Daijiworld Media Network – Kundapur
Kundapur, Jun 10: Placed in the lush greenery of Malnad territory, St Anthony’s Shrine in Kerekatte is a place of hope for many devotees. The shrine herein is a holy place and has witnessed many miracles since a long time.
Kerekatte is a small village in Kundapur taluk on the way to Shivamogga. It is a place for the devotees to get out of worries of life, fulfil their wishes and needs. A Hindu farmer found a statue of St Antony here during his work. He handed over it to the parish priest of Kundapur church. But miraculously the statue was found in the same place the very next day. The people of Kerekatte kept the statue on the road side and started worshipping it.
The miraculous statue then attracted the attention of Joseph Vaz and it is believed that he blessed it and erected in a thatched shed. People started worshipping the statue in the same shed.
The then bishop of diocese of Mangaluru Dr Victor R Fernandes. Fr Aloysius Rosario, then parish priest of Basrur parish started to celebrate the feast of the shrine in a grand scale. In 1967, a prayer hall was built by Fr Placid Periera. late Bishop Dr Basil D’Souza proposed to build a 111 feet tall statue in a single granite stone. It was blessed in 1980.
Thousands of devotees from all over the state and even from the neighboring states visit the shrine every year. A lot of miracles have taken place here in this holy shrine of St Anthony.
The shrine under the leadership of Dr Gerald Issac Lobo, bishop, diocese of Udupi and rector Fr Xavier Pinto is all set to celebrate the feast of St Anthony on Thursday June 13. Every year, thousands of people throng to this holy place for the celebrations. St Anthony is a miraculous saint who has helped his devotees in need.
The shrine in Kerekatte is holistic place to the people of all religions. Even the Hindus and Muslims visit this place when in need. It is believed that St Anthony never lets his devotees down. The shrine is tremendously developed under the leadership of Fr Xavier Pinto.
The festive Mass on June 13 will be at 10:30 am. Dr Gerald Isaac Lobo, bishop, diocese of Udupi will be the chief celebrant. Priests of Udupi diocese will be the co celebrants. A Kannada Mass at 8:30 am will also be celebrated. A special Mass for the people with illness will be held at 4 pm on the same day.
Every Tuesday, Novena prayers are held at the shrine from 10 am. Adoration of the Holy Eucharist is also celebrated during Novena. Special prayers to the needy people is held during Novena. Fellowship meal to the devotees also served during weekly Novena prayers.
In preparation to the feast, 3-day novena prayers will be held from June 10 to June 12 every day at 10:30 am.
The place which provides peace of mind to the devotees and solution to all their problems is increasing its holiness day by day. Every vehicle passing in this road is halted and prayers are offered in this place. As the shrine is preparing to celebrate the fest of St Anthony, rector of the shrine Fr Xavier Pinto has given a cordial invitation to all the devotees of St Anthony. Fellowship meal will be served after the festive Mass.
For more information contact:
Fr Xavier Pinto, rector
St Anthony Shrine, Kerekatte
Ph: 08259 288310, 94481 67077