“Be with us Mary along the way guide every step we take. Lead us to Jesus your loving Son’ … is the hymn that resonates the very spirit of the Walking Pilgrimage year after year. 

The Annual Walking Pilgrimage to the Mount Mary Basilica is an event most of us look forward to and the early hour of 5 am in the morning never is a matter of concern. The walk was flagged off by Fr. Amol Thopelya leading us into prayer at the foot of Calvary. Guided by Our Mother Mary on the shoulders of the Irmaus we left from Kalina on our two- and half-hour journey to the Mount.

Young and old from our different communities and zones, religious from our various congregations match steps with each other as the journey is filled along the way with prayers to our Mother. Every Hail Mary accompanied by the intercessions of every heart make it lighter to walk. This year we faced the rains the entire way, which didn’t dampen our spirit but increased our joy as the showers were blessings with a cool weather.

We concluded our journey at 7.20 am with the Eucharistic celebration. Thereafter we gathered for a refreshing cup of tea and a snack.

Together, the steps we take and the journey we make to reach Our Mother, is a journey that fills our hearts with joy as children of a Mother whose love is boundless and whom we intercede to. To Jesus through Mary.