Chennai: 'Velankanni Walking Pilgrimmage' turns 26 glorious years


News: Ivan Saldanha

Chennai, Oct 29: Indeed it takes the breath away to hear from friends in Chennai, formerly Madras, who have been doing a holy 'walking pilgrimage' to Velankanni around end August every year, for the last 26 years at least, since 1993 to reach the Velankanni shrine on the day of the flag hoisting. There may be a few other groups around too. The inspiring faith of people even in these uncertain times is worth admiring and may be emulating in some ways, the rewards are deep. One known and very inspiring personality in this regard is a staunch devotee of mother Mary in several forms - but, here Our lady of Health, Velankanni is the focus. The protagonist leader here with very supportive dedicated mates of 26 vintage voyages is Russell Lowe. The facts were put down in a brief by his younger son Kenneth Lowe, a professional in Australia, in a blend of information adapted to inspire one's imagination wherever one is.



'Captain':

Russell Lowe is an amazing personality now in his mid 60s, the group of walkers fondly call him 'Captain'. This incredible feat of faith and hope over the last 26 consecutive years, with 'The Madhavaram Group' (an area in North Chennai), is Godly love, immeasurable. This 'Captain' has devoutly made the pilgrimage to Velankanni shrine from Chennai (only one way - outward) covering 317 km in 10 days at a battle pace of more than 30 km a day. Calculating over 26 trips are equivalent to the distance of 8,242 km - Kanyakumari to Srinagar, Google says is a 3,476 kms, a walk that would take about 116 days at this pace.

'Capt' Russell and his wife Carol have two sons - The first is Gary and the second is Kenneth, both in Australia. Kenneth said that his mom Carol, though 'small' to behold is as towering a personality as Russell; he adds, "My mom Carol's role in this is real, praying, offering words of wisdom and showing that she cares in every act of hers. It is likely the 'power house' for dad Russell's commitment at all times." When Kenneth's older brother Gary did his first walk in 2007 with his dad Russell and the group, every time Kenneth called him on the phone, he was filled with sighs of exhaustion, pain and tiredness. In comparison, when he would hand the phone over to his dad, who was doing his 15th consecutive walk despite his polio stricken right leg, he never showed physical or mental strain of walking in such circumstances.

Kenneth, the spokesman, goes on to say that though he never joined dad Russell on this walk or made any walk of significance, it is impossible not to appreciate and admire any person who overcomes physical and social obstacles through sheer force of will and faith and continue this awesome yearly pilgrim journey. It will be hard to forget the 'Captain and crew' that helped shape this voyage of love over many years for those that follow on.

The protagonist 'Captain' Russell Lowe in real life, managed FCI's (Food Corporation of India) supply chain operations for south India; the logistics and technical innovations he planned and executed, would leave even seasoned technocrats open mouthed it seems. To smoothen the many sharp nitty gritties and ease human struggles on such walking challenges travel kits, guides and planned arranged food, shelter, prayers and mass at pre-marked checkpoints were indeed a God sent haven.

Mates and Helmsman:

Russell's faith and devotion to mother Mary and the love and total support from his wife, Carol Lowe, whose participation in the planning and coordination is a contribution beyond value - Behind every man there is a woman - Here we see two; the blessed mother and Carol! The Captain's crew expresses their experiences on the road to Velankanni.

Dr Theo Rodrigues, one of Russell's oldest and dearest friends, with deep medical knowledge convincingly said that after 22 years he has been with Russell on this rare pilgrimage, if 'Captain' Russell had not been the motivator-in-chief, many like him would never have been in this pilgrim effort so much. "We had only to look at his polio stricken leg, to get courage and never drop out.....to persist in spite of all odds and continue walking 'the spirit is strong even if the body is spent'. Russell has been an inspiration to so many, an administrator and divine strategist. His constant working for many years to improve the walk, has developed it into an increasingly prayerful, sacrificial and holy exercise which is guided by the divine mother. The group stands out because, during the walk, it is so arranged that the 'holy Eucharist' is offered for the members each day at specific points. This great sustenance is due to Russell's consistent efforts to bring more people closer to the Lord 'to Jesus through Mary'" he points out.

Another long time crew member on the voyage is the other Russell - Russell Vanderputt - Who is all praise for his namesake and 'Capt' over the years, for having planned every year the walk to make it spiritually and psychologically an experience to be more blessed with prayer and good works. Under the 'Captain's' guidance, planning and personal care contributed to greater things and has did a lot of good especially for those underprivileged boys and men who wanted to make the walk but never had the support.

