PUNE: A large number of devotees are attending the ongoing novenas in honour of Our Lady of Good Health, Vailankanni at various churches in Pune and Pimpri Chinchwad. The feast of the nativity (birthday) of Mother Mary will be celebrated on September 8.

The feast of the nativity of Mother Mary is the second most important festival, next only to Christmas, for the Catholics. St Ignatius Church at Khadki is the main centre of the novena prayers and feast of Our Lady of Vailankanni in the city. Thousands of devotees from various churches in the city and nearby areas have been attending the novena prayers and mass, celebrated at the especially erected pandal at the church, daily at 12 noon and 6 pm.

Pune Bishop Thomas Dabre will celebrate the feast mass at St Ignatius Church at 6 pm on September 8. St Ignatius Church, Khadki, established in 1833, is one of the oldest churches in Pune. It was also the first church in the city to introduce the novena prayers and celebrate the feast of Our Lady of Good Health, Vailankanni.

Bishop Dabre will celebrate the mass at Our Lady Consoler of the Afflicted Church in Pimpri at 6 pm on  September 6. Fr Roque Alphonso will celebrate the feast mass at St Francis Xavier Church in Chinchwad at 6 pm, on September 8.