On Sunday, 30 November, the 2^nd Novitiate sisters together with the Community Sisters of Novitiate and Mazzarello Convent went for a pilgrimage to the Shrine of Dhori Mata, at Bokaro. It was a long journey of 4 hours.

The little black statue of our Lady was miraculously found in the coal mine by one of the laborer working there belonging to other faith. People seeing this black statue thought it to be the statue of the goddess  Kali started  to worship. Later on it was confirmed by one of the missionary fathers that it is the statue of  Our Lady, as no Hindu goddess  has any child being held in their hand. The people of the area wanted a shrine to be built  in her honour and the statue to be  installed. They  gave her  the title Dhori Matha               ( Black Lady)   Hundreds of people come to honour  Mary  irrespective of caste  and creed and all receive blessings. The coal miners consider her as their protector. The shrine is surround by the coal mines  and the entire area is black and covered  with black dust.

We spent our time in front of Dhori Matha praying the Holy Rosary fervently and with daughterly affection. On our way back we visited Tenughat Dam and enjoyed the cold breeze of the Dam water. We are happy to have visited Dhori Matha and to be blessed by her.

 Sisters of the Second Novitiate

Sr. Alitrice, Usha & Nilam