Thousands took part in the procession

 Shillong, Nov 11: Attired in their colourful best, thousand of Catholic faithful for all over the state and northeast joined the annual Eucharistic procession Sunday in Shillong. The atmosphere Sunday looked colourful as people in droves joined the procession singing choir and praying.

Besides the Catholic faithful, tourists also thronged the cathedral in Laitumkhrah and Don Bosco square to witness and have the feel of this religious occasion.

Meghalaya Governor Ranjit Shekhar Mooshahary and chief minister Mukul Sangma also greeted the people on the occasion.

Mooshahary in his message stressed on the need for tolerance among different religions.  He said, “We should learn to respect all religions. To achieve this noble objective, we should develop interest in reading other religious scriptures as they contain all the essential truths that would motivate people for a better life.”

Shillong Diocese archbishop Reverend Dominic Jala led the annual religious procession amd later joined by hundreds of enthusiastic people cutting across social barriers.

For the rural folks it is the best of the time in the year as all of them take time off to come to the city and join in the procession. Dressed in their best, they also get the opportunity to see Shillong.

The entire Shillong city looked like one big fair as make-shift food stalls serving delicious local foods suddenly sprang up in all the nook and corner of the city catering to the hundreds who otherwise would have to starve the whole day. These stalls did brisk business.
The annual procession took off from the Cathedral of Mary Help of Christians through the main streets of the city and culminated with the Holy Eucharistic celebration in front of the Calvary.

Small girls dressed like angels were the attraction as the adults could not help looking at their innocent and angel like faces. – By Our Reporter