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Sri Lankan Catholics flock to coastal shrine

Thousands attend weeklong feast of St. Anne, the mother of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Sri Lankan Catholics flock to coastal shrine
Published: August 09, 2016 08:28 AM GMT
Updated: August 09, 2016 08:31 AM GMT

Thousands of Sri Lankan Catholics flocked to a shrine in the coastal area of Talawila to celebrate the weeklong feast of St. Anne, the mother of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

Many of the pilgrims for the event, that began Aug. 1, camped in the immediate surroundings of the church or rented out nearby houses.

During the week, priests offered religious services to pilgrims such as catechism and confessions. A final Mass was held on Sunday, Aug. 7.

Bishops Emmanuel Fernando, Auxiliary Bishop of Colombo and Bishop Valence Mendis of Chilaw presided at the main service.

Sri Lanka Navy personnel took St. Anne's statue around the precincts of the church during the main procession.

The shrine is one of the most ancient shrines in Sri Lanka and the feast has been celebrated in such a way for over 150 years.

The statue dedicated to St. Anne is believed by many to have been placed inside a banyan tree by a shipwrecked trader who returned to fulfill a vow to construct a church in honor of the Virgin Mary's mother.

An alternative story says a Portuguese trader had a series of dreams where St. Anne asked for a church to be built in the location.

St. Anne's official feast day falls on July 26.

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