Media Release
Mangaluru, Feb 11: The sixth day of the Novena preparatory to the relic feast of St Anthony of Padua was observed with deep reverence at St Anthony’s Shrine, Milagres on Wednesday evening, February 11, 2026. The liturgy was centred on the gentle spiritual theme, "Speak with humility, not with pride."
A large congregation of devotees gathered for the Eucharistic celebration, offering special prayers for lay leaders and ministers who serve in the Church. The faithful prayed for the gurkars, ward representatives, parish council members, and all lay faithful who have taken up leadership roles, asking god to grant them wisdom and a spirit of humble service.
Fr Alwyn Richard D'Souza, director of the Family Life Service Centre, presided over the holy Eucharist. In his homily, Fr D'Souza reflected on the virtue of humility in our daily communication. "Pride builds walls between people, but humility builds bridges. When we speak with arrogance, we distance ourselves from god and our neighbour. However, when we speak with child-like simplicity and humility, our words have the power to heal and unite. St Anthony, known for his eloquent yet humble preaching, teaches us that true wisdom comes from a humble heart," he stated.
Aligning with the day's intention, the liturgy included special supplications for those working towards women's empowerment. The congregation prayed that their efforts might bear fruit in creating a safer, more just society for all women.
Fr J B Crasta, director of St Anthony Ashram, Jeppu, Fr Praveen Amrith Martis, administrator, Fr Gilber Dsouza, chaplain and Fr Nishanth Vivian Rodrigues, assistant director, concelebrated the Mass. Following the holy Eucharist, the Novena prayers were led by Fr Praveen Amrith, invoking the intercession of St Anthony for the intentions of the gathered devotees. The 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, 2026.
The highlight of the upcoming festivities:
Feast Day Schedule – Sunday, February 15, 2026:
The Relic Feast will be celebrated with several solemn masses throughout 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.