Province of Bengaluru – ST THOMAS MOUNT MGA LENTEN PILGRIMARE

By: Dionigi Taffarello
On: 6 April 2022

“ If you do not take risk for God, you do nothing great for him.” – St Louis de Montfort.

Members of MGA, St Thomas Mount ( Montfort ITI & Montfort School) made a Lenten Pilgrimage to Mazhai Malai Madha church at Acharapakkam along with the brothers of the community on Sat, 26th March 2022. In total 57 of us made the pilgrimage. We began with a prayer and thereafter boarded the bus at 8.00 am for an 85 km long journey. We offered the Rosary, Litany to our Blessed mother & devotional hymns throughout our journey.

We reached the Shrine of Mazhai Malai Madha by 10.15 am and headed to the hill steps to do our Way of the Cross. A team of MGA Members animated the Way of the Cross with very meaningful reflections, prayers & hymns. We came down the hill for Holy Mass at 11.30 am during which we offered up our thanksgiving, petitions & intentions and solemnly participated in the Eucharistic celebration.

At 12.45 pm we left Acharapakkam & went to an Orphanage situated about 30 minutes away from the church with 30 inmates comprising of a mix of normal children & children with special needs. The school management had sponsored a day’s meal for them.

We were welcomed with so much of love & gratitude, which overwhelmed all of us. The simplicity & innocence moved us to tears. Some of us served them the lunch & spent some time with them. We greatly appreciate Ms Indira who is in charge of the home & the dedicated staff for their unconditional love & sincerity in taking care of the children under their care.

As a return gift we were all given a bag of organic red rice which is harvested by them. We left the home with a heavy heart, but at the same time inspired & encouraged to do whatever we could to support them in the days to come. We had a sumptuous lunch on our way back. We reached school at 5.00 pm with a lot of happiness, gratification and fond memories.

We express our sincere thanks to our Principal Rev. Bro. K.K. Thomas, our Bursar Rev. Bro. Sebastian & Rev. Bro. Jeyabalan for organizing and giving us this opportunity to have a fulfilling Lenten Pilgrimage. Through the intercession of our Blessed Mother Mary & the guidance of our Patron St Montfort we seek the grace, mercy and blessing of our dear Saviour Jesus Christ and be part of his Passion and make a heartfelt pious practice during this season of lent.

Mrs. Monica D’Souza MGA-President – Montfort School, St Thomas Mount.