Thousands of pilgrims from across Bangladesh gathered at the Mary, Queen of Fatima Shrine at St. Leo’s Church in Baromari, in the northeastern Sherpur district, for the 29th annual Marian pilgrimage held October 29–30.
Organized at the foothills of the Garo Hills near the Indian border, the two-day pilgrimage carried the theme “Our Lady of Fatima, Mother of Humanity” and brought together Catholics for prayer, Eucharistic celebrations, and devotion to Mary.
Bishop Ponen Paul Kubi, CSC, of the Diocese of Mymensingh, presided over the solemn Eucharistic celebration and offered prayers for peace, harmony, and the well-being of people throughout the world.
In his message, the bishop said the pilgrimage offered the faithful an opportunity to reflect on Mary's life and example. He encouraged Christians to imitate her faithfulness and obedience to Jesus Christ in their daily lives.
The pilgrimage began with a candle-lighting ceremony and a candlelight procession on the evening of October 29. Pilgrims sang Marian hymns and offered special prayers as they walked through the shrine grounds.
Thousands also participated in the hilltop Cross pilgrimage, carrying candles and seeking spiritual renewal through prayer.
The two-day program included the Sacrament of Reconciliation, Eucharistic adoration, special healing prayers, and an overnight vigil. Prayers were offered at the Marian shrine for peace, prosperity, and the well-being of people in Bangladesh and around the world.
Fr. Torun T. Bonowary, parish priest of Baromari and coordinator of the pilgrimage organizing committee, expressed gratitude for the peaceful completion of the celebration.
He said favorable conditions had enabled the parish community to conduct the program with religious dignity and discipline, and thanked God and all those who contributed to its success.
For some pilgrims, the gathering was also an occasion to express personal gratitude. One woman who attended said she had returned to the shrine after a personal prayer intention was fulfilled.
“I had previously made a vow at this shrine, hoping that a personal wish of mine would be fulfilled. As my wish has now been fulfilled, I returned to Baromari to pay homage to Mother Mary,” she said.
The Baromari pilgrimage is among Bangladesh's major Catholic religious gatherings, alongside the annual pilgrimages to the Shrine of St. Anthony of Padua in Nagari, Gazipur district, and the Shrine of Our Lady of Lourdes in Diang, Chattogram district.
The Baromari shrine was inaugurated in 1997 following Pope John Paul II's call for pilgrimages of faith in preparation for the Great Jubilee of 2000, marking 2,000 years since the birth of Jesus Christ.
Beyond the Catholic community, the annual pilgrimage also reflects interreligious engagement in Bangladesh. People from Muslim and Hindu communities join the gathering and offer gifts, expressing solidarity and respect across religious traditions.
Radio Veritas Asia (RVA), a media platform of the Catholic Church, aims to share Christ. RVA started in 1969 as a continental Catholic radio station to serve Asian countries in their respective local language, thus earning the tag “the Voice of Asian Christianity.” Responding to the emerging context, RVA embraced media platforms to connect with the global Asian audience via its 21 language websites and various social media platforms.
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