Sheikhupura, September 2, 2024 — The 75th National Marian Shrine pilgrimage is set to begin on Friday, September 6, in Mariamabad, marking a significant event for Catholics across Pakistan. The three-day pilgrimage, starting on September 6 and culminating on September 8, coincides with the Feast of the Nativity of Mary, drawing over two million pilgrims from across the country and abroad to the historic site.
Mariamabad, known as the "City of Mary," is located about 80 kilometers from Lahore in the Punjab province. Founded in 1892 by Capuchin Bishop Emmanuel Van Den Bosch to provide a refuge for newly converted Christians from Sialkot, the village has since become a vital spiritual center for Pakistani Catholics. The shrine itself, featuring a Marian grotto with a three-and-a-half-meter statue of the Virgin Mary atop a hill, has been a focal point of devotion for over a century.
This year’s pilgrimage is themed "Intercession and Miracles of St. Mary," and will feature continuous prayers and masses honoring the Virgin Mary. Christian choirs and singers from all over Pakistan will perform throughout the event, filling the air with hymns and praises in honor of St. Mary.
In addition to religious services, the event features a vibrant marketplace outside the church grounds, where pilgrims can purchase crosses, rosaries, religious books, and handmade items crafted by local villagers. Temporary stalls, decorated for the occasion, offer a variety of goods, while volunteers ensure the smooth flow of traffic and provide 24-hour assistance to visitors. The government has also arranged special trains and buses to facilitate travel for pilgrims from all parts of the country.
One of the pilgrimage's unique traditions is the long procession of pilgrims ascending the hill to offer gifts and make offerings at the statue of St. Mary. These offerings include goats, cash, candles, incense sticks, and scarves, with many believing that their heartfelt prayers at the shrine lead to miraculous blessings, particularly for childless couples who return the following year to give thanks.
The nighttime at Mariamabad is a spectacle of lights, with thousands of lamps turning night into day. The atmosphere remains lively throughout, as pilgrims pray, shop, and celebrate without pause. The event has become a testament to the enduring faith of Pakistan’s Christian community.
The significance of the Mariamabad pilgrimage has only grown over the years. In 2019, during the 70th anniversary, the shrine was visited by Archbishop Christophe Zakhia El-Kassis, the Apostolic Nuncio to Pakistan, who blessed a new altar, and Archbishop Sebastian Francis Shaw of Lahore, who unveiled the latest edition of the Urdu-language Catholic Bible.
The Government of Punjab has played a crucial role in supporting the pilgrimage, recently completing a 4.1-kilometer road from Sheikhupura to Mariamabad, making travel easier for the millions of pilgrims. Additionally, the nearby village of Sukheke is now connected to the motorway, further improving access to the shrine.
As the 75th National Marian Shrine begins, it stands not only as a celebration of faith but also as a testament to the resilience and unity of Pakistan’s Christian community. With the government’s continued support, the pilgrimage is expected to grow even more in the years to come, solidifying Mariamabad’s status as a beacon of hope and faith in the region.
