Karkala: Sea of Devotees Throng Manjarpalke on St Antony's Annual Feast

Report and pics by Wilson Shirva
Daijiworld Media Network - Belman/Karkala (GA)

Karkala, Jun 13: Sea of devotees thronged St Antony's chapel at Manjarpalke near Belman here on the occasion of annual feast of St Antony on Saturday June 13.

The solemn Eucharist celebrated by Fr Baptis Menezes, Episcopal Vicar of Udupi began at 10.30 am. More than 15 priests including Fr Richard Coelho, dean of Shirva deanery and Fr Lawrence D'Souza, parish priest of Belman church concelebrated the Eucharist. 

The well-organized religious celebration was attended by thousands of devotees who thronged in from nearby parishes such as Pernal, Mudarangady, Palimar, Mundkur, Kelmbet etc.

St Antony's idol was brought to Manjarpalke a few years ago. It was kept in the house of a Catholic devotee for sometime, before a chapel dedicated to the patronage of St Antony was built at Manjarpalke. Now on the every first Tuesday of the month, Eucharistic celebration is celebrated here at 4.30 pm which is attended by members of St Antony ward and other nearby wards.

The Belman parish has set up a committee to oversee all the matters regarding the maintenance and for the smooth sailing of spiritual activities. Gregory Menezes, the Gurkar of St Antony's ward is leading this committee at present.