Media Release
Mangaluru, Feb 10: The fifth day of the Novena preparatory to the relic feast of St Anthony of Padua was observed with great fervour at St Anthony’s Shrine, Milagres on Tuesday evening, February 10. The liturgy was centred on the touching theme, ‘Speak with affection, not with deceit.’
A large congregation of devotees gathered for the Eucharistic celebration, offering special prayers for children and youth. The faithful prayed for the younger generation, asking for divine guidance to help them navigate modern challenges, remain rooted in faith, and build a future filled with hope and integrity.
Fr Cyprian Pinto, parish priest of St Sebastian Church, Permannur, presided over the holy Eucharist. In his homily, Fr Pinto emphasised the transformative power of affectionate speech in nurturing relationships, especially with the youth. ‘In a world often filled with superficiality, our speech must be rooted in genuine love and sincerity. Deceit creates distance, but affection builds bridges. When we speak with love, we reflect the heart of Christ and inspire trust in the younger generation,’ he remarked.
Aligning with the day's intention, the liturgy included special supplications for the well-being and spiritual growth of children and youth. The congregation prayed that the youth might be protected from negative influences and inspired to become agents of positive change in society.
Fr J B Crasta, director of St Anthony Ashram, Jeppu, Fr Praveen Amrith Martis, administrator, and Fr Nishanth Vivian Rodrigues, assistant director, concelebrated the Mass. Following the holy Eucharist, the Novena prayers were led by Fr Cyprian Pinto, invoking the intercession of St Anthony for the intentions of the gathered devotees. The Permannur parish choir enriched the liturgy with melodious hymns, fostering a prayerful atmosphere at the shrine.
The Novena continues daily, leading up to the grand relic feast on February 15.
The highlight of the upcoming festivities:
Feast day schedule – Sunday, February 15:
The relic feast will be celebrated with several solemn services across the day:
6:00 am: Festal Mass at St Anthony Ashram, Jeppu, celebrated by Dr Praveen Martis SJ, vice chancellor, St Aloysius (Deemed to be) University.
9:30 am: Solemn Festal Mass at St Anthony Ashram, Jeppu, celebrated by Dr Aloysius Paul D’Souza, bishop emeritus of Mangalore.
11:00 am: Holy Mass in Malayalam at Milagres Shrine celebrated by Fr Eby Sebastian CST.
6:00 pm: The main grand festive Mass at Milagres Shrine, presided over by Bernard Moras, archbishop emeritus of Bangalore.
The ashram administration invites all devotees to participate in these spiritual exercises and seek the powerful intercession of St Anthony.