Novena to begin in Preparation for the Feast of Relic of Saint Anthony
Mangaluru: Addressing the media persons during a press meet held at Mangalore Press Club, Fr Onil D’souza- Director of St Anthony Charity Institutions-Mangaluru said, “The feast in honour of Relic of Saint Anthony will be celebrated on 15th of February. In preparation for the feast the nine days Novena will begin on 6th of February. The inauguration will be done by hoisting Saint Anthony’s Shrine flag at Our Lady of Miracles Church Milagres-Mangaluru. Rev Fr Franklin D’Souza, the director of Family Counselling Centre Shimoga will hoist the flag and celebrate the inaugural Mass at Milagres Church. Before hoisting the flag a vehicle rally will be held wherein decorated Saint Anthony’s Statue will be taken in procession from Saint Ashram Jeppu to Milagres Church via Kankanady circle, Falnir road, and culminating at Milagres Church ground”
“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. Renowned priests are invited to celebrate Holy Mass and preach homily on the theme marked according to the group dedicated for the day. The choir groups from nine different parishes will lead the singing on nine days of Novena.” added Fr Onil
Fr Francis D’Souza- the administrator of the Institution said, “The main festive Holy Mass will be celebrated by Most Rev Dr Aloysius Paul D’Souza on 15th February at 6 pm at Milagres Church ground. A Holy Mass in Malayalam will be celebrated by Most Rev Dr Varghese Chakkalakal Bishop of Calicut at 430 pm at Milagres Church. For the sake of sick and elderly a Holy Mass will be offered by Very Rev. Dr. Pius D’Souza, Episcopal Vicar for Religious at 8.15 am at Milagres Church. Rt Rev. Msgr Denis Moras Prabhu the Vicar General of the diocese will offer Holy Mass at 11 am at St Anthony’s Ashram Jeppu for the invitees and special invitees.”
Saint Anthony who lived in the thirteenth century, and after his death his tongue which is still fresh, is kept at Padua in Italy where he did most of his pastoral ministry. Saint Anthony is revered all over the world is invoked specially to find the lost articles.
Also present during the press meet was Vincent Mascarenhas the Diocesan Media Secretary.
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