto on the hill will prepare pilgrims spiritually for the great festivities.
Following the opening, a solemn candlelight procession carrying the Holy Eucharist, led by Bishop Joseph Raja Rao and senior clergy, proceeded from the main church to the hilltop grotto.
