MESSAGE FROM THE PARISH PRIEST

Fr. Amirtha Raj OP

          Coming to St. Dominic’s Ashram is an intense feeling of joy and an experience of ‘home coming’. To be the parish priest of the Parish of Our Lady of the Rosary is an opportunity to minister to the people of the parish community. When unexpected events unfold, they help us to realize that God has a plan for us and after the surprise we accept His plan with grace and courage. There are many fond memories of residing at St. Dominic’s Ashram and St. Charles’ Seminary, Seminary Hills, Nagpur.

          On this special occasion, I extend a special word of gratitude to Rev. Fr. Justus Paul, OP who was the Prior and Parish Priest and Rev. Fr. Jose Thomas, OP who has been the Parochial Vicar for their selfless service, dedication and commitment towards the Dominican Community and to the Rosary Parish. My special gratitude to all the devotees of Mary for their dedicated service to make the feast of Our Lady of Lourdes a prayerful, meaningful, participative and peaceful celebration. May Mary our Mother continue to be with us guiding and leading us in the right path.

          The Grotto on the Seminary Hills dedicated to Our Lady of Lourdes gets maximum number of pilgrims during the days of novena and the feast. The meeting point of all the faithful and the pilgrims of Central India on the 11^th and 12^th of February 2012 was the Grotto. Historically, about 120 years ago, the ‘Statue’ of Our Lady of Lourdes was brought from France. A small grotto was built in the tiger infested area of Nagpur, where that statue was kept. Within days Our Lady of Lourdes and the grotto began to attract people of all faith because of the powerful divine presence, because of the innumerable blessings, because many petitions were answered and also because of the scenic surrounding. Then the major decision was to have the Seminary built near the grotto. What has been happening at Lourdes in France also happens here at the Grotto at the Seminary Hills. The experiences of the people could be summed up as follows.

         

1.  People are drawn to the Grotto: Among the many people who come, there is a sizable number are of different faith. Once they reach the grotto, upon analysis they realize that they have been drawn to the grotto by an inner force. Often it is an inexplicable experience, a spiritual thirst, desire for a God experience. After the first few visits, they are almost spontaneously drawn to the grotto. Many do not have a convincing explanation about their coming to the grotto. The grotto has this ‘magnetic’ effect to bring the devotees.

2. “I am the Immaculate Conception”: The faithful had believed for a long time that Mary has been conceived immaculately. Our Lady had confirmed that belief through her conversation with St. Bernadette. Though Bernadette did not understand the meaning and the implications of what has been revealed, she simply accepted and believed what was revealed to her. Almost all the people have the first hand experience of ‘faith’ in God, faith in Our Lady, faith in the Eucharistic celebration, faith in what is preached at the grotto. Coming here is an experience of faith formation, an “intellectual assent”.  

3. Pray for Total Healing: Most of the visible miracles have been the miracles of healing, physical healing, mental healing, emotional healing or spiritual healing. There is a natural way of connecting faith and healing; that which is fundamental to a religion –faith- with the personal experience of healing. Healings are personal experiences which deepen and strengthen the faith of the faithful here at the grotto.

4. Conversion of Sinners: Perhaps the most touching personal experiences of many at the grotto is the conversion. The Sacrament of Reconciliation is meaningful and relevant at the grotto as every one wants to be forgiven by God and to start a new life.  

5. Prayers are answered: This is an undeniable experience of all people. Prayer of petitions is the one prayer of almost all the people. The prayers are answered, and so the natural response of the people is the prayer of thanksgiving as a complementary prayer.    

6. Personal Revelations leading to Personal Guidance: Another personal experience of many people is the inspiration and guidance directly experienced by many people. These personal revelations help them to make decisions according to the will of God, according to the revelation. Often the decisions help them to have a turning point experience or event and to begin a new life, a life centered on God, guided by Mother Mary.   

Our Lady of Lourdes of the Seminary Hills – Pray for us.