Mangalore: Msgr. Maxim Noronha, the Vicar General of the Diocese of Mangalore hoisted the flag of St Anthony and inaugurated the devotion of thirteen days of novena in preparation for the annual feast of St Anthony to be celebrated on 13th of June. The Vicar General then offered the 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 Sprit the Apostles were filled with courage and enthusiasm. And 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 number of miracles during his life time in the name of Jesus. The Vicar General called on the devotees of St Anthony to be the 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. Every day during on novena days there will be a Holy Mass and novena in Konkani at 7 a.m. and in English at 7 p.m. and the devotees can send petitions/prayer requests to sabjeppu@gmail.com or by WhatsAap to 99449825580 he informed.
Fr Roshan D’Souza the Asst Director joined for the co-celebration. Fr Thrishan D’Souz the Asst Director conducted the first day of the novena.