7,000 Tamil Pilgrims gathered at Midland Shrine.
On July 15th, 2006 Saturday, Tamil pilgrims made their pilgrimage to Midland Martyrs’ Shrine. The Shrine honours the eight Jesuit saints who lived, worked and died here over 350 years ago. The grounds, including the famous Shrine Church and 75 pleasantly landscaped acres invite us into prayer and tranquility.
The Administration at the Shrine reserves the Third Saturday in July every year for Tamils pilgrims to come and pray and spend the day at the shrine. Tamils have been making this pilgrimage for the4 last twenty years and number has been increased to 7000 this year. Hoy mass was celebrated in the open Air alter in Tamil, concelebrating with 9 priests who have from India and Sri Lanka along with the priests in Toronto. Rev. Dr. Jochimpillai who is the spiritual Director of the Tamil Catholic Community of Toronto was the main celebrant. Rev. Fr. Paul Raj preached at the Holy Mass. After thanksgiving ,Mrs Mathura Thabinayagam, the President of the Tamil Catholic Community of Toronto thanked the Sub-Committee Chairperson Anton Philip, Secretary Christine Seevaratnam, Coordinator Jude Aloysius, Treasurer Stanly Velichore, Volunteer coordinator Christian Emmanuvel, One of the Chief Organizers Angelo Swampillai for carrying out festival in an excellent manner. She also thanked the volunteers who worked tirelessly, the Our Lady of Good Health Parish Choir for the excellent and prayerful songs and media who made their contribution in giving the publicity for the festivel. Lunch was followed by the mass. Food was distributed by the pilgrims who had made their vows to the Saints and families also brought their own food and shared their meals At 3.30 p.m. Benediction with Adoration officiated by Rev. Fr. Emil Paul who is visiting from Jaffna Diocese.
Photos from the 2006 Tamils’ pilgrimage to Midland Martyrs’ Shrine:
To Publish your Community Events & Photos in TamilWeek, please email: toronto@tamilweek.com
