Archbishop Khalid Rehmat of Lahore has urged Catholics to make prayer, peace and spiritual renewal the focus of Pakistan’s 77th Annual Pilgrimage of the Blessed Virgin Mary at the National Marian Shrine in Mariamabad, in Sheikhupura District of Punjab province.
The three-day pilgrimage, themed “Holy Mary, Queen of Peace” (Luke 1:28), will take place from September 4 to 6, drawing pilgrims from across Pakistan to the village known as Mary Town or the “City of Mary.”
Archbishop Khalid reviewed preparations with the central Ziarat (Pilgrimage) Committee on August 24 at the shrine, together with Fr. Tariq George, rector of the National Marian Shrine. He also inspected the shrine grounds, pilgrim camps and other facilities, focusing on security, accommodation, medical services and crowd management.
The review was followed by a Thanksgiving Mass, during which Archbishop Khalid prayed for the safety and spiritual fruitfulness of the pilgrimage.
The annual gathering is considered Pakistan’s largest Catholic pilgrimage, with hundreds of thousands of Catholics traditionally traveling to Mariamabad each September. Many pilgrims undertake long journeys on foot or by bicycle as an expression of their devotion to Mary.
Local families and volunteers support pilgrims by providing transportation, food and medical assistance. The shrine grounds will also host continuous recitation of the Rosary, devotional hymns and personal testimonies during the pilgrimage.
A major devotional practice is the climb to the grotto, where pilgrims wait for hours to pray before the statue of the Blessed Virgin Mary, light candles and present personal petitions.
This year’s program will include liturgical celebrations involving Church leaders from across Pakistan, including a cardinal, two archbishops, 21 priests and representatives of seven religious orders and congregations.
The pilgrimage will follow a three-day spiritual program. The opening day will focus on young people and spiritual renewal. The second day will include special prayers for the sick, elderly and families seeking comfort and healing. The pilgrimage will conclude Sept. 6 with the celebration of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, with an emphasis on national unity.
In a video message ahead of the pilgrimage, Fr. Asif Sardar, vicar general of the Archdiocese of Lahore and secretary of the Ziarat Committee, urged pilgrims to preserve the sacred character of the gathering and cooperate with shrine organizers, civil authorities and emergency services.
Fr. Asif also called on participants to avoid activities inconsistent with the Christian character of the pilgrimage and to contribute to a safe and prayerful environment.
During the preparations meeting, Archbishop Khalid received updates on logistical and administrative arrangements and thanked clergy, religious communities, volunteers and committee members for their work.
“May the Blessed Virgin Mary guide and protect all pilgrims, volunteers, clergy, religious and organizers,” Archbishop Khalid prayed. “May the 77th Annual Pilgrimage to Mariamabad be a blessed occasion of renewed faith, unity and spiritual grace for the entire Church in Pakistan.”
The National Shrine of Our Lady of Mariamabad was established in 1893 by Belgian Capuchin missionaries and has since become a major center of Marian devotion for Catholics in Pakistan.
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