Arni (India). On 6 and 8 September 2024, the educative Institutions of the Community of St. Joseph of Arni, of St. Tommaso Apostle Province (INM), celebrated the Nativity of Mary and the Day of the Child with two initiatives.
On 6 September, the pupils of the 1st and 2nd level Secondary School, the Primary School, and the staff of the Dispensary, together created a performance for the inauguration of the Marian exhibit. The event began with an intense moment of prayer, which brought together staff and students to honor Mary.
The students of the 2nd level Secondary School wore different clothes to represent some of the main apparitions of Mary, presenting briefly the history of each: Our Lady of Fatima, Our Lady of Lourdes, Our Lady of Pilar, Our Lady of Health of Veilankanni, Our Lady of Konankuppam, of Elakurichy, Mary Queen of the World, Our Lady of Waiting, Mary Help of Christians.
Participants were invited to offer prayers for the intentions of the Institution, families, and the world community. The Animator, Sister Kanickaraj Mary Tamizharasi, spoke on the theme, “Mary, morning star and beacon”, emphasizing her role as a guiding light and of hope.
In a solemn procession, led by the students representing Mary, FMA, staff, and student representatives, they then reached the Dispensary Hall, where the Director officially opened the exhibit that included: several reproductions of the Madonna made by the students of the Secondary School; a replica of the grotto of Lourdes; the dream at 9 years of Don Bosco made by the RCM Primary School; a touching exhibit of Marian apparitions by the staff of the Dispensary; attractive representations of Mary in the New Testament; and a Marian garden by the Kindergarten.
The exhibit was partly presented live, allowing the school children to visit it throughout the day and increase their knowledge and devotion to Mary.
Also on 8 September, on the occasion of Day of the Child, the girls from the Boarding School had the opportunity to plant saplings in the courtyard, accompanied by the Sisters of the Community, as a significant gesture in honor of Mary.
