Madhu feast to be celebrated on grand scale in August

by Ananth PALAKIDNAR

The Mannar diocese will celebrate the Madhu feast on a grand scale in August, Bishop of Mannar, Rt. Rev. Rayappu Joseph said.

Bishop Rayappu Joseph told the Sunday Observer that a top level meeting was held on Friday at his office in Mannar with two Deputy Ministers representing the Government.According to Rt. Rev. Rayappu Joseph, three feasts are held in July, August and October annually and the July feast will not be held due to the current situation in the Wanni.

“However, it has been decided to hold the Madhu feast in August.

The feast will commence on August 15 and over five-hundred-thousand Catholic devotees from all parts of the country are expected to gather at the shrine.

“Security, shelter, food and health facilities were discussed extensively at the meeting on Friday.

The Security Forces took control of the Madhu area last year and the main shrine has also been refurbished by the Army.

“However, more things need to be done to ensure the safety of the pilgrims. We hope that all arrangements will be in place before the feast in August”, the Bishop said.

Deputy Ministers Dayasiri Tissera, Sarath Gunaratne, Galle Bishop Harold Anthony and several other prominent Catholic clergymen along with Government Agent of Mannar Nicholos Pillai participated in the meeting with the Mannar Bishop on Friday.

The August feast will be the mega spiritual event to be held in Madhu since the defeat of LTTE terrorism.