Bandra Fair this year began on 10th September, following the Feast of Nativity of Blessed Virgin Mary and this year the devotees from across the country will be able to watch services at Mount Mary Basilica during the fair with live streaming of celebrations from 5:30 a.m to 10:00 p.m on an online platform and cable TV. Apart from that those visiting the churches during these 10days will now be allowed to access the area near the altar and will be allowed to sit on the benches to pray.
As reported by hindustantimes.com, Fr. Michael Goveas, Vice-Rector, Basilica of Our Lady of the Mount, Bandra, remarked that “We were in talks with various mediums last year too but we got late so this year we ensured we provide this service to devotees.” Further, he added, “All these years we used to have two or three entries but this year to satisfy everyone, we have kept only one entry open, so that everyone can reach the altar.”
On 17th September, 2017, the last day of the fair, to mark an end to the festivity, Archbishop of Bombay Cardinal Oswald Gracias will celebrate the Holy Mass and there will be a special service for the elderly and sick on September 18, 2017. The fair started when a statue of Mother Mary was found floating in the Arabian Sea between 1700-1760, which according to a legend, a Koli fisherman had dreamt about a few years earlier.
Source: www.hindustantimes.com
