Thousands brave rain to attend Tura shrine consecration

TURA: If its construction was a labour of love, the consecration was surely a triumph of faith as catholic faithful from all walks of life braved Saturday’s inclement weather to witness the opening of the haloed portals of the Sacred Heart Shrine.
The long awaited dream of the Catholic faithful to witness and partake in the Holy Eucharistic service at Sacred Heart Shrine finally came true on Saturday morning as the devoted in their thousands joined the bishops of the North East for the consecration of one of the biggest shrines in the history of Catholic church in Garo Hills.
People from all over Garo Hills as well as from Khasi Hills and Bongaigaon in Assam came to be part of the sacred session.
The shrine, which is supposed to house around 5,000 faithful, witnessed a deluge of humanity jostling for space both within and beyond its sanctified portals.
The service began with an itinerary of rituals that started with the consecration of the altar with the sacred chrism oil by the Bishop Andrew Marak. This was followed by the burning of incense as part of the rituals of purification. The 12 pillars of the shrine were then anointed by the bishops of the North East before the Holy Bible was carried and enthroned in the sacred ambo for the Holy Eucharist to begin.
A host of public leaders, including Tura MP Conrad K Sangma, MLAs James K Sangma, Nihim D Shira, Rophuel S Marak, former Rajya sabha MP Thomas A Sangma, GHADC CEM Boston Marak, attended the service.
The Lok Sabha MP unveiled a souvenir of the Sacred Heart Parish as part of the shrine’s dedication.
Earlier, the Archbishop of Guwahati, Rev. John Moolachira opened the shrine to worshippers after unveiling a plaque and leading the congregation into the church.
In his homily at the inaugural service of the Sacred Heart Shrine, Bishop of Tura Rt. Rev Andrew R Marak said, “The house of the Lord will always be a place of solace welcoming every believer in Christ.”
“In the face of life’s many challenges Lord Jesus Christ always gives us strength and confidence. One who prays in the Lord’s house will always find inner peace and comfort of the soul,” said Bishop Andrew Marak in his address to the gathering of several thousand who had braved the cold and wet weather to partake in the celebration of the shrine.
“Today we are having showers of blessings from Heaven,” said Bishop Andrew who completed ten years of his being anointed Bishop of Tura.