The annual festival of Shrine Basilica of Our Lady of Health in Velankanni began on Wednesday evening with hoisting of Our Lady’s flag by Bishop of Thanjavur Diocese Most Rev. M. Devadass Ambrose.
The ceremony was witnessed by thousands of devotees who had come from various parts of the country. It was followed by litany, benediction and mass in Tamil in the Shrine Auditorium.
During the course of the festival until September 8, the shrine management will hold special mass in English, Marathi, Konkani, Malayalaym, Telugu and Kannada. The car procession of Our Lady of Health will be taken out on all Novena Days at 8 p.m.
The police department has made elaborate arrangements for managing the crowd of devotees who would be coming to the shrine on padayatras all through the festival days.
The Railways and Tamil Nadu State Transport Corporation are operating special services for the duration of the festival for the convenience of the pilgrims.
