Mangaluru: St Anthony’s Annual Feast celebrated at Milagres Church

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangaluru, June 14, 2019: Most Rev Dr Peter Paul Saldanha the Bishop of Mangalore celebrated the festive Mass at 6 p.m. at Milagres, June 13 in honour of St Anthony. Rain and thunder did not deter the trong of devotees always crowding to this miraculous shrine. Many  priests from and around the city concelebrated the Mass.

 

 

 

 

The Bishop in his stirring message said, "St Anthony during his life time lived the teachings of Jesus in an exemplary manner attracting people from all over, the same continues here today. The ancient saint, saw God in the poor and the needy. God had endowed St Anthony with the power of performing miracles. He used it for the good of people. He understood how people worshipping God were in need. Almost 800 years after St Anthony left the world to be united with God, he continues to intercede for people and bless them.  When we try to live as St Anthony did we honour St Anthony and celebrate the feast in a more real sense."

Rev Father Valerian D’Souza the Parish Priest of Milagres Church preached a homily on the occasion. Father Valerian has been always supportive of the Ashram and extended whole hearted co-operation whenever Ashram conducted Spiritual activities at Milagres Church. Hence the Bishop on this occasion offered a memento on behalf of the Ashram. The Director of the Ashram and the devotees wished him well in his new assignment as the Parish Priest of Infant Jesus Church Bantwal.

The other festive masses of the day and were offered by: Rev Fr Valerian Lewis the Parish Priest of Katipalla offered Mass at 8.15 am at Milagres, Fr Francis D’Souza the Spiritual Director of St Joseph Seminary offered mass at Ashram at 11 a.m. and Fr Augustine Thekkepookembil the Principal of St Don Bosco School Manjeshwar offered mass in Malayalam at 4.30 p.m. at Milagres.  All the masses saw packed attendance.

Fr Onil D’Souza thanked all those who contributed to make the feast successful. The Assistant Directors of Ashram Fr Thrishan D’Souza, Fr Roshan D’Souza and devotees in thousands participated in the celebration.  There were also several other celebrations in and around city churches on this great annual feast day on June 13.