Pics: Kevin Rodrigues
Daijiworld Media Network – Karkala (JD/KR)
Karkala, Jun 13: The 44th annual feast of St Antony at Pakala, Manjarapalke, Belman, known as 'Pakala Habba', was celebrated with joy and religious fervour on Tuesday June 13.
Fr Stany D’Souza, provincial, Jesuits Karnataka province presided over the Eucharistic celebration, while Fr Edwin D’Souza, parish priest of St Joseph Church, Belman, Fr Roy Lobo, assistant parish priest, and priests from the neighbouring churches and from the deanery were present.
In his homily Fr Stany D’Souza said, "Salt adds taste while light spreads brightness. We have to be like salt and light to the needy. Jesus is calling us to be salt and light. We have only one leader, and he is Jesus Christ. There is value to Jesus Christ's words.
"Today we are celebrating the St Antony's feast. When we recall about St Antony we remember his different miracles. When he was young he left home and joined priesthood. He lived a simple life.
"There are different ways of reading the Bible. There is strength in Jesus Christ's word. St Antony spoke to Jesus and spent time with him. He also mixed with people and listened to the needy. He is the bridge between us and Jesus," he said.
He also stressed on the importance of having a stable family in order to build a good life with virtues such as discipline, patience, open-heartedness, prayer and contentment.
In his thanksgiving note, Fr Edwin D’Souza thanked all the priests, Alwyn Ageira, vice-president, Paustine D’Souza, secretary of parish pastoral council and all the members, Gregory Menezes, vice-president, Gretta D'Souza, secretary in-charge of the committee of Pakala shrine and all the donors who helped in making the annual feast a grand event.
From June 10 onwards novena and mass were offered every day as a three-days tridum. On June 12, Msgr Dr Baptist Menezes, vicar general, diocese of Udupi, celebrated the mass. On the feast day, special evening prayers and mass were held presided over by Fr Herald Pereira. Prior to the Eucharistic mass, candles were distributed to all the donors.
Refreshment was provided. Nearly 4,000 devotees were present for the Eucharistic mass.
The annual feast of St Antony is being celebrated here for for the last 44 years, and every year the number of devotees who visit the Shrine has been increasing. The devotees thank St Antony for all types of miracles taking place in their lives and seek blessings.
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