The annual festival of Our Lady of Health Basilica started on Tuesday with the blessing and hoisting of Our Lady's flag by the Bishop of Thanjavur Most Rev. M. Devadass Ambrose.
The Bishop hoisted the flag and initiated the procession in the presence of Rev. Fr. A.M.A. Prabakar, Rector; Rev. Fr S.A. Susaimanickam, Parish Priest and Vice-Rector; and Rev. Fr. P. Yagappa Rajarethinam, Procurator.
The last of the seven cars carried the Lady of Velankanni. Six small cars were carried by women and the final car by men. Thousands of the faithful knelt and worshipped as the cars passed by.
Five life-size screens were installed by the Shrine management at vantage locations for the benefit of devotees.
Pilgrims were provided information by the Shrine authorities on the arrangements made for hearing of confessions in different languages in the Church of Reconciliation and Adoration Campus; conduct of mass in Tamil, Marathi, Malayalam, Kannada, Telugu and Konkani in the Morning Star Church, Lower Basilica and Upper Basilica; and for receiving blessings by priests in front of the main altar during the feast.
Gospel-centred cultural programmes will be staged on all days till September 8, the day of commemoration of the feast of Our Lady of Good Health.
The Tamil Nadu State Transport Corporation operated special services for the convenience of the pilgrims.
