Media release
Pics: Stanly Bantwal
By Anvita D'Cunha
Mysuru, June 14: The annual feast of St Anthony was celebrated with great devotion and grandeur at St. Anthony's Basilica, Dornahalli (Diosese of Mysore) marking a significant day for the faithful.
The origins of this holy basilica trace back to around 1800 AD when a farmer discovered a miraculous statue of St Anthony while ploughing his Raagi field. Despite initial scepticism and facing many hardships, the farmer received a vision instructing him to build a shrine on the site.
With the assistance of a visiting Christian priest who recognized the statue as St Anthony of Padua, the shrine was erected. Since then, St Anthony's Basilica has become a revered place of worship, drawing countless devotees who come to seek blessings and miracles attributed to St Anthony.
Around 220 years ago, a farmer while tilling his field, found a wooden statue which was found to have miraculous powers. In the days to come, it was revealed that it was the statue of St. Anthony of Padua. Devotees started visiting this place in large numbers and obtained great favours.
In order to facilitate the devotees to pray and show their reverence to St Anthony, a small shrine was built in the year 1920, by the Parish priest Fr S D’Silva with the generosity and help of the erstwhile Dewan at the Mysore Palace, Shri Thambu Chetty, and his brother Dharmaraj Chetty.
In the years to come, the number of pilgrims visiting the shrine because of the miracles taking place increased manifold, it was then decided to construct a spacious and beautiful church by the then Parish Priest Fr I H Lobo, and hence construction started in the year 1964. The newly constructed, spacious, beautiful church was blessed and inaugurated on the June 13, 1969 by His excellency Dr Matthias Fernandez, who was the Bishop of the Diocese of Mysore.
On October, 17, 2019, by the Divine blessings of The Almighty, the Church was granted the status of “Minor Basilica” by His Holiness Pope Francis which is a matter of great joy to all the Devotees.
On June 9, 2020, Dr K A William Bishop of Mysore officially announced the Minor Basilica and offered the Thanksgiving Mass.
The annual feast day on June 13 was filled with a series of masses and spiritual activities, beginning as early as 5 am. Fr N T Joseph, Rector of St. Anthony's Basilica, commenced the day with the first Mass in Kannada. This was followed by another Kannada Mass at 6 am led by Fr Anthony Raj J, Parish Priest of St Theresa's Church, Doddarayapete.
At 7 am, an English Mass was conducted by Fr Joseph Marie J, the director of the Catholic Center, Mysuru. The morning continued with a Kannada Mass at 8 am by Fr Manuel D'Souza, Director of St Joseph's Hospital, Mysuru.
The highlight of the day's celebrations was the Festive High Mass at 10 am in Kannada, officiated by Dr Bernard Moras, Apostolic Administrator of the Diocese of Mysuru. This Mass drew the largest congregation, with devotees gathering in large numbers to participate in the solemn ceremony.
Following this, at 11:30 am, a Tamil Mass was held, led by Fr Madalai Muthu, Principal of St. Anne's PU College, Virajpet. The afternoon services included an English Mass at 1 pm by Fr Charles Serrao OCD from Pushpashrama, Mysuru, and a Kannada Mass at 3 pm by Fr. Balaraj, Parish Priest of Infant Jesus Church, Balnagar.
The celebrations continued into the evening with a Kannada Mass at 4 pm, and at 5:30 pm, another Kannada Mass was led by Fr Mari Raj, Parish Priest of St Joseph's Church, Mandya, along with Fr Xavier M., Parish Priest of Sacred Heart Church, Yadavagiri. The day concluded with a grand car procession and benediction of the Holy Eucharist, bringing together the faithful in a display of communal reverence and unity.
The smooth conduct of the feast day was made possible by the dedicated efforts of numerous individuals and groups. Overall in charge of the peace system were Fr N T Joseph and Fr Praveen Pedru. The flag hoisting ceremony was managed by Fr Vijay Kumar.
Liturgical arrangements and announcements were overseen by Fr Yesu Prasad and the Sisters of JMJ and SRA. Accommodation for priests and religious, along with campus maintenance, was handled by the Sisters of SRA, the Carmelite Fathers and Brothers of Pushpashrama, capuchin fathers and brothers, prabhodhana fathers and brothers, Bethany sisters and Fr Avinash for food arrangements during the feast day and novena days.
Religious stall arrangements were coordinated by Fr Pakia Raj and the Sisters of Bethany from Dornahalli and K R Nagara. Police in charge was Fr Madalai Muthu. Confessions and their arrangements were managed by Fr Maria Xavier, along with the Carmelite, Capuchin, and Prabhuduana Fathers and Brothers. Decoration and car processions were organized by Fr Madalai Muthu, Fr Joseph Mari, Fr Praveen Pedru, and Fr Sebastian Alexander.
Healthcare services were provided by Fr Manuel and the staff of St Joseph's Hospital. The event also received significant support from the MLA of K R Nagar, Ravi Shankar, and various government departments.
St Anthony's Basilica stands as a testament to unwavering faith and the countless blessings received by those who come to seek St Anthony's intercession. The annual feast day continues to be a significant spiritual event, celebrating the enduring legacy and miraculous power of St Anthony.
Basilica Rector Fr N T Joseph, Basilica administrator Fr Praveen Pedru thanked everyone for their support and co-operation.