<p>The annual feast of the Nativity of Blessed Virgin Mary was inaugurated at the St Mary’s Basilica in Shivajinagar on Tuesday evening.</p>.<p>Thousands of devotees from all over the state attended the ceremony. Archbishop Reverend Dr Bernard Moras inaugurated the nine-day Novena which will lead to the St Mary’s Feast on September 8.</p>.<p>“Lakhs of people come here, irrespective of their caste, creed and religion to take the blessings of Mother Mary. People even come here on foot because here they will be touched and healed by Mother Mary,” the Archbishop said while addressing the gathering.</p>.<p>Devotees, old and young, even sick and disabled, attended the prayers and waited expectantly for the flag hoisting.</p>.<p>The archbishop conducted prayers before the statue of Mother Mary, who was draped in a blue saree and Baby Jesus in her arms was also dressed in blue. During the feast, the attire is changed several times a day since many devotees bring clothes as gifts. The archbishop addressed the gathering in Tamil, Kannada and English after which sermons were delivered in these languages.</p>.<p>Bengaluru Development Minister K J George was the chief guest on the occasion.“We cannot do anything without the blessings of God. We have the responsibility to take care of people who are in need. Let us pray for the Lord’s blessings. The Anna Bhagya scheme has helped many people,” George said.</p>
<p>The annual feast of the Nativity of Blessed Virgin Mary was inaugurated at the St Mary’s Basilica in Shivajinagar on Tuesday evening.</p>.<p>Thousands of devotees from all over the state attended the ceremony. Archbishop Reverend Dr Bernard Moras inaugurated the nine-day Novena which will lead to the St Mary’s Feast on September 8.</p>.<p>“Lakhs of people come here, irrespective of their caste, creed and religion to take the blessings of Mother Mary. People even come here on foot because here they will be touched and healed by Mother Mary,” the Archbishop said while addressing the gathering.</p>.<p>Devotees, old and young, even sick and disabled, attended the prayers and waited expectantly for the flag hoisting.</p>.<p>The archbishop conducted prayers before the statue of Mother Mary, who was draped in a blue saree and Baby Jesus in her arms was also dressed in blue. During the feast, the attire is changed several times a day since many devotees bring clothes as gifts. The archbishop addressed the gathering in Tamil, Kannada and English after which sermons were delivered in these languages.</p>.<p>Bengaluru Development Minister K J George was the chief guest on the occasion.“We cannot do anything without the blessings of God. We have the responsibility to take care of people who are in need. Let us pray for the Lord’s blessings. The Anna Bhagya scheme has helped many people,” George said.</p>
