September 17th 2023.
On Sunday, thousands of devotees from all faiths flocked to the Basilica of Mount Mary in Bandra, Mumbai to celebrate the end of the eight-day feast honoring the birth of Mother Mary. Among the many devotees was Sumit Pardhe, a resident of Kalayna, who is Hindu by faith.
"We are all connected by our shared humanity," Pardhe said. "I'm here to keep the existence of worship alive, and to pray to God. After this, I'll visit Ganpati, too. God may have called me here."
Marina Tanis, a Goregaon resident, visits the shrine every year. "We get peace in our hearts when we come here," she said. "I prayed to the Mother for my child, too."
The shrine was especially busy on Sunday, as devotees crowded around to catch special buses and to participate in charitable activities, such as distributing free water, food, snacks, and Bibles in English, Hindi, and Marathi. Volunteers distributed stickers with prominent sayings, encouraging people to honor their parents in accordance with the Ten Commandments.
Despite the bustling crowd, however, some street-side stalls reported that overall attendance had dropped in recent years. Pauline Venty, who had a shop selling vax figures, said that people weren't buying the items as much as they used to. But those who offered games were in high demand.
Fr. Sunder Albuquerque, vice rector of the Basilica of Mount Mary, was heartened by the turnout. "Many people from all faiths have come, and there has been a heavy rush since yesterday," he said. "It shows that we can share places of worship between religions, and respect each other more than anything else."
The Mount Mary Fair was a true testament to the power of faith, and the beauty of interfaith respect. Thousands of devotees visited the shrine, seeking blessings and connecting with the divine.
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