Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi (JD)

Udupi, Jun 12: St Antony’s Shrine Belman is all set to celebrate St Antony’s feast on June 13. The shrine here is a holy place for all the localities and has an interesting past.

Fisherwomen used to rest at Parask D’Silva- a localit's house here. One day after their rest as they were preparing to leave, they tried to lift their baskets, but could not do so till they removed a wooden piece. They were then able to carry their baskets. That wooden piece turned out to be St Antony’s statue. As it was a Christian family’s house they began to worship the statue there. To enable the public to worship the statue, the present shrine was built in 1970.

The shrine is now under the administration of Belman Church. Fr Edwin D’Souza parish priest of Belman now looks after the shrine and manages it. Fr Roy Lobo assistant parish priest assists him. The shrine is located on Padubidri - Karkala state highway 1.5 km away from Belman.

At 5.30 pm On Monday June 12, the Holy Eucharistic mass will be held. Fr Baptist Menezes vicar general of Udupi diocese will be the main celebrant for the mass. On Tuesday June 13 the main mass of the feast will be at 10.30 am. Prior to this donors of the shrine will be honoured with candles at 10 am. Provincial of the Jesuits Karnataka region, Fr Stany D’Souza will offer mass as the chief celebrant. At 4 pm a special mass for sick people and special prayers will also be organized. Fr Herald Pierea, co-ordinator of 18 commissions Udupi diocese will celebrate the mass.

To develop the shrine, a plan to build a new church has been prepared. The foundation stone has also been layed for the project. Support and help from the devotees is looked to.

Fr Edwin D’Souza has invited all devotees to take part in Pakala Parba and to avail blessings from St Antony.