Stanly Bantwal

Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru

Mangaluru, Jun 14: Bishop Dr Peter Paul Saldanha offered a holy mass at St Anthony Ashram, Jeppu on the annual feast of St Anthony.

On the occasion, the bishop in his homily said, "St Anthony filled with zeal to preach the Word of God toiled tirelessly throughout his short life of thirty six years. He walked miles not minding hunger, thirst and rest with the intention of spreading the Good News preached by Jesus. He enjoyed the intimacy with Jesus so much that Jesus appeared to him when he was deeply engrossed in prayer.

"His holy life attracted people and pleased God so much that he was canonized as a saint within a short period of eleven months. He continues to attract people even after his death and his intercession is considered very powerful especially when things are lost. It is a common belief among the people that if Saint Anthony is invoked when things are lost, he never lets them down but finds the same for them. He is also popularly known as ‘Wonder Worker’.

"As we honour this great saint let us pray to God through his intercession to be kind and merciful to the entire humanity which is wounded and hurt badly by the pandemic." He further called on the devotees to join hands in defeating the pandemic.

On the occasion of the feast of Saint Anthony, the ‘United Catholics’ Facebook page conducted a quiz on the life of Saint Anthony. The winners were declared by the bishop after picking the names from among those who wrote correct answers. The ashram also distributed food kits to the needy while celebrating the feast of its patron. Fr Onil D’Souza, the director of the ashram thanked all those who helped to celebrate the feast in a meaningful way. Fr Roshan D’Souza the assistant director conducted the novena.

Let us all join hands together in defeating the pandemic- the bishop.