Preparation for the feast of Relic of Saint Anthony, February 6

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangaluru, Feb 05, 2019: The feast in honour of Relic of Saint Anthony will be celebrated on February 15, Friday. In preparation for this  feast the nine days Novena begins on February 6, Wednesday.

The inauguration will be done by hoisting Saint Anthony’s Shrine flag at Our Lady of Miracles Church Milagres. Rev Paul Melwyn D’Souza ofm cap, of St Anne Friary Bejai will hoist the flag and celebrate the inaugural Mass at Milagres Church.

 Prior to hoisting the flag a vehicle rally will be held; the decorated Saint Anthony’s Statue will be taken in procession from Saint Anthony Ashram Jeppu to Milagres Church via Kankanady circle, Falnir road. Rev. Fr Anish P.V. Parish Priest of St Antony’s Jacobite Syrian Cathedral Jeppu will flag off the really and with a prayer and short message at the Ashram.

Nine days of Novena are dedicated for different groups of people like-youth, children, married people, sick, elderly, religious, leaders etc. Special prayers will be offered for these various groups of people. Well known priests will celebrate Holy Mass and preach homily on
the theme group dedicated for the day. The choir groups from nine different parishes will lead the singing on nine days of Novena.

The Feast Day - February 15, Friday :

At 8.15 am - Holy Mass will be offered by Rev Fr Maxim D’Souza, Professor St Joseph Seminary Jeppu at Milagres Church.  

At 11 am : Rt Rev. Msgr Maxim Noronha the Vicar General of the Diocese will offer Holy Mass at St Anthony’s Ashram Jeppu for special invitees.

At 4.30 pm - A Holy Mass in Malayalam will be celebrated by Rev Dr Joy Putheveettil from Allepy Diocese at Milagres Church. For the  sick and elderly

At 6 pm - The main festive Holy Mass will be celebrated by Most Rev Dr Aloysius Paul D’Souza the Bishop Emeritus of Mangalore on at 6 pm at Milagres Church ground.  

The tongue of Saint Anthony who lived in the thirteenth century is still fresh and kept at Padua  in Italy where his pastoral ministry was focused. Saint Anthony is revered all over the world and   invoked specially to find lost articles.

Drama/play : February 14, the eve of feast  after the Novena Holy Mass, a one hour 2D drama ’Santh Anthoni, Potr Potik Pavoi’ (Saint Anthony, guide  my letter to my husband) will be staged in the open ground. It is a drama based on the miracle that happened in the 17 th century. After this miracle became known people started writing S.A.G. (Saint Anthony Guide) on the letter asking Saint Anthony to guide the letter safely to the person addressed. The Drama is written by Clarence Pinto Padil and directed by Vincent Fernandes of ‘Mogachi Lahra’ fame.

Fr Onil D’Souza the director of the Institutes, Fr Thrishan D’Souza the Asst director, Mr Vincent Mascarenhas media coordinator were present on the occasion.