29th October 2000 was a great day for Don Bosco Kuarmunda, Orissa when Rt. Rev. Alphonse Bilung D.D., the then Bishop of Rourkela Diocese, in the presence of the donors Mrs. & Mr. Cav. Lav. Glovanni Arvedi as Chief Guest, Fr. Joseph Kezhakkekara SDB, then Provincial of New Delhi Province and Fr. Liberatus Bara the Parish Priest at that time, blessed the newly constructed Church and announced that this shrine would be dedicated to Mary Help of Christians. Some 250 religious and about 10,000 faithful witnessed this unforgettable and memorable event. Since then every year pilgrims from different parishes of Rourkela Diocese as well as from various parishes and institutions of Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh and Orissa flock to the Shrine of Mary Help of Christians to pray to Mother Mary.
On 8th September, 2020, the Salesians of Don Bosco belonging to the communities of Bichna, Gumla, Jharsuguda, Jamtoli, Kereng, Jokbahla and Jumaikela made a pilgrimage to the Shrine of Mary Help of Christians at Kuarmunda in Orissa to implore the maternal protection of Mary help of Christians upon the whole world during this time of the pandemic.
Fr. Vijay Soy, the Rector welcomed all the Salesians and initiated the blissful day of the ‘Nativity of Mother Mary’ with a rosary procession, which was followed by Holy Eucharist presided over by Fr. Mathai Vellappallil. Fr. Mathai animated the Salesians on the theme of ‘Mary – Our Intercessor and Protector’ and reclaimed in his sermon the nurturing and protective love of Mary Help of Christians in the life of every individual Salesian. The communion of the confreres around the altar of the Lord brought strength and blessings at this time of anxiety. Fr. Soy extended Feast day greetings and blessings of Mary Help of Christians to all the Salesians. It was a memorable and grace filled day for the pilgrims.
Fr. Soy Noas Vijay SDB
Edited by Fr. Babu Varghese SDB