Amidst tight security, the Mariamabad pilgrimage draws to an end
Mariamabad (AsiaNews) – Tens of thousands fervent pilgrims left the National Marian Shrine of Mariamabad, 80 km from the Western city of Lahore after the three day Annual Marian pilgrimage to the Virgin “Mother of the oppressed”. For the first time in 50 years of history, the government installed electric gates at the entrance of the shrine for security of the shrine and pilgrims. 1,000 Punjab Police personnel were also deployed at the shrine and at different routs.
After the Red Mosque Saga of Islamabad in July, Pakistan has imposed strict laws on all huge gatherings, but crowds packed Mariamabad for the 58th Annual Pilgrimage and the tight security failed to ruin the festive atmosphere.
James Masih, 40, father of three children, reached the shrine after a 12 hours ride on his bicycle from Sialkot in the North. Masih lined up in long queue waiting for his turn so he could touch the feet of Mary himself, telling AsiaNews, “I believe that going to shrine and touching Mary’s statue is like personal meeting with Virgin Mary, I am here to thank her and ask for grace”. In fact James’ daughter is blind: “I have taken my daughter to many hospitals and doctors but in vain and as Mary has answered my prayers in past, I am sure she will hear them now too”.
Muhammad Sohail, 21, is a factory worker from Faisalabad. Sohail is a Muslim yet this was his second visit to Marian Shrine: “I don’t know much about the shrine but it is also very famous among Muslims for its miracles because prayers of Muslims are answered here too”. Soahil is sure of what he says, because a colleague of his was cured “thanks to Mary”.
The pilgrimage to “Mary’s village” began in 1949, when a Belgian capuchin who was later martyred, Fr Frank, first brought a group of 900 faithful to the sanctuary. Over time the number of pilgrims visiting the Marian sanctuary each year has risen to now number tens of thousands. June 23 1974, Msgr. Armando Trindade – then bishop of Lahore – created the commission currently in charge of organising the pilgrimage.
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