Each year, the Indian American Catholic Association organizes and hosts a pilgrimage for all South Asian Catholics to the Oratory of Our Lady of Good Health Vailankanni at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, at 400 Michigan Avenue, NE, Washington, DC 20017.

This year's pilgrimage will be held on Saturday, September 13, 2008 and will begin at 1:00 PM. The Holy Mass will be held in the main church of the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception and will be presided by His Excellency Most Reverend Martin Holley, Auxiliary Bishop of Washington.  Please come early for the childrens event.

Please refer to the event flier for more information.

History of the Annual Pilgrimages

11 years ago in 1997, the Indian American Catholic Association, composed of various South Asian Catholic communities, erected a shrine to Our Lady of Good Health, Vailankanni in the Crypt Church of the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, DC. On August 16, 1997, in conjunction with the celebration of the 50th anniversary of India's independence (August 15, 1997), thousands of South Asian Catholics congregated to the National Shrine to pay homage to Our Lady via this newly built oratory. You can read more about the oratory, its history and unique architectural details on the National Shrine's website.

Though South Asian Catholics represent a tiny minority of the population of their home countries and an even smaller minority here in the United States, they felt it was important to represent and share their culture with others. The Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, the U.S.'s patronal church and preeminent Marian Shrine, was and still is the site of many of the gatherings of the Indian American Catholic Association. Having the oratory built in the Shrine allows for the global Catholic community learn more about the Indian Catholic community and allows pilgrims to pay homage to Our Lady of Good Health.

For years before the actual unveiling of the oratory in 1997, various members of the South Asian Catholic community worked together through the Indian American Catholic Association (a 501 c(3) organization), to raise funds and plan for the construction of this oratory. It was the combined efforts of the South Asian Catholic community, their friends, the larger U.S. Catholic community, as well as hope, perseverance and prayers that the oratory was created and still beautifully stands in the patronal church of the U.S.

In memory of the efforts of our community and to pay homage to Our Lady of Good Health and to come together as a community, the Indian American Catholic Association organizes and hosts a pilgrimage to the Shrine every year.

Schedule 

1:00 PM          Confession at the Confessional Chapel
2:00 PM          Assemble in the Crypt Church
2:05 PM          Rosary – Crypt Church
2:30 PM          Procession to the Upper Church
3:00 PM          Pilgrimage Mass (Main Celebrant: His Excellency Most Reverend Archbishop Pietro Sambi, Apostolic Nuncio)
4:15 PM          Blessing and Dedication of Children (Presided by: His Excellency Archbishop Pietro Sambi, Apostolic Nuncio)
4:45 PM          Novena Prayer
5:15 PM          Reception (Location TBD)

Location and Directions

Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception
400 Michigan Avenue, NE
Washington, DC 20017-1566
Phone: 202-526-8313 

Directions