Thousands gather in devotion for the annual feast of St Anthony of Padua in Mangaluru

Media Release

Mangaluru, 13 Jun 2025: A wave of deep devotion and spiritual joy swept across Mangaluru as thousands of faithful gathered to celebrate the annual feast of St Anthony of Padua on Friday, June 13, at St Anthony Ashram, Jeppu, and St Anthony Shrine, Milagres Church. The culmination of the 13-day Tredicina devotion and the three-day Triduum led to a grand celebration marked by festal Eucharistic celebrations, prayers, and acts of charity.

 

The feast began at 6:00 am with a Festal Mass at St Anthony Ashram, Jeppu, celebrated by Fr Rohith D’Costa, director of DBCLC, Mangala Jyothi. A large number of devotees gathered in the early hours to seek blessings and begin the feast day in prayer.

 

At the St Anthony Shrine, Milagres Church, the 8:00 am Festal Mass was celebrated by Msgr Maxim L Noronha, vicar general of the diocese of Mangalore. He spoke about the relevance of St Anthony’s life and intercession in today’s context, especially for families and those struggling with challenges of life.

 

The Solemn Festal Mass at 10:30 am at Jeppu was presided over by Dr Aloysius Paul D’Souza, bishop Emeritus of Mangalore. In his moving homily, the bishop highlighted the saint’s commitment to the Gospel and urged the faithful to imitate St Anthony’s compassion, humility, and love for the poor. Concelebrating priests included diocesan clergy and administrators of the Ashram.

 

 

A Malayalam Festal Mass was held at 4:30 pm, celebrated by Saho Abraham, director of Mount Carmel, Kannur. The celebration was marked by devotional singing, active participation, and reverent atmosphere among the Malayalam-speaking faithful.

 

The Solemn Concelebrated Festal Mass at 6:00 pm at Milagres Church was presided over by Dr Peter Paul Saldanha, bishop of Mangaluru. In his homily, the bishop reflected on St Anthony as a ‘Pilgrim of Hope’, urging the faithful to follow his example in walking with the poor and living out the Gospel with courage and charity.

 

Throughout the day, thousands of pilgrims, from Mangaluru and nearby dioceses, visited both the Jeppu Ashram and Milagres Shrine to seek the saint’s intercession. The entire atmosphere was filled with prayerful fervour, lighted candles, and hymns of thanksgiving.

 

The St Anthony Ashram, Jeppu, which has been declared a Jubilee Pilgrim Centre for the Year of Hope by the diocese of Mangalore, remained the focal point for spiritual activities. Free meals were served to all devotees, and the celebration was marked by simplicity, generosity, and spiritual renewal.

 

During the Triduum, Fr Basil Vas and Br Prakash D’Souza led the faithful in spirit-filled sessions of praise and worship, inspiring preaching, adoration, and healing prayer, drawing record crowds to the sacred celebration.

 

The entire celebration was organised and coordinated by Fr J B Crasta, director of St Anthony’s Charitable Institutions, along with Fr Praveen Martis, administrator; Fr Gilbert D’Souza, chaplain; and Fr Vivian Rodrigues, assistant director.

 

In the diocese of Mangalore, the feast of St Anthony was also solemnly celebrated in parishes dedicated to his patronage, including Kulur, Naravi, and Anthonykatte. Devotees in these regions gathered in large numbers to honour their beloved patron saint with festal Masses, processions, and prayerful celebrations, reflecting the deep-rooted devotion to the Miracle Worker of Padua.

 

As Mangaluru honoured one of its most beloved saints, the faithful left the shrine and Ashram strengthened in faith, nourished in hope, and committed to becoming pilgrims of hope in their own lives just like St Anthony.