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| Saturday, 13 September 2003 |
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Homage to ancient statue of the Blessed Virgin Mary Tomorrow 14th September over two lakhs of pilgrims from all parts of the island will gather at St. Mary's Church, Matara to pay homage to Our Lady of Matara. It is envisaged that the gathering will be much more than the previous years as pilgrims are expected from the North and East as a matter of goodwill in return for the large number of pilgrims who went from the South to pay homage to Our Lady of Madhu after a lapse of 20 years due to the ethnic war and to intercede from Her a permanent peace in our motherland. The statue of Our Lady of Matara, 26 inches in height carved out of one block of ashwood which is venerated at St. Mery's Church, Matara is over 400 years old dating back to the Portuguese era of occupation of our island. Expert opinion in Europe declares that it is characteristic of Portuguese style of sculpture of the 17th century. This statue was caught in a net by the fishermen of Weligama and as it was of no use to them they prudently handed it over to the nearest church in Matara - St. Mary's. Since then the statue has undergone many vicissitudes down the years with the numerous miraculous "escapes" mentioned both in legend and history the statue of Our Lady of Matara has gained wide popularity. This popularity greatly increased when the statue was taken in procession both by Catholics and Non-catholics along the streets of Matara to ask Her protection from the terrible plague of cholera which raged in Matara and decimated its population. Mary's influence with God was so great that the plague ended and the people heaved grateful sighs of relief. The most colourful part of the Annual Feast is the orderly procession the day preceding the Feast today (13th) when the famed statue of Our Lady of Matara is taken in procession in a beautifully decorated and illuminated Motor chariot along the streets of Matara. It is about a 3 mile route. After the procession comes back to the Stadium in the church grounds the Chief celebrant who this year will be the newly consecrated Bishop of Ratnapura His Lordship Rt. Rev. Dr. Harold Anthony Perera, will bless the gathering with the miraculous statue. On Sunday 14th His Lordship the Bishop of Galle Rt. Rev. Dr. Elmo Perera will preside at the Festive High Mass and His Lordship Rt. Rev. Dr. Harold Anthony Perera will deliver the sermon. After the High Mass the Bishop of Galle will bless the gathering with the statue of Our Lady of Matara amidst great applause. An appeal Construction of a pilgrims rest has just commenced at the Shrine and a collosal sum of money will be needed for its completion. The Administrator of the Shrine appeals to all devotees of Our Lady of Matara to send in their contributions for this worthy cause. Cheques and Money Orders can be made in favour of the Parish Priest St. Mary's Church Matara. This Pilgrims Rest is an absolute necessity for the advancement of the Shrine and it is hoped that generous contributions will flow in. May Our Lady of Matara bring a lasting peace to our motherland. - K. Michael de Silva |
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