To Mark 120th Anniversary St Anthony’s Ashram to build Home for Mentally-Challenged
Mangaluru: Addressing the media persons during a press conference held at St Anthony’s Ashram Hall, Most Rev Aloysius Paul D’Souza, Bishop of Diocese of Mangaluru said, “To mark the 120th anniversary of St Anthony Shrine in Jeppu, Mangaluru, a foundation stone will be laid for a hundred-bed block for the mentally-challenged. As there is an urgent need for a mental asylum in this Ashram that houses hundreds of orphans since decades, there was considerable demand from families to have such a facility, as they cannot look after the mentally-challenged. So have decided to build a 100-bed facility for the mentally-challenged, where half of it will be dedicated to females. Thus we are helping the needy. Its new facility will have psychiatrists, nurses and caretakers.”
Also speaking during the press meet, Fr Onil D’Souza, director, St Anthony Charity Institutes said, “Saint Anthony’s Ashram will start TREDECINA (thirteen days Novena) on 31st May in preparation for the annual feast to be celebrated on 13th June. The timing of the devotion is at 11 am and will be held at Jeppu Ashram. The thirteen days novena comprises of Rosary, Adoration, Holy Mass and Novena. As an immediate preparation for the feast, TRIDUUM (three days) will be held for three days beginning from 10th June. The Triduum will be held at Milagres Church-Hampankatta, Mangaluru at 6 pm. It will start with flag hoisting at 5.30 pm on 10th June.”
“This year the feast will be celebrated on two days. The Shrine will complete 120 years on June 12th. Most Rev Dr Bernard Moras the Bishop Emeritus of Bengaluru will be the main celebrant of the Holy Mass. He had served the Ashram from 1968 to 1970 as an Asst Director. Priests who served the Ashram in the past will be concelebrating the Holy Mass on that day. Besides this, there will be a Holy Mass in the morning at 8.15 am at Milagres Church, at 11 am in the Ashram and 5 pm Holy Mass in Malayalam at Milagres. While June 13, being the feast day, Bishop of Mangaluru Diocese-Most Rev Aloysius Paul D’Souza, will preside over the holy mass at 10.30 am at the ashram. He will subsequently bless the foundation stone for a hundred-bed block for the mentally-challenged. On the same day, mass will be celebrated at 8.15 am at Milagres Church; at 4.30 p.m Holy Mass in Malayalam; and main festive Holy Mass at Milagres Church at 6 pm will be celebrated by Bishop Aloysius D’Souza” added Fr Onil.
Fr Onil also said that “Saint Anthony the Miracle Worker” a short play written and directed by John M Permannur, creation by Vincent Fernandes of Mogachi Lara fame will be staged on the occasion. “Miracles of Saint Anthony” a Souvenir published in memory of 120 years was released by the Bishop during the press conference. Fr Francis D’Souza, Fr Peter Gonsalves, Fr Trishan D’Souza of St Anthony’s Ashram; and Vincent Mascarenhas, Secretary of Diocesan Media Committee were present during Press Conference.
A brief history of St Anthony’s Ashram-Jeppu:
It was on June 12th 1898 Msgr. Michael Placid Colaco the then Asst Parish Priest of Milagres Church started Novena prayer to Saint Anthony. On the following day was the feast of Saint Anthony. A large number of people from around Mangalore gathered for the feast. Since then on every Tuesday Novena has been held in honour of Saint Anthony at the Shrine Altar at Milagres Church. People irrespective of caste and creed come to Saint Anthony in their need and he never sends them back empty handed. That is the strong belief of Saint Anthony’s devotees. The Saint is specially invoked when things are lost. It is believed that when things are lost and if Saint Anthony’s help is sought the lost things are found. It has been testified in number of cases by the devotees.
As the people received favours from the Saint the people in gratitude offered their mite in kind and cash. It was in turn distributed to the needy. Gradually houses were put up to house the destitute. In 1930 the land was purchased in court auction in which the present Ashram is situated. After purchasing the land houses were put up in the said land and the inmates were moved to the present location in 1936. The Institutes also fed hundred of hungry people every day during the World War-I when there was extreme poverty and people didn’t have enough food to eat. Rice was brought from Rangoon(Burma) to feed the hungry who used stand in long queue. At present there are 400 destitute sheltered at the Ashram. All their needs are taken care free of cost. People irrespective of caste and creed are looked after here
