Feast of Relic of Saint Anthony celebrated with grandeur

Mangaluru: Most Rev Dr Aloysius Paul D’ Souza the Bishop Emeritus of Mangaluru celebrated the Holy Mass in honor of Relic of Saint Anthony on 15th February at 6pm at Milagres Church grounds. Bishop was accompanied by tens of con celebrant priests. Bishop in his message said that St Anthony is a great gift God has given to the Holy Church. If we live the values of St Anthony that is the true honor we give to St Anthony, he said.

Fr Roquin Pinto the professor at St Joseph Inter-diocesan Seminary Jeppu preached a homily on the virtues of St Anthony. In his sermon he pointed out that St Anthony made use of his tongue to preach the word of God and speak well of fellow human beings. God in return has preserved his tongue without decay. Its eight centuries now since St Anthony died to this world but his tongue has remained incorrupt. There is a message in this miracle. The message is if we use our tongue to praise God and to bring joy to  people through our encouraging words God is going to bless us in abundance. Fr Roquin called on the congregation to make use of the faculty of speech God has given in the right way.

At end of the festive mass Fr Clifford Fernandes the Parish Priest of St Joseph Seminary Jeppu prayed for the Covid affected world. Because of Covid 19 thousands have died around the world, thousands have fallen sick and million have become jobless. The economy of the world has crushed. Keeping this situation in mind Fr Clifford asked St Anthony to intercede to God for the world while the congregation prayed with lighted candles.

Fr OnilD’Souza the Director of the Ashram thanked all those who toiled to organize the feast and make it successful.

Photos by: Stanley Bantwal