Jaipur: The parish of Our Lady of the Annunciation Cathedral, Malviya Nagar, witnessed a day of prayer, festivity, and reflection as parishioners came together to celebrate the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary alongside Girl Child Day. The twin observances drew large participation from the faithful, highlighting both Marian devotion and the dignity of the girl child.
The day began with a solemn procession from St. Anselm’s School to the cathedral. Mothers of St. Mary’s Ward carried the statue of Mother Mary with reverence, accompanied by flower girls, altar servers, and parishioners, all prayerfully reciting the Rosary. The graceful march set the spiritual tone for the liturgy.
The Eucharistic celebration was presided over by Bishop Emeritus Oswald J. Lewis, joined by parish priest Fr. Melwin D’Souza, associate parish priest Fr. Siby Mathew, and guest priest Fr. Sree Kumar. Leading the entrance procession were young girls of the parish, honoured with special badges symbolising their God-given worth and dignity.
In his homily, Bishop Lewis invited the faithful to imitate the virtues of the Blessed Virgin her purity, humility, and devotion to Christ. He also underscored the value of the girl child in families and communities, urging parents to nurture them with the virtues of Mary. “Every girl child is a blessing to the world and a reflection of God’s love,” he said.
Special prayers followed, with holy water blessings offered to all the girls present. Petitions were raised for their safety, equal opportunities, and rightful place in society. The offertory, led by parish girls, and the youth-led choir gave the celebration a deep spiritual resonance.
Adding a joyful dimension, winners of a drawing competition themed on the Nativity of Mary and a Family Bible Quiz were felicitated. The ceremony concluded with the symbolic showering of rose petals before the infant Mary, and parishioners shared traditional kheer (payasam) prepared by St. Mary’s Ward.
The parish community extended gratitude to Fr. Melwin D’Souza and Fr. Siby Mathew for their leadership in organising the day. The event left a strong message: just as Mary became a radiant bearer of divine grace, every girl child carries within her the light of God’s promise for humanity.