ST ANTHONY’S FEAST AT DEENA SEVA ASHRAM, DARSHAN INSTITUTE OF THEOLOGY,
BENGALURU
The festal celebrations at the shrine dedicated to St Anthony, which was
closed down for over two years due to covid, was preceded by the
nine-day novena that began on the 4th June 2022, and concluded on the
13th June 2022. The solemn celebration of the Holy Eucharist was
presided over by the Provincial Minister of the Holy Trinity Province,
Karnataka, Rev. Fr John Alwyn Dias. Fr. Hridaya Raj, the new Parish
Priest of St. Francis of Assisi Church, Kengeri, along with about
twenty-five priests, dozens of religious sisters from the neighboring
communities, and a multitude of devotees of St Anthony attended the
festive event.
Fr William Prabhu, Parish Priest of St Anthony’s Church Gangondanahalli,
preached the homily about how the efficacious impact of deepened faith
in our Saviour Jesus Christ will transform our life into a "Miracle".
St. Anthony, whose life teaches us this message so vividly, is one of
the greatest Saint venerated throughout the world. There are numerous
churches, shrines, institutes, centers, houses which are dedicated to St
Anthony of Padua and many people bear the name of the Saint. St Anthony
was not famous when he was alive, but he became famous after his death.
He lived a simple, dedicated, humble and holy life. The depth of his
holiness was so great that he was canonized just a year after his death.
Miracle-workers, powerful intercessor and hammer of heretics are among
the titles which enhance accolades to his holiness. He was a devoted
God-fearing man, God’s Servant, and he teaches us to follow his
examples. Let us allow ourselves to be decked with the virtues of
humility, sublimity, holiness and charity. May we open our eyes of faith
to see the miracles that happen every day and at every moment of life.
The Holy Eucharist ended with the Novena to St Anthony, in an ambience
which was imbued with true holiness and great joy.
A vote of thanks was raised by Fr. Denis G. Veigas, the Rector of
Darshan Institute of Theology, to all the attendees and especially to
all the benefactors who contributed their mite for the renovation of the
shrine. He also thanked the donors for the sumptuous dinner that was
served to around 400 devotees. The celebrations concluded with the
exchange of festal wishes and people rushing to pray at the feet of St
Anthony for all the graces that this popular and much-loved Saint had
mediated from God for them.
St Anthony of Padua … pray for us!!!!
