The three-day triduum preparation for the feast of St Anthony of Padua commenced on Wednesday in Mangaluru. Centered on the theme, 'Let us build Christ-centered families in the model of miracle-worker St Anthony,' the preparations officially mark the beginning of the grand annual feast scheduled for Saturday.
First Day Events
The first day of the triduum began at the St Anthony Ashram Chapel in Jeppu at 6 am with a Holy Eucharistic celebration offered by Fr JB Crasta, director of St Anthony's Charitable Institutions, who conducted the Novena prayers. The main morning triduum sessions were facilitated by the Catholic Charismatic Renewal Services of the Mangalore Diocese from 9 am to 1 pm at the Jeppu Ashram under the leadership of Fr Clifford Fernandes.
Worship and Discourse
A worship session was led by Brother Rony and Brother Dolphy Lobo. Fr Vincent Sequeira, the diocesan secretary for the Commission for Bible, delivered a theological discourse on 'Families in the Bible,' contextualizing the feast's core theme for contemporary times. Fr Clifford Fernandes celebrated the first day of the triduum mass. Following the mass, a Eucharistic Adoration was led by Fr Anil Joel D'Souza, parish priest of Thokur.
Evening Celebrations
The evening celebrations took place at the St Anthony's Shrine in Milagres, where Fr Boniface Pinto led the holy mass. The spiritual preparation will culminate in the grand feast day celebrations on Saturday.
Feast Day Schedule
On Saturday, the 6 am holy mass will be celebrated by Fr Paul Melwyn D'Souza, OFM Capuchin, at the St Anthony Ashram in Jeppu. At 10:30 am, a holy mass presided over by Fr John Sequeira, OCD, provincial of Karnataka Province, will take place. Meanwhile, at St Anthony's Shrine in Milagres Church, an 8 am holy mass will be led by Fr Valerian D'Souza, rector of Rosario Cathedral. At 4:30 pm, a special holy mass in Malayalam will be held, followed by the main solemn festal mass presided over by Most Rev Peter Paul Saldanha, bishop of the Diocese of Mangalore, at 6 pm.
