1 Risen Christ Church, Nemicherry, Chennai
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Milan, Generalate
13 January was indeed an unforgettable day for the parishioners of «Risen Christ» parish at Nemilicherry, Chennai, who have welcomed the effigy of Maria Bambina. After insistent and ardent requests from the parish priest, Fr Immanuel Raj, since 2019, Sr. Angel C., while visiting her family that belongs to the same parish, carried the effigy directly from the «Generalate». Initially, 9 January was fixed as the ideal day to enthrone the effigy in the parish and to begin the novena that would have been concluded by placing the image in a special chapel. However, due to the covid-omicron restrictions, the parish priest postponed the date to 13 January, which joyfully marks the beginning of the harvest festival Pongal in Tamilnadu and for us, sisters, the anniversary of the birth of St Bartolomea Capitanio.
In the morning, around 6.45 a.m. a car was sent to Sr. Angel’s house to pick her up and carry the effigy of Maria Bambina to the church, where the parishioners were awaiting it with jubilation together with the priests. The parish priest blessed and incensed it and then followed the procession with the children strewing flower petals while the faithful recited prayers to the Virgin Mary. Afterwards, during the entrance hymn of the Mass, the effigy was brought into the church and honoured with a garland; after communion,
Sr. Angel presented the history and spirituality of Maria Bambina with PowerPoint slides.
The parish priest and the parishioners, grateful and moved for the presence of Maria Bambina amongst them, have thanked God for the special grace offered to the parish and their families.