Media Release

Mangaluru, Jun 13: Dr Bernard Moras, the emeritus archbishop of Bengaluru archdiocese, switched on the decorated altar of St Anthony at Milagres Church and celebrated the thanksgiving Holy Mass on Tuesday, June 12 as the shrine completed 120 years. In his homily, Dr Moras said that the seed of devotion planted by Msgr M P Colaco has grown far and wide beyond imagination.

“St Anthony’s shrine at Milagres Church attracts people from all over India and even from abroad. Lot of people from around the globe have visited the shrine during the past 120 years and have received innumerable favours through the powerful intercession of St Anthony. People irrespective of caste and creed have prayed to St Anthony and have received blessings from God through his intercession. Besides the devotion, hundreds of destitute have been looked after for decades under the patronage of St Anthony at Jeppu. They have been supported by the devotees of St Anthony. St Anthony through the generosity of his devotees takes care of the little ones of Jesus at Jeppu ashram. Hence, it is an apt occasion to thank God for the gift of St Anthony to the universal church and to Mangaluru in particular,” he said.

At the end of the Mass, Dr Moras was felicitated as he had served the institutes from 1968 to 1970. He then felicitated the former directors and assistant directors who had served the institutes in the past.

Fr Onil D’Souza, the director of the institutes, conducted the novena. More than 2,000 people participated in the devotion and celebration.