Report & Photos: Canara Communication Centre, Mangalore

Mangaluru, Feb 11: The St Anthony Shrine at Milagres Church in Mangaluru marked the sixth day of the novena preceding the annual relic feast of St Anthony of Padua on February 11, 2025.

The Eucharistic Mass was presided over by Fr Rupesh Madtha, editor, Raknno Konkani weekly along with Fr J B Crasta, director of St Anthony Charitable Institutions in Jeppu and Fr Avinash Pais, assistant director of the ashram.

Fr Rupesh’s sermon centred on the theme: "Penance, Sacrifice, and Abstinence: The Path to Becoming Pilgrims of Hope." He emphasized that to truly fall in love with God, one must embrace penance, sacrifice, and abstinence. By abstaining from sin, one draws closer to their loving God, he added.

"To cling to God and yearn for Jesus, these spiritual disciplines are essential— they fortify us as pilgrims of hope. Be ‘less’ in the world to be ‘more’ with God. Jesus remained steadfast in His journey because He rejected Satan, lived without sin, and remained deeply connected to His Father," he said. He urged the faithful to always keep their hearts longing for more of God.

Following the Mass, Fr Avinash Pais led the novena, with special prayers for pilgrims. The Choir members of Infant Mary Church, Bajjodi added a melodious dimension to the expressions of gratitude.

Active participation characterised the sixth day of the ongoing novena, set to continue until February 15, 2025. The communal spirit was heightened as attendees enjoyed the sweet dish, Payasam.

The highlight of the upcoming festivities:

The main celebrant for the main festive Holy Mass on February 15 at 6 pm at Milagres Church Grounds will be Dr Duming Dias, Bishop of Karwar. The theme for the feast is “Walk in the Footsteps of St Anthony, Embrace the Journey as Pilgrims of Hope.”

On the Feast Day, February 15, Mass in Konkani is scheduled at 6 and 9.30 am at St Anthony Ashram Jeppu. The anticipation builds for a day of spiritual significance and community celebration.