Media Release

Mangaluru, Feb 14: Ninth day novena in preparation for the feast of Relic of St Anthony was held at St Anthony’s Ashram, Jeppu.

Fr Francis D’Souza, the spiritual director of St Joseph Seminary, and the women wing of ladies of the diocese of Mangaluru celebrated the Holy Mass on the ninth day of the novena.

In his homily, Fr D’Souza preached on the gender equality. When the Son of God became human being He was confronted with the question superiority of men over women. Jesus enlightened them on the mind of God. He told them that God created man and women with equality. So if any inequality is taught and practiced it is the fruit of the establishment run by the male domination.

If we want to follow the mind of God it better to follow equality and it must be practiced. It must be practiced at home in raising the children with equal values. Similarly men and women must be treated equally in the society. Then it is possible to have a healthy society, he said.

After the Holy Mass a short konkani drama ‘Lost faith restored’ was staged at the Milagres grounds. It was based on the miracle performed by St Anthony. The drama was written and directed by Vincent Fernandes of ‘Mogachi Lahran’fame.

Fr Roshan D’Souza, the assistant director, offered Holy Mass in the after-noon at the Ashram. Fr Onil D’Souza, the director of the ashram, conducted rosary and adoration.

Fr Thrishan D’Souza, another assistant director of the ashram, conducted the novena at 7.30 pm at the entrance gate of the ashram.

Fr Onil D’Souza, the director of the ashram, thanked the St Aloysius College Konkani choir for leading the liturgical singing.

Thousands of people participated in the service.