VIJAYAWADA: Heavy rush of devotees was witnessed on mount Gunadala on Saturday, the second day of Tirunallu of Mother Mary. Pilgrims offered special prayers to Virgin Lady and the Mother of Lord Jesus and many of them got their heads tonsured, as part of fulfilling their vows after their wishes had been realised. Women, who could not produce children, tied cradles to trees and window grills on the church premises and prayed to Mother Mary to bless them with progeny.
Mother Mary at Gunadala is popularly called as Mother of Health (Arogya Mata). Many people suffering from diseases prayed for healing, with a majority of them breaking coconuts. The Bishop of Kurnool diocese Rev. Pula Antony organised Holy Mass for the pilgrims. In his message, he praised Mother Mary as the most blessed woman of the world and said women give their best to others in the form of 'mother'.
Thousands of pilgrims from the both the Telugu states and also from neighbouring states thronged Gunadala by trains, buses and their personal vehicles to offer prayers to Mother Mary. All the roads leading to Gunadala church were abuzz with pilgrims. Vijayawada Catholic Bishop Rev. Telagatoti Joseph Raja Rao lauded the young devotees for their devotion to Mother Mary and christianity.
Vicor General Fr. M. Gabriel, Monsignor Fr. Muvvala Prasad, Rector E. Willium Jayaraju, Fr. Gorremucchu Jwahnesu, Fr. Nakka David Raj, Fr. Injepaul, Fr. Anthaih , D. Vijay Kumar, director, Pastor Centre, and P. Joji, Moses, Koteswara Rao, Fr. Telagatoti Paul (Germany) participated in the celebrations at the church in the evening. The past Bishop of Guntur diocese Rev. Gali Bali addressed Mass along with Vijayawada diocese's Rev. Joseph Raja Rao and other pastors. Nuzvid St. Paul's seminary students performed Kolatam, along with other artistes presenting cultural and devotional programmes.
