Media Release
Mangaluru, Jun 10: The first day of the Triduum preceding the annual feast of St Anthony of Padua was held on June 10 at St Anthony Shrine, Milagres Church.
Fr Joachim Fernandes, diocesan secretary, Small Christian Community (SCC), Bajjodi celebrated the Eucharistic and prayed forthe sick along with Fr J B Crasta and Fr Avinash Pais, St Anthony Ashram, Jeppu.
Fr Joachim preached on the theme 'Word of God is food for the soul'. He said, “Word of God is essential to our life. We cannot live without it. Without God’s Word, we are weak, ignorant vessels, losing our way in this complex world. It is through the Word of God that our mind is renewed, enabling us to discern what the good, acceptable, and perfect will of God is for our life."
At the end of the Mass, Fr Avinash Pais, assistant director of the Ashramled the novena in honour of St Anthony, during which the special intercession of the session was sought for the various needs and prayer intentions of the devotees.
Choir members of Milagres parish led the choir and joined in the thanksgiving. Payasam (sweet dish) was served to all the devotees who attended the devotion.
The annual feast of St Anthony will be on Tuesday, June 13. Dr Ignatius Dsouza, bishop of Bareilly and Dr Peter Paul Saldanha, bishop of Mangalore will be the main celebrants for the main festive Holy Mass at Jeppu Ashram and Milagres Church respectively.
The concluding celebrations of the post centenary silver jubilee of St Anthony’s Charitable Institutions will coincide on the same day.