Khorshed Alam, Sherpur 

The annual two-day pilgrimage of 'Our Lady of Fatima 'concluded on Friday afternoon at the Saint Leo’s Christian Mission in Baromari under Nalitabari Upazila of Sherpur, gathering over 50,000 Christian devotees from across the country.

The religious festival, which commenced on Thursday, October 29, formally ended at around 12:30 pm on Friday following the solemn celebration of the Grand Holy Mass (Maha-Khristoyag).

Nestled near the Garo Hills along the Meghalaya border, the pilgrimage site witnessed a significant influx of pilgrims, including indigenous Garo families and Christian devotees nationwide. The local administration and law enforcement agencies implemented comprehensive security measures to ensure smooth and uninterrupted religious observances throughout the event.

A central highlight of the festival was the candlelight procession held on Thursday night. Thousands of pilgrims carried lit candles along a two-kilometer elevated path representing the Stations of the Cross, illuminating the hilly landscape in a ritual of prayer and spiritual renewal.

The formal proceedings initiated at 3:00 pm on Thursday with special prayers and mass. The two-day liturgy included sacrament of reconciliation, night-long vigil, adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, healing services, personal devotions, and the Way of the Cross procession on Friday morning. The Bishop of Mymensingh Catholic Diocese, Ponen Paul Kubi CSC, presided over the principal religious rites as the chief celebrant.

Reviewing the successful completion of the festival, Coordinator of the Organizing Committee and Parish Priest of Baromari Christian Mission Rev. Father Torun Bonowari expressed gratitude to the Almighty, the district administration, and police authorities for ensuring a peaceful and orderly atmosphere.

Sherpur Deputy Commissioner Farida Yasmin confirmed that full administrative support was extended from the outset, commending all stakeholders for maintaining peace, discipline, and communal harmony amidst the large turnout.

Addressing the congregation, Bishop Ponen Paul Kubi CSC emphasized the theme of this year's pilgrimage, "Mother Mary, Fatima Rani, Mother of Humanity," urging believers to follow her teachings of faith, peace, and spiritual devotion.

Alongside the spiritual observances, a traditional fair was set up adjacent to the mission grounds, featuring stalls with Christian religious items, traditional Garo attire, household goods, handicrafts, and children's toys. The fair drew participation from diverse ethnic and religious communities, serving as a platform for interfaith harmony.

Established in 1942 across 42 acres, Saint Leo's Mission in Baromari was designated as the Pilgrimage Site of Our Lady of Fatima in 1998, modeled after the Fatima sanctuary in Portugal. Featuring a prominent 48-foot statue of the Virgin Mary, the sanctuary hosts one of the largest annual Christian gatherings in South Asia on the final Thursday and Friday of October.