About a thousand people, Catholics and others, celebrated the Virgin of Guadalupe in Sri Lanka (photos)

by Melani Manel Perera

Celebrations began on 9 December with a "chain rosary", ending on the 12th with a blessing. The faithful included a group of pilgrims who travelled by train. After decorating their carriages, they sang Christmas carols and recited the rosary during the trip.

Colombo (AsiaNews) – Around a thousand devotees, Catholics and others, celebrated the Virgin of Guadalupe in Sri Lanka.

The faithful came from every diocese to Karikattiya, near Puttalam (western Sri Lanka), to pay homage to Our Lady and thank her for the gifts they received through her intercession.

The celebrations began on 9 December with a "chain rosary" that lasted until 12 December, the feast day of Our Lady of Guadalupe.

After the recitation of the rosary, those present received the blessing from pastor Fr Amal Raaj.

The liturgical celebration followed, officiated by Fr Amal himself and Fr Mervyn Vincent. During the homily, the latter said that he went to the Virgin to ask her to bless his priesthood.

"I asked Our Lady of Guadalupe to guide me and bless me, so that I can be a good priest," Fr Mervyn said.

"Mary was a simple woman,” he explained, “but she has shown great power with which she was able to overcome all the problems and suffering that she endured.”

“We have to ask the Virgin to grant our requests and grant us mercy and guidance to reach the Kingdom of God," he added.

The faithful included a group of pilgrims who came by train. They chose to participate in an unusual way.

As soon as the train left Colombo’s Fort station at dawn, they gathered in two carriages, which they decorated, and filled the trip singing Christmas carols and reciting the rosary.

At the end of the celebration, the pilgrims got back on the train and went home.

One of them, Ms Alan, spoke to AsiaNews. As she got off the train at Kapuwatta, near Colombo, she said, "We are sure that Our Lady will also bless us next year."