Report & Photos: Canara Communication Centre, Mangalore

Mangaluru, Jun 8: The ninth day of the Tredicina devotion in honour of St Anthony of Padua unfolded with profound spiritual fervour at St Anthony Ashram, Jeppu, and St Anthony Shrine, Milagres Church, on Sunday, June 8.

The day’s theme, “Empowered by the Holy Spirit, pray and work for the freedom of the oppressed—be pilgrims of hope,” stirred the hearts of the faithful to recognise the liberating presence of the Spirit in their lives and to advocate for justice, healing, and compassion, especially for those in various forms of bondage.

At the 6 pm Mass at Milagres Church, the principal celebrant was Fr Chethan Lobo, Capuchin, editor of Sevak Monthly. In his powerful homily, Fr Lobo urged the congregation to open their hearts to the guidance of the Holy Spirit, drawing strength to bring light into the lives of the marginalised and the voiceless. Reflecting on the example of St Anthony, he invited the faithful to pray for the suffering and to be instruments of hope and freedom in today’s world.

The holy Mass was concelebrated by Fr J B Crasta, director of St Anthony’s Charitable Institutions, and Fr Praveen Martis, administrator of the Ashram.

Following the Mass, Fr Praveen Martis conducted the novena devotion, lifting up the prayers and petitions of the people to the miracle worker Saint Anthony, in an atmosphere filled with reverence and faith.

Earlier in the day, Masses were celebrated at 6:00 am and 11:30 am at St Anthony Ashram, Jeppu, with hundreds of devotees in attendance. As part of the Ashram’s mission of charity, free lunch was served to all who came for the novena.

St Anthony Ashram: A jubilee pilgrim centre in the year of hope

Recognised as one of the Jubilee Pilgrim Centres for the Year of Hope, St Anthony Ashram, Jeppu, invites the faithful to deepen their relationship with Christ through prayer, penance, and acts of mercy during this special time of spiritual renewal.

Triduum Preparation – June 10 to 12 A spiritual finale to the Novena

In anticipation of the feast, a special three-day Triduum will be held with sessions led by Fr Basil Vas, parish priest, Vorkady and Br Prakash D’Souza, Divine Mercy Konkani Charismatic Leader, Mumbai

Timings:

• Jeppu: 9 am – 1 pm

• Milagres Church: 4 pm – 7 pm

These sessions will feature praise and worship, the Word of God, Eucharistic adoration, spiritual talks, and healing prayers.

Daily Novena Schedule until June 12:

• St Anthony Ashram, Jeppu: 6 am & 11:30 am Masses with free lunch

• Milagres Church: 6 pm Mass followed by novena prayers

Feast of St Anthony of Padua – June 13:

At Jeppu:

• 6 am: Mass by Fr Rohith D’Costa, DBCLC director

• 10:30 am: Solemn festal Mass by bishop emeritus Aloysius Paul D’Souza

At Milagres Church:

• 8 am: Mass by Msgr Maxim L Noronha, vicar general

• 4:30 pm: Malayalam Mass by Fr Saho Abraham, director, Mount Carmel, Kannur

• 6 pm: Solemn concelebrated Mass by bishop Peter Paul Saldanha, bishop of Mangalore

The faithful are encouraged to continue their spiritual pilgrimage with St Anthony, allowing the novena days to transform their hearts, strengthen their families, and fill them with renewed hope and love.