Pics: Stanly Bantwal
Daijiworld Media Network – Mysore (EP)
Mysore, Jun 14: Thousands of people gathered for the annual feast of St Anthony that was celebrated with gaiety at Dornahalli in K R Nagar here on Friday, June 13.
The celebrations began with a Mass led by Dr Thomas A Vazhapilly, bishop of Mysore, in the presence of Fr Gilbert D' Silva, director of the shrine and other priests.
The bishop in his sermon said that St Anthony has granted good health to many people. “He was fond of the poor. He transformed the minds of the people by living in faith and proclaiming God's message. Jesus lives among us. The people coming to the shrine are filled with peace. St Anthony shows who actually is the true God through them.
"The shrine is an intermediary to pray to God. We should be grateful to God for having bestowed St Anthony to us. Our speech should be good and we should inculcate the teachings of God in our lives," he said. The mass in Tamil was offered by Fr John Abraham of the Archdiocese of Bangalore.
The novenas with holy masses held for nine days in preparation just before the feast were led by Fr Stany D' Souza, parish priest of Our Lady's Shrine, Harihar; Fr Sagaya Pushparaj, parish priest in the diocese of Mysore and Fr Sebastine, parish priest in the diocese of Bangalore.
Holy masses were offered throughout the day of the feast. The devotional programmes concluded with the devotion to the holy sacrament. The colourful car procession of St Anthony was set flagged off and blessed by Fr Gilbert D' Silva.
As every year, special preparations were made for devotees. Stalls of different religious items and entertainment attracted the people.
Fr Gilbert D'Silva thanked everyone for their cooperation. The support of Fr John Bosco, assistant director, priests, nuns, members of advisory committee and devotees helped to make the celebrations a grand success, he said.