Pics: Ramesh Pandith
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (RJP)
Mangaluru, Feb 16: The annual feast of St Anthony’s Relic was celebrated at Milagres church grounds on Sunday, February 15 in the presence of thousands of faithful.
Dr Henry D’Souza, bishop of Ballari was the main celebrant of the holy mass which started at 6 pm. Priests from city deaneries as well as from outside took part in Eucharist.
Dr Henry D’Souza in the introductory address said, "We are here to thank God for all the favours we have received from him. That is our duty. We cannot count the blessings as they are numerous. Let us also ask for forgiveness for the sins we have committed."
During the homily Dr Henry D’Souza narrated life stories of two great people, Dag Hammarskjold and St Anthony of Padua.
"Dag Hammarskjold was the general secretary of United Nations who died in a plane crash in Africa in 1961. He was one of the greatest messengers of peace. Dag wrote in his writings that ‘I will walk because I have a taken a step. I should not stop moving further’. He died while on a peace mission," said Dr D’Souza.
"St Anthony died young at the age of only 35. But by that time, he had achieved great things. His actual name was Fernando and he belonged to the order of Augustinians. When he saw five Franciscan fathers' beheaded bodies arriving in Portugal from Morocco, he was not shaken as a priest. Instead he decided to join the Franciscans and became one leaving the previous order. After that he even went to Morocco to serve people. He became sick and on his way landed in Italy instead of Portugal as his ship was blown off course. There his mission was waiting for him. He is one of the few saints who attained sainthood within a year of death. He was an authority on Bible and scriptures. People nowadays ask why one should read the Bible. It is like child carrying water in a basket again and again - the basket does not hold water, but in the process, it gets clean," Dr D’Souza explained.
Fr Onil D’Souza the director of St Anthony’s charitable institutes in Jeppu thanked all the people who helped them to hold the celebration in such a big scale. All the donors who helped were presented candles.
Fr Valerian from Milagres, Fr Francis D’Souza from St Anthony Charitable Institutes, Fr J B Crasta, dean of city episcopal deanery and Fr Henry Sequeira, chancellor of diocese were present among others.
Dr Henry D’Souza blessed the baskets of bread which were distributed to all devotees who gathered at the ground for the celebration.
Alwyn conducted the pleasing choir and Cyprian Vas rendered music.
This was the first time the feast of St Anthony was celebrated in the open ground.