Annual feast of Our Lady of Matara
by M. Felix V. Cooray
The feast of Our Lady of Matara will be celebrated from September
12-14. Mammoth crowds are expected with the opening of the new highway.
Facilities will be provided by the Administrator and Parish Priest, Rev.
Fr. Damian Arsecularatne and his assistant Rev. Fr. Anushka Nishan
together with the parish family.
Miraculous statue
The miraculous statue over 400 years old is cut out of one solid
piece of ashwood. It is a beautiful statue of a Mother and Child.
Several experts in Europe said that it is the Portuguese type of
sculpture in the 17th century.
 According to historical records a wooden crate was pulled up by
fishermen, off the coast of Weligama near Matara in early 17th century.
When the crate was opened the most beautiful statue of the Mother and
Child was found untouched by sea water. The fishermen promptly handed
over the statue to the Parish Priest who placed it in the original
church of Matara. This was the first occasion the statue returned from
the sea.
Some time later the statue had to be hidden due to the religious
sanctions imposed by the Dutch. But again it was returned to Matara.
The statue came over the waves and was given to the care of the
Catholics of Ruhunu Rata - South of Sri Lanka. It is a sea board shrine
and Mother Mary is ever ready to help all who visit Her Shrine and
present their petitions and pleas for redress.
Statue lost on three occasions
The statue was lost on three occasions in the sea and found - the
last occasion being the tsunami where the statue was washed away during
Sunday Mass officiated by Rev. Fr. Charles Hewawasam (the present Vicar
General of Galle) by the tsunami and found after being washed ashore
three days later.
People visited the Shrine for favours. Numerous favours were reported
even then. There was a time when a cholera epidemic raged through the
entire district and claimed hundreds of lives.
Catholics rallied round the statue and prayed fervently to be freed
from the dreadful disease.
The statue was taken in procession through the streets of Matara.
Non-Catholics also participated. After a few days the health authorities
declared the area safe and no fresh cases were reported.
Since then the people of Matara look upon this statue as miraculous.
They presented numerous problems to the God Mother and she never failed
to answer them.
New Chapel for the Blessed Sacrament
The Blessed Sacrament is exposed (from 7 am to 7 pm).
First Saturday Mass
The first Saturday Mass is celebrated at 7 am Many pilgrims attend
this Mass.
Mother Mary has promised that any person who takes part in the First
Saturday devotions on five consecutive first Saturdays – with the
following:
(a) Confess and receive Holy Communion
(b) Recites five decades of the Rosary
(c) Keeps Her company for 15 minutes while meditating on the
Mysteries of the Holy Rosary.
(d) With the intention of making reparation to Her she will
definitely be by their bedside at their last moments to help them.
Program
September 12, 4 p.m. - Holy Hour followed by the Eucharistic
procession and Benediction. Celebrant - Rev. Fr. Charles Hewawasam,
Vicar General, Galle.
September 13, 3.30 p.m. - Welcome to His Lordship, the Most Rev. Dr.
Maxwell Silva, Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Colombo together
with the Bishop of Galle 4.30 p.m. - Rosary, Litany and Vespers followed
by the Marian procession with the Miraculous statue. Celebrant - Rt.
Rev. Dr. Maxwell Silva, Auxiliary Bishop of Colombo.
September 14, Feast day - Holy Masses at 4 a.m., 5 a.m. And 6 a.m.
Festive High Mass at 8 a.m. Celebrant - The Most Rev. Dr. Raymond
Wickremasinghe, Bishop of Galle.
There will be masses at 11.30 p.m., 4 p.m. And 6 p.m. For
late-comers. Thousands of Catholics and non-Catholics will gather at the
feet of Our Heavenly Mother, seeking her intercession in all their needs
and celebrate her birthday.
[Special trains]
September 13, Saturday - Special train from Chilaw (Bangadeniya to
Matara).
September 14 - Special train from Matara to Chilaw (Matara to
Bangadeniya). |
