Media Release

Mangaluru, Jun 12: Fr Charles Serrao of Mount Carmel Monastery, Bikarnakatta, offered the Holy Mass and preached a homily at St Anthony’s Ashram Jeppu on the thirteenth day of novena on Saturday June 12.

The theme of the day was 'Praying God’s mercy for the wayward people'.

Fr Charles said, "Today the Catholic Church celebrates the feast of Immaculate Heart of Mary. Mother Mary lived a life of dedication. She offered herself in the service of Jesus’ mission and submitted herself to the will of God. But today we see people making their wish and will the center of their life and go to the extent of neglecting God in their life. These people are in need of our prayers."

Fr Charles called on the devotees to pray for these people through the intercession of St Anthony that God be merciful to them and bring them back into His fold. Fr Roshan D’Souza, assistant director conducted the novena.

Feast Day

The annual solemn feast of St Anthony is celebrated all over the world June 13. On the feast day at Ashram there will be a Holy Mass in Konkani at 6 am and in Malayalam at 4 pm.

Bishop Dr Peter Paul Saldanha will celebrate the festive Mass at 6 pm. in Konkani. As people cannot attend the liturgical celebrations in the Church in person all these Holy Masses will be live streamed through television and social media.

On the occasion of the feast ‘The United Catholics’ facebook conducted a online quiz on the life of St Anthony. Immediately before the Holy Mass the Bishop will declare first, second , third and ten consolation prizes by picking the names from among those who wrote correct answers. The winners will have time to collect the prizes from the ashram office till September 8.

After the Holy Mass there will be a candle light procession with the decorated St Anthony’s statue in the ashram ground itself.