Pics: Justin D’Silva
Daijiworld Media Network - Karkala (JD)

Karkala, Jun 11: The relic of St Antony was brought to St Antony’s Shrine, Pakala here on Sunday, June 10 in a splendid procession from St Joseph Church, Belman.

Addressing the gathering, Fr Edwin D’Souza, parish priest of St Joseph Church and director of the shrine said, “Today is a historic day for us. This relic has been given by the provincial of Padua, Italy. He has also certified this. Our shrine is famous not only in our diocese but also in Italy. This relic will help us to connect with St Antony and invoke his blessings. St Antony will stay with us through this relic."

Fr Sebastian D’Cruz read out the official proclamation of the relic sent from Italy in Latin language. Fr Edwin D’Souza read the same in Konkani. Fr Reginald Pinto, director of Sampada was the main celebrant for the Eucharistic celebrations.

In his homily, Fr Reginald said, "A relic is a part of a saint’s body or a piece of his possession. The Holy Bible also mentions about relic. Many ill people have healed by touching Jesus Christ’s cloth. This is an instance to show the power of relic. The catechism of the church says that when we get blessings from relics, saints are connecting a bridge between us and God.

“St Antony is a mediator between us and God. This relic is holy but not God. It helps us to come very close to God. St Antony died in 1231. Thirty years of his death, he was declared as saint. Some parts of his body were found after 32 years of his death. A piece of his tongue is still there in Padua, Italy. St Antony himself has come from Padua to Pakala to live here,” he said.

The shrine here is a holy place for the devotees of St Antony. From the past 46 years, many miracles have taken place here. Every year, thousands of people visit this place and get blessings. This place is a holy place even for non-Christians. There are two shrines dedicated to St Antony in Udupi diocese.

Novena prayer prior to the feast of St Antony also began on the same day. The feast of St Antony will be celebrated in a grand manner on June 13. Dr Gerald Issac Lobo, bishop of Udupi diocese will preside over the festive mass.

Large number of devotees took part in the procession of the relic. They were were allowed to take the blessings of the relic. Fr Prakash Menezes, assistant parish priest, Fr Cyril Agera of Orissa diocese were the co-celebrants.