Rosary recited from Nashik shrine to end the pandemic
by Nirmala Carvalho

The end of May was marked by prayers streamed live from the Shrine of the Infant Jesus in the Indian state of Maharashtra. “It is the feast of the visitation of Mary to Elizabeth to  share the good news that she (Mary) was to be the mother of Jesus,” said Chaplain Fr Errol Fernandes.

 


Mumbai (AsiaNews) – At the Shrine of the Child Jesus in Nashik, in the Indian state of Maharashtra, the Rosary prayer was recited today to “heal our beloved world”.

The initiative, set for 7 pm local time as part of Pope Francis’s May prayer marathon to end the pandemic, was streamed live on the shrine’s YouTube channel.

Nashik usually brings together people of all faiths and many miracles and graces have been obtained by those who invoked the Divine Child.

“Please join our Shrine of Infant Jesus community Virtually in praying the Rosary for the healing of the world on Monday at 7:00 p.m.,” writes the shrine’s chaplain, Jesuit Father Errol Fernandes, in his social media message.

“It is the feast of the visitation of Mary to Elizabeth to  share the good news that she (Mary) was to be the mother of Jesus.

“We pray that Mary will share with us the good news that through her intercession, our world is being healed and restored to goodness and ‘Godness’.”

Believers were invited to send petitions, comments and prayers in the chat section of the YouTube channel. “Rest assured that our blessed mother will always intercede,” adds Fr Fernandes.

Fr Errol served as vice principal of Mumbai’s prestigious St. Xavier's College. During the pandemic he held several webinars, and also followed COVID-19 patients virtually.

Recently, he administered virtually the Sacrament of Reconciliation and the Last Sacraments to a patient who was on a ventilator.

The latter died the next day but was at peace and so was his family, who were grateful that their loved one was not alone at the time of his death from COVID-19.