Kundapur: Relic Feast of St Antony held at Kerekatte 

Daijiworld Media Network – Kundapura (MM/RD)
Pics: Prajwal Ukkuda

Kundapur, Feb 15: Feast of the relic of St Antony at the popular St Antony's Shrine at Kerekatte was held on Friday February 15.

To commemorate this occasion, the Holy Eucharist was celebrated by Msgr Denis Moras Prabhu, vicar general of Mangalore diocese along with Fr Francis Cornelio, parish priest of Byndoor, Fr Xavier Pinto, parish priest of Basrur and caretaker of St Antony’s shrine, Kerekatte and several other priests of Kundapur and Kallianpur deanery.   

Although, it had rained heavily on Thursday February 14 night, all the celebrations went on as planned, sources informed.

It is believed that the native peasants here had begun worshipping a wooden statue which was found in their paddy field, centuries ago.  Blessed Joseph Vaz, while on his visit to this area in 1684, recognized it as St Antony’s statue. Since then, Kerekatte has gradually developed into pilgrimage centre. Moreover, the picturesque surroundings of Kerekatte evoke the inner spirituality. A grand annual feast is held here on June 13.
 
Hundreds of devotees from various parts of the state paid visit to At Antony’s shrine, Kerekatte on Friday and offered their prayers to St Antony. 

Meanwhile, Msgr Denis Moras Prabhu launched new website of the shrine www.stantonykerekatte.com on the occasion.  The website has been developed by Daijiworld Media Pvt Ltd.