For Card Gracias, there are no restrictions on the mercy of Mary, the mother of us all
The archbishop of Mumbai celebrated the feast day of Our Lady of Perpetual Help at the shrine in St Michael in Mahim, one of India’s most venerated sites. " people of every faith come to venerate Our Lady of Perpetual Help”, who is “the largest recipient of mercy”.
Mumbai (AsiaNews) – “There are neither restrictions nor barriers to the Mercy of Mary. This is witnessed here at this Church – people of every faith come to venerate Our Lady of Perpetual Help, asking for her prayers and blessings. Mary is Mother to every single person,” said Card Oswald Gracias, archbishop of Mumbai, during this morning Mass celebrating the feast day of Our Lady of Perpetual Help in the parish of St Michael (Mahim).
Thousands of faithful attended the Mass. During his homily, the archbishop focused on God’s merciful love, which "is reflected in Jesus Christ and His Mother (Mother of Mercy) who is the largest recipient of mercy and who shows it to others."
From the time God chose her to be the mother of his son, "Mary's life was one of continuous mercy. Immediately after the annunciation she went in haste to her cousin Elizabeth. Mary continuously helps humankind return to the Gospel in order to help, love and serve others.”
“The Holy Father, always said, ‘Be conscious of the Mercy we have received’ and show it to others.”
The archbishop expressed his special devotion to Our Lady of St Michael, which was his parish and where he went every morning at 9.30 am to pray the novena.
"The cult of Our Lady of Perpetual Help, which started with small gestures in this church, spread throughout the city and across the country."
The Church of St Michael in Mahim is one of the most visited Marian shrines in India because of the miracles reputed to have occurred here. Many people converted after coming to the site on a pilgrimage.
Tonight Card Gracias will celebrate the feast in Chembur (Mumbai) commemorating the 150th anniversary of the gift of an icon of Our Lady of Perpetual Help by the pope to the Redemptorists of the diocese.
As he ended this morning’s Mass, the archbishop prayed "for the Holy Father, the Archdiocese, the country and all those present, remembering especially the sick, the elderly and those who could not come to the shrine." He then exhorted the congregation.
“By receiving her Mercy, may we be merciful and give mercy to those in pain, to those suffering hardships, the old and the sick, the aged and the lonely. Be agents of God’s Mercy.”
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