Hyderabad: Scores of faithful participated in prayers, from 5 am to late at night, to mark the annual Feast of St Anthony’s on Tuesday at the St Anthony’s Shrine in Mettuguda of Secunderabad.
A special mass was held by Cardinal Anthony Poola, who recollected the life of St Anthony and how he lived according to the teachings of Christ, setting an example for every Christian. The mass went on from morning till afternoon, following which the evening mass was served by Fr Raju Alex, the deputy secretary of the Telugu Catholic Bishops Council.
Recollecting the installation of St Anthony’s Shrine in 1925, Rev. Fr Dr V.K. Swamy, of the Parish Priest, said: “A devotee, Clara Peters, donated the land to build a church in honour of St Anthony of Padua. A small chapel was built and dedicated to St Anthony, which became very popular in the twin-cities and devotees received abundant blessings.”
Roydin Roach, a Christian leader, said, “This annual fest is dear to all communities and irrespective of religion, everyone visits this church. It is estimated that close to two lakh people visited the church on the day of feast. Most of the clergy and heads of catholic churches were present.”
A procession of the statue of St Anthony started in the evening, with devotees carrying it across Mettuguda and singing hymns.
