Media Release
Mysuru, May 31: The globally renowned St Anthony's Basilica in Dornahalli is preparing to celebrate its annual feast of St Anthony, the Wonder Worker, on Friday June 13 with immense devotion and spiritual splendour.
The celebrations will begin on Wednesday, June 4, with the flag hoisting ceremony at 5:30 pm, led by Dr Bernard Moras, archbishop emeritus and apostolic administrator of the diocese of Mysore. A solemn Eucharistic Mass will follow, marking the beginning of the Novena days.
From June 5 to June 12, daily Novena Masses and preaching will be held, with English Mass at 7 am and Kannada Masses at 11 am and 5:30 pm. These days will serve as a time of deep reflection and preparation, drawing pilgrims into a spiritual atmosphere of grace and renewal.
The spiritual peak of the celebrations will arrive on Friday, June 13, with a solemn festive high Mass in Kannada at 10 am, again presided over by Dr Bernard Moras. Throughout the day, additional Masses in Kannada, English, and Tamil will be offered, allowing devotees from various regions and linguistic backgrounds to participate and receive the powerful intercession of St Anthony of Padua.
This beautiful tradition is not just a celebration but a continuation of a powerful spiritual legacy that began over 220 years ago. According to local history, a farmer discovered a wooden statue while ploughing his land in Dornahalli. The statue was soon identified as that of St Anthony, and many who came in faith began to witness miracles and divine favours. Word spread rapidly, and Dornahalli became a sacred destination for thousands of devotees.
To support this growing devotion, Fr S D’Silva, the parish priest at the time, constructed a small shrine in 1920, with the generous support of Thambu Chetty, dewan of the Mysore Palace, and his brother Dharmaraj Chetty. As the number of pilgrims increased and miraculous experiences multiplied, the need for a larger church was recognised. In 1964, under the leadership of Fr I H Lobo, construction of a new church began. It was blessed and inaugurated on June 13, 1969, by Dr. Matthias Fernandez, bishop of Mysore.
The shrine gained international recognition when, on October 17, 2019, the late Pope Francis declared it a Minor Basilica — a title of honour and distinction that highlights its importance as a centre of prayer and pilgrimage.
In keeping with this legacy of faith, miracles, and unity, Fr David Sagayaraj, rector, and Fr Praveen Pedru, administrator of St Anthony’s Basilica, Dornahalli, cordially invite all devotees, pilgrims, and families to come and be part of this holy celebration. With hearts full of faith, they welcome you to experience the peace, blessings, and powerful intercession of St Anthony.