Brendon Gozmao, now in Australia, who was with 'Captain' Russell on his very first walk 1993, recalled, "Uncle Russell is always like the good shepherd, guarding and taking care of all the sheep not only on pilgrimage, but consistently. Food is always organised for the walkers on the way and aunty Carol's amazing off scene contribution and support in every detail just cannot be forgotten. I recall how Captain Russell unexpectedly dislocated his shoulder midway, after minimum medication and arm in a sling he heroically finished the walk. It spelt out his commitment in graphic terms to all the group who were stunned and strengthened," Russell said that for the 25th anniversary walk in August 2018, Brendon managed to land in India while the group was in Karaikal. He insisted on joining the group at Karaikal and devoutly finished at the feet of Our Lady of Health, with the others.

Another core member of the walking pilgrims group to the feet of Our Lady of Velankanni, is Kennedy Philbert. He explained well that this blessing for him came about in the year 2003. "In all reality it was a call from on High and I met 'Captain' through Dr Theo. I told him that I was interested in walking with the group. After all the preparations, the big day arrived. The walk began and I was astonished to see a huge man like Russell walking with the same zeal and enthusiasm like a fit youngster. A sight to inspire anyone and the not so young." Kennedy then recalled, "Capt Russell always encouraged youngsters to join the group saying it was the only way to make sure the glorious tradition continues in future too."

Barrington Jude Rosario, one of the members of the group, made his first walk in 2006 which became a lifetime methodology. "The struggles, the challenges in being a first time walker were quite overwhelming and at times even tempting to quit midway. He pointed to Uncle Russell's gentle support, encouragement and inspiration to go on. I completed my first walk successfully and thereafter made it for quite a few more pilgrim walks - And my life became a perpetual pilgrimage of joy."

26 voyages later:

It is evident that everyone one who took any part in even one of the 26 pilgrim walks of 10 days, from 1993 to 2019, gained more than can be calculated....their general outlook was broadened, they experienced faith, hope, charity, humility affection, happiness....and more such things by just observing places, people and situations one day after the other. They walked from sunrise to sunset and rested at night at earmarked places with basic facilities.....it was a test at all times.

Russell Lowe was a towering figure, spiritually and physically too. He never failed to enquire about the well-being of all around and draw out any problems they faced with health, or in general; his very positive, prayerful and jovial attitude made all comfortable and well- adjusted at every juncture of the pilgrim marathon walk. 'Captain' Russell's meticulous planning of the walk, virtually every step of which was praise and prayer to the Lord and supplication to mother Mary, commences in June and he personally visits places of stay upto Pondicherry with two or three core members to ensure that his pilgrim group would smoothly have all that is required enroute during the walk.

"I recall apart from Russell being a classmate and close associate of my brother Raymond, his parents are well-known to my parents too. His father Ivan Lowe was a towering leader in the parish shrine of Our Lady of Lourdes, Perambur Chennai (then Madras) in the 1960s and 70s. Later my parents moved. Ivan Lowe's family too had moved nearby then. No, doubt all the positive fun and frolic of the early times as kids and youth, equipped all of these super pilgrims with a synergy deep, durable and service oriented, integral to good work for God and country."

In and around Mangaluru and Goa, the strong Catholic identity of 500 years, is evident. Walking pilgrimages purely on foot are not visible. Yes, our pilgrims are always travelling to holy places these days by all modes of transport...The Holy Land and European shrines are very popular; locally Kerala, Velankanni and Karkala to some extent. They dwell in the attendant hi-life, holiday culture on such 'pilgrimages' commonly. Though holy places just around Mangaluru/Kanara are not so popular, we need to introspect. A deeper awareness of the 'holy land' around and near us, is a need of the times.

  

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Comment on this article

  • Jude, Chennai

    Wed, Mar 04 2020

    I'm planning to walk from Chennai to velankani during first week of April 2020. Does any group walk during that time. If so please provide their contact

    Jude Richard
    9566155445

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  • Agnel Serrao, Bangalore

    Tue, Oct 29 2019

    Capt Russel, through his deep faith and passion, has been able to transform many to join in his annual pilgrimage. His meticulous planning, including enabling the pilgrims to recieve the Holy Communion daily, speaks volumes. May all of you be blessed with abundance of grace, faith, determination and stamina to fulfill your missions each year. Best wishes too.

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  • Felix, Udupi / Muscat

    Tue, Oct 29 2019

    I have seen a group from Belle walk upto Karkala church on the evening, a day before the feast, i.e. Tuesday.

    DisAgree Agree Reply Report Abuse


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Title: Chennai: 'Velankanni Walking Pilgrimmage' turns 26 glorious years



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