On 25th April 2017, the annual Church Feast of Our Lady of Laurentina was held in Laurentina, Rome.

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Chief Celebrant was the Bishop of Ratnapura, Most Rev. Dr. Cletus Perera OSB, while Very Rev.

 

Mgr. Neville Joe Perera and Rev Fr. Saman Maximus co-celebrated the Holy Festive Mass.

 

Several other priests partecipated too.

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Laurentina is a local village situated in the southern district of Rome, where in 1947, Mother Mary

 

appeared to a retired army officer and his three children.

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One of the three children is still alive although old aged and witnesses the fact as follows:

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She (Mother Mary) said she was the "Virgin of Revelation" and that her body had not undergone

 

putrefaction. She explained that at the moment of her death her divine son and the

 

Angels had carried her directly to heaven.

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St. Mary insisted much on prayer, especially the Rosary, for sinners, for non-believers and for the unity of christians.

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The Virgin spoke slowly and without interruptions so that every word might remain fixed in the

 

mind.  She added that every Hail Mary recited with faith is a golden arrow reaching the Heart of

 

Jesus.

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This is the second time, Bishop Cletus partecipate in this feast and in his homily invited the faithful to love Mother Mary more and more.

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Rt. Rev. Monsignor Neville Joe thanked the organizers and invited the crowd to the Annual Rally

 

at Padua on 1st May. He invited the faithful to avoid bringing flowers to the offertory as it is a

 

waste of money. In fact all the flowers brought are thrown away by the Basilica staff.

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A national circular has been issued to all the Srilankan chaplains in Italy regarding this matter.

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The Padua Festive Holy Mass will begin at 11.00 am and Most Rev Dr.Harold Anthony Perera, the

 

Bishop of Kurunegala will preside.

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Photos by Montini Tissera

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