The festivities of the 115th annual Feast of the National Shrine of Our Lady of Matara commenced last Sunday with the hoisting of the flagstaff.
The Marian procession bearing the miraculous statue of Our Lady of Matara will take place on Saturday, September 10.
The National Shrine of Our Lady of Matara was known as the Church of Our Lady of Mahature. The Statue of Our Lady of Matara, revered for its miracles, is of the Madonna and Child and resembles Portuguese sculpture of the early 17th century. The statue has been taken by sea on three occasions and has been returned to Matara on each occasion.
Programme of events:
September 5 to 8
4.30 pm – Rosary, Holy Mass followed by Novena
September 9 (Friday)
4.15 pm – Holy hour, the Eucharistic Procession and Benediction
Celebrant– Rev. Fr. Charles Hewawasam (Vicar General of the Diocese of Galle)
September 10 (Saturday)
8.30 am – Holy Mass
10.00 am – Holy Mass
11.30 am – Holy Mass
3.30 pm – Welcoming of Most Rev. Dr Emmanuel Fernando, Bishop of Mannar, together with Most Rev. Dr. Raymond Wickremasinghe, Bishop of Galle
4.15pm – Rosary, Litany, Vespers followed by the Marian Procession with the statue of Our Lady of Matara.
Chief Celebrant of the evening’s vespers – Most Rev. Dr. Emmanuel Fernando, Bishop of Mannar, together with Most Rev. Dr. Raymond Wickremasinghe, Bishop of Galle
September 11 (Sunday)
4.00 am – Mass in Sinhala
5.00 am – Mass in Tamil and Sinhala
6.00 am – Mass in English
8.00 am – Festive High Mass
Celebrant – Most Rev. Dr. Raymond Wickremasinghe, Bishop of Galle
12.00 noon – Mass in Sinhala
5.00 pm – Mass in Sinhala
As a large number of devotees are expected to attend the feast this year and for the convenience of the pilgrims there will be a special train from Bangadeniya to Matara on Saturday (10) and from Matara to Bangadeniya on Sunday (11).
Accommodation in schools will be available from Friday (9).
More details could be obtained by contacting the administrator of the National Shrine of Our Lady of Matara on 0412222056.
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