Grand Celebration of the Feast of Our Lady of Tindary in Italy

By Fr.Shiran Fernando from Italy.

As the community of Sri Lanka has been blessed with the grand celebration of the feast of Our Lady of Thinday over the past years, the annual event was celebrated this year too on the 10th of May in the island city of Cicily, Italy.

Feast of our Lady

The Festival of the Black Madonna of Tindari, as it is widely called, is one of the many historical mysteries of this beautiful island of Cicily. At the end of a drive of 50 km on the Mesina-Palermo highway from the main city, one finds the village of Tinday. Tindari is mostly known for being the home of one of the most famous 'Black Madonnas' of Europe, the Madonna di Tindari.

This particular Madonna is said to have originated in Byzantium, and legend tells that a group of fishermen found it after it fell off a ship bound from the Orient, and handed it over to the local monks. These monks built a sanctuary for it, and it was later moved to the more recent, larger sanctuary where it currently resides. The older building behind the new sanctuary can still be visited by tourists during the day.

Sri Lankans living in Italy have come to be attracted by this extraordinarily unique devotion to the Black Madonna of Tindary and is promptly called the feast of the flowers by the Sri Lankans. The church is especially reserved for the Sri Lankan devotees on a day in the month of May, the feast of which is participated by a huge contingent of migrant Sri Lankans. This time too the grand celebration was organized by Katania-Mesina Lay Mission Committee. Rev. Fr. Neville Joe Perera, the national chaplain for Sri Lankan migrants in Italy, presided over the celebration and Rev. Frs. Sarath Nimal, the chaplain for Mesina, Neville Fernando TOR, chaplain for Siracusa, Ashok Perea, chaplain for Katania, Dilan Fernando, Antonio, parish priest of Tindary and Rev. Bro. Sachith TOR participated in the celebrations.

Following the welcome of the priests, Mesina children’s band lead the opening procession, which commenced at 10.30 a.m., accompanying the magnificently decorated chariot with the venerated statue of Our Lady of Tindary on it to the church. It was a sight to behold with the devotees encircling the statue with hearts filled with love and devotion to the Blessed mother.

The celebration of the Holy Mass marked the zenith of the celebrations and was prayerfully treated by an offertory procession accompanied by a dance by six little girls. The homily touched the importance of being united as a Sri Lankan community in Italy. No matter where we live or work, it is the responsibility of one and all, who have migrated to Italy from Sri Lanka, to feel that they are from one country and one brotherhood, who share the same culture. This is exhibited to other nationalities by our unity. The pleasant sentiment the Italians have towards Sri Lankans is further enhanced by such acts. It is a fine way to promulgate our motherland and the heritage of our culture.

Five buses from Katania, and a bus each from Rome and Reggio Kalabria facilitated the transporting of people to the church at Tinday. In addition people came from Sirakusa and Talgironi on their own and altogether a strong gathering of 4000 people were in presence for the feast.

It was a credible proof that even though living miles away from home and country Sri Lankans living in Italy have not forgotten their religious devotions, culture and customs. Even though they live on foreign soil they are still rooted in Sri Lanka.

It is a worthwhile exercise to have and organize this event every year. Apart from its devotional value, such gatherings give a rare opportunity for the Sri Lankans to showcase their hallowed traditions in a foreign land. May the Black Madonna of Tindary bless our country and all the Sri Lankans living in Italy.

- Asian Tribune -