Media Release
Mangaluru, Feb 15: The ninth and final day of the Novena preparatory to the Relic Feast of St Anthony of Padua was observed with immense devotion at St Anthony’s Shrine, Milagres on Saturday, February 14 evening. The liturgy was centred on the resolute spiritual theme, ‘Speak with intention, not half-heartedly.’
A large congregation of devotees gathered for the Eucharistic celebration, offering special prayers for the nation and minority communities. The faithful prayed for peace and harmony in the country, and specifically for the protection and welfare of minority communities, asking God to grant them equal rights, dignity, and the freedom to practice their faith without fear.
Fr Santhosh Rodrigues, director of the Pastoral Centre, presided over the Holy Eucharist. In his homily, Fr Rodrigues reflected on the courage required in Christian speech. "To speak with intention means to speak with conviction and clarity. In a world where truth is often diluted, we cannot afford to be lukewarm or half-hearted. St Anthony was a fearless preacher who spoke the truth with purpose. We too must have the courage to speak up for justice and stand firm in our beliefs, ensuring our voice is used to build a nation of unity and respect for all," he asserted.
Aligning with the day's intention, the liturgy included special supplications for the nation's leaders and lawmakers, that they may uphold the constitution and protect the diverse fabric of 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 final Novena prayers were led by Fr Nishanth Rodrigues, invoking the intercession of St Anthony. The Bajal parish choir enriched the liturgy with melodious hymns, fostering a prayerful atmosphere at the shrine.
With the conclusion of the nine-day Novena, the Ashram is now fully prepared for the grand celebration of the Relic Feast on Sunday.
The highlight of the upcoming festivities:
Feast day schedule – Sunday, February 15:
The Relic Feast is being celebrated with several solemn services throughout the day:
• 6:00 am: Festal Mass at St Anthony Ashram, Jeppu, celebrated by Fr Rajesh Rosario, rector, St Joseph Seminary, Jeppu.
• 9:30 am: Solemn Festal Mass at St Anthony Ashram, Jeppu, celebrated by Msgr Maxim L Noronha, vicar general, Diocese 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.