Thousands of Marian devotees gathered at Partamaha in Kandhamal district of eastern India’s Odisha state to celebrate the 31st Marian Feast on March 5, in a remarkable expression of faith and devotion. The celebration took place at the new mission center under the jurisdiction of Our Lady of Holy Rosary Parish in the Archdiocese of Cuttack-Bhubaneswar.
Archbishop John Barwa, SVD, who presided over the feast Mass, prayed for peace in a world troubled by war and conflict.
“Lord Jesus, Prince of Peace, look upon our restless world. Bring peace where there is war, hope where there is fear, and love where there is hatred. Guide the leaders of nations and protect all people,” the archbishop prayed during the liturgy.
The Marian shrine, located about 250 kilometers southwest of Bhubaneswar, the capital of Odisha, was established in 1994 following a reported Marian apparition to a Hindu woman.
In his message, Archbishop Barwa urged the faithful to seek the intercession of Mother Mary for peace in the Middle East and other conflict-affected regions of the world.
“The Holy Rosary is a powerful prayer through which we can ask God for peace and harmony in the world,” he said, encouraging the faithful to follow Mary’s example of humility, obedience, and complete surrender to God.
According to Brajabandhu Nayak, a member of the feast organizing committee, around 20,000 pilgrims, including 57 priests and 47 nuns, attended the celebration.
During the Mass, Bishop Rabindra Ranasingh of the Archdiocese of Cuttack-Bhubaneswar recalled the origins of the shrine.
“Mother Mary appeared during a time of difficulty,” he said, referring to the reported apparition to a Hindu woman named Komoladevi, who was later baptized as Agnes by the late Fr. Alphonse Baliarsingh, former vicar general of the archdiocese.
According to local accounts, Komoladevi experienced three apparitions on March 5, 1994, while collecting firewood in a forest area.
During the Mass, a young devotee, Mamata Sing, led a prayer for peace.
“Heavenly Father, we come before you as we live in a troubled world. When we hear news of war, violence, and injustice, our hearts are afraid and saddened. Bless the leaders of nations with wisdom and humility so that they may work for peace and justice,” she prayed.
Fr. Karunakara Digal, parish priest of Our Lady of Holy Rosary Parish in Daringbadi, said the growing number of pilgrims reflects deep faith among the people.
“The large gathering of pilgrims shows the people’s faith in Jesus Christ and their deep devotion to Mother Mary,” he said.
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