Stanley Bantwal

Mangaluru, Jun 14: Dr Peter Paul Saldanha, bishop of Mangaluru diocese, celebrated the festive Mass at 6 pm at Milagres Church on June 13 in honour of St Anthony. Number of priests from and around the city concelebrated the Mass.

The Bishop in his message said that St Anthony during his life time tried to live the teachings of Jesus. He saw God in the poor and the needy. God had endowed St Anthony with the power of performing miracles. He used it for the good of people. He understood helping people worshipping God. It is almost 800 years now since St Anthony left the world to be united with God. He continues to intercede for people and bless them with the favours they are in need of. When we try to live as St Anthony did we honour St Anthony and celebrate the feast in real sense.

Fr Valerian D’Souza, parish priest of Milagres Church, preached a homily on the occasion. Fr Valerian has been always supportive of the Ashram and extended whole hearted co-operation whenever Ashram conducted Spiritual activities at Milagres Church. Hence the Bishop on this occasion offered a memento on behalf of the Ashram. The Director of the Ashram and the devotees wished him well in his new assignment of being the parish priest of Infant Jesus Church Bantwal.

The other festive masses of the day and were offered by Fr Valerian Lewis, the parish priest of Katipalla, offered Mass at 8.15 am at Milagres, Fr Francis D’Souza the Spiritual Director of St Joseph Seminary offered mass at Ashram at 11 am. and Fr Augustine Thekkepookembil the Principal of St Don Bosco School Manjeshwar offered mass in Malayalam at 4.30 pm at Milagres.

Fr Onil D’Souza thanked all those who contributed to make the feast successful. The Assistant Directors of Ashram Fr Thrishan D’Souza, Fr Roshan D’Souza and devotees in thousands participated in the celebration.