Thousands of Catholics expected in Benin to honour Virgin Mary

 Cotonou – Thousands of Roman Catholics from Africa
and Europe are expected on Thursday to arrive at
Dassa-Zoume, Benin, to participate in the 61st
edition of annual pilgrimage at La Grotte Marial
Notre Dame.
The President of Benin’s Episcopal Conference,
Bishop Antoine Ganye, said the 2015 pilgrimage
edition in honour of the Virgin Mary would be
presided over by Cardinal Robert Sarra from the
Vatican.
He said during the event that would run from Aug. 21
to Aug. 23, Sarra would preside over a major mass.
This, according to Gayne, is to pray for peace in all
African countries and others across the world that are
affected by terrorism.
Cotonou Archbishop Louis Parisot after the
appearance of Virgin Mary at La Grotte Marial Notre
Dame in Arigbo in 1954, suggested the site should be
set aside for the meeting of Catholics.
This is especially for those who cannot afford to go to
Rome or Lourdes in France.
For the last 61 years, Catholics from Africa and
Europe, have been meeting in Dassa Zoume to pray
to the Virgin Mary.