Tucho Praises the Syncretistic Shrine of Vailankanni, India
The cardinal wrote a letter dated August 1, approved by Pope Francis, and addressed to Bishop Sagayaraj Thamburaj of Tanjore.
Tucho claims that the shrine brings "many spiritual fruits".
The shrine dates back to the 16th century when the Virgin Mary allegedly appeared to a young shepherd carrying milk to a customer. The woman asked for the milk for a child in her arms and the shepherd agreed. He later realized that the milk was still in his container.
Also, a crippled boy claimed to be cured after an apparition of Our Lady.
Portuguese sailors who were shipwrecked near the coast during a storm, attributed their rescue to the intervention of the Virgin Mary and built a chapel in her honor.
Tucho recalled that John Paul II chose the shrine in in 2002 as the site for the celebration of the World Day of the Sick even comparing the Virgin of Vailankanni to Our Lady of Lourdes.
However, Tucho admits that "many non-Christian pilgrims come" to seek healing, which "should not be seen as a form of syncretism or mixing of religions".
This is exactly what happens.
The shrine's popularity grew in the 1950s and 1960s. It is known for syncretic spirituality. Hindu pilgrims make votive offerings and light candles to Shakti, the divine feminine energy, and other mother goddess figures in Hinduism.
Practices at the shrine currently reflect rituals from Hindu temples.
The annual festival (August 29-September 8) draws large crowds, with about 70% of the participants being Hindus and Muslims. The format of the festival, including the flag-raising ceremony, is reminiscent of Hindu festivals such as Navarāttiri.
Picture: © wikicommons, CC BY-SA, #newsEmnigcyoym