Fernández: India’s Vailankanni Shrine reveals welcoming Mother, not syncretism

By Vatican News

Millions of pilgrims faithfully visit the shrine of Our Lady of Good Health in Vailankanni in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu.

According to Cardinal Victor Manuel Fernandez, prefect of the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith, “the many spiritual fruits that are produced in this sanctuary make us recognize the constant action of the Holy Spirit in this place.”

The Cardinal Prefect wrote these words in a letter dated August 1, approved by Pope Francisand addressed to Bishop-elect Sagayaraj Thamburaj, of the Diocese of Tanjore.

The shrine will celebrate the feast of Our Lady of Health on September 8, and devotion to Vailankanni dates back to the 16th century.

The action of the Holy Spirit in many non-Christian pilgrims

“Many non-Christian pilgrims who come seeking comfort echo similar experiences,” Cardinal Fernández stressed. “Some of them are healed of their illnesses and many find peace and hope. Without a doubt, the Holy Spirit is also at work in them, responding through the intercession of Mary.”

“This should not be considered a form of syncretism or mixing of religions. The Shrine is a place where the closeness of Mary is manifested, who welcomes everyone and demonstrates the love of the Lord to those who reflect on it. Those who cannot receive the sacraments of the Catholic Church are not deprived of the consolation of the Mother of Jesus.”

Pope Francis’ appreciation for “this place of faith”

Cardinal Fernandez said he and Pope Francis recalled the spiritual beauty of this place of faith during the papal audience granted to him on August 1.

“The Holy Father cares a lot about the popular piety of the faithful pilgrims, because they reflect the beauty of the Church on the move, which seeks Jesus in the arms of Mary and entrusts its pain and hope to the heart of its Mother,” he said.

This is why, the cardinal added, Pope Francis expressed his “great gratitude” for this place of faith. In anticipation of the September celebrations at the Vailankanni shrine, he added, the Pope extends his paternal blessing to all pilgrims.

First manifestation of Mary

According to an ancient account, the Virgin Mary first appeared in Vailankanni in the 16th century to a young man who was bringing milk for a customer, asking him to offer some for the child she was holding in her arms. The young man readily agreed, but upon reaching the customer’s house, he realized that the milk was still in its container.

“This,” Cardinal Fernandez said, “is an expression of the generosity of those who are willing to give something to others, in their own poverty. It is not necessary to have much to be generous. May this call to share, to help, to be close to those who need us always resonate in this place. Mary loves the generosity of her children.”

Tenderness of Mary, Mother of all

The prefect of the dicastery for the doctrine of the faith praised the “beautiful traditions attributed to the meetings that the Virgin had with poor and sick children in this place of worship. In this way, the tenderness and closeness of Mary is manifested, whom Jesus wanted to bequeath to us as the Mother of all. Through her intercession, Jesus Christ often pours out his strength and restores health to the sick.”

He recalled that “in 2002, Saint John Paul II chose this place to celebrate the World Day of the Sick. Thus, the same Virgin Mary who manifested herself in Lourdes also manifested herself in India as the Mother of Health.”

Before Mary, we recognize the love of Jesus

“It is not only a question of bodily health, but also a question that touches the soul. Contemplating the image of Mary, we can all recognize the love of Jesus Christ that can heal our sadness, our anguish and our fears. If we stop before Mary, even in a brief moment of faith and love, her maternal gaze gives us peace.”