SHRINE OF MARY HELP OF CHRISTIANS

Fr. Aurelius Maschio began work on the Shrine of Mary Help of Christians in 1954. The foundation stone was laid by Valerian Cardinal Gracias and within a span of two years, the colossal monument was ready. On August 5, 1957, auxiliary bishop Longinus Pereira blessed the Shrine and declared it open for public veneration. But only seven years later, on November 28, 1964 was the Shrine formally consecrated by archbishop Hubert D'Rosario, SDB, along with seven other bishops, to mark the beginning of the 39th International Eucharistic Congress. Barely a week later, on December 4, 1964, none other than the Pope himself, Paul VI, paid a visit to the Shrine and blessed the statue of Mary Help of Christians. Today the Shrine continues to attract devotees from all parts of Bombay and India as well.

Fr. Maschio's "tribute to Mary" is not so much the marvel of the shrine building he created in her honour, it is rather the faith that it inspires in the devotees who visit it year after year.