By J. Mota, SDB

       Fatumaca, Timor-Leste, 24 May 2022 -- After two years of pandemic, the Marian devotees from different places gathered in Fatumaca to celebrate the solemnity of Mary Help of Christians. It was a great opportunity to go back and to see the national shrine of Mary Help of Christians filled with thousands of people. For this year, the national shrine resumed its spiritual activities of Marian procession and celebration of the Holy Eucharist.

       It was starting to drizzle when the procession was about to begin from the grotto of Our Lady going to the shrine. During the procession, the statue of Our Lady Help of Christians being carried by a different assigned group of people, there were mysteries of the Rosary being prayed and the Marian songs being sung accompanied by the Fatumaca Band. It was so good to see these spiritual activities and there was no rain. After the procession, there was a short break, giving time to the faithful, students, religious sisters and priests to prepare themselves for the Mass. Provincial of TLS Vice-Province, Fr. Apolinário Neto, SDB presided over the Eucharist and was consecrated by thirteen Salesian priests. In his homily, the celebrant drew up his reflection from the Gospel, inviting all to do what has been asked by Our Lady “Do whatever He tells you!” In order to follow this instruction from Our Lady, one must surrender and entrusted oneself to her, feeling her presence and accompaniment in our lifetime and in the most special way during the procession. The homilist recalled how one could imagine that Our Lady had accompanied him/her during the procession and had brought them to her beloved Son, Jesus Christ gathered in the Eucharistic celebration.

       After the Mass, the faithful were given a chance to greet the statue of Our Lady as they expressed their love and devotion to her.

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