Media Release

Mangaluru, Jun 1: Msgr Maxim Noronha, the vicar general of the diocese, here, hoisted the flag of St Anthony and inaugurated the devotion of the thirteen-day novena in preparation for the annual feast of St Anthony to be celebrated on June 13.

The vicar general then offered a holy mass at 7 am and preached a homily on the descent of the Holy Spirit as the Church celebrates the feast of Pentecost. In his homily, the Vicar General said that the Church was born on the day the Holy Spirit descended on the apostles. With the descent of the Holy Spirit, the apostles were filled with courage and enthusiasm. They went about preaching the Good News.

The theme of the first day of the novena was ‘Go and preach the Gospel’. St Anthony, true to his calling preached the Word of God and performed several miracles during his lifetime in the name of Jesus. The vicar general called on the devotees of St Anthony to be witnesses to Jesus in whichever way possible.

Fr Onil D’Souza, the director of the ashram, thanked the vicar general for offering the holy mass. He also added that every day on novena days, there will be a holy mass and novena in Konkani at 7 am and in English at 7 pm and the devotees can send petitions/prayer requests to sabjeppu@gmail.com or by whatsApp to 99449825580.

Fr Roshan D’Souza, the assistant director joined for the concelebration. Fr Roshan D’Souza conducted the first day of the novena.