Over 3 lakhs of pilgrims have reached Madhu Shrine and more pilgrims are still on the way for the Solemn Feast to be held on 14th & 15th August. " While His Lordship Thomas Savundranayagam Bishop of Jaffna together with 06 more Bishops will preside at the Solemn Vespers on 14th at 6.15 p.m., His Grace Archbishop Malcolm Ranjith the Archbishop of Colombo and also the President of the Catholic Bishops' Conference Sri Lanka, will preside at the Solemn Festive Mass on 15th August at 6.30 a.m. which will be sung in Sinhala, Tamil & Latin ", said the Vicar General of Mannar Very Rev. Fr. Victor Soosai.

His Lordship Bishop Rayappu Joseph together with his Priests in the diocese have prepared all the facilities needed for the pilgrims who are reaching the Madhu Shrine.Several other priests from Jaffna, Trincomalee-Batticaloa, from other dioceses and from Colombo have reached Madhu Shrine to assist in this Solemn Feast.

The theme chosen for this year is on "family" and Fr. Victor Cross said, 06 other Bishops will come for the Solemn Vespers and the Festive Mass.

His Lordship Bishop Winston Fernando SSS, the Chairman of the Laity Commission is conducting daily special programmes for the children, youth and families each day with the coordination of the diocesan Coordinators for the Family Apostolate.

The goverment has improved the other facilities around the Madhu Shrine including the public roads. There is also a special bus service operating from Colombo and Negombo to Madhu for the pilgrims.