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St Anthony Novena Day 8: Fr Dominic Vas Calls for ’Words of Wisdom’ as Devotees Pray for Teachers

MANGALURU, FEB 13: The eighth day of the Novena preparatory to the Relic Feast of St Anthony of Padua was observed with solemnity at St Anthony’s Shrine, Milagres on Friday evening, February 13, 2026. The liturgy was centred on the enlightening spiritual theme, "Speak with knowledge, not with vanity."

A large congregation of devotees gathered for the Eucharistic celebration, offering special prayers for Teachers. The faithful prayed for educators, asking God to grant them wisdom, patience, and the grace to be true mentors who not only impart knowledge but also mould the character of the younger generation.

Rev. Fr Dominic Vas OCD, Parish Priest of Infant Mary Church, Bajjodi, presided over the Holy Eucharist. In his homily, Fr Vas delivered a stirring message on the transformative power of speech. "Knowledge without love is merely information, but knowledge spoken with love becomes wisdom. As Christians and educators, we are called to speak words that do not just inform, but inspire. Our speech should be a source of encouragement, lifting up those who are downcast and guiding the ignorant with patience. St Anthony’s preaching was powerful not because of his vanity, but because his words were filled with divine wisdom and deep love for the people," he emphasised.

Aligning with the day’s intention, the liturgy included special supplications for the teaching fraternity, that they might continue their noble mission of education with dedication and integrity.

Fr J B Crasta, Director, Rev. Fr Praveen Amrith Martis, Administrator, Fr Gilbert Dsouza, Chaplain and Fr Nishanth Vivian Rodrigues, Assistant Director, concelebrated the Mass. Following the Holy Eucharist, the Novena prayers were led by Fr J B Crasta, invoking the intercession of St Anthony for the intentions of the gathered devotees. The Bajjodi Parish choir enriched the liturgy with melodious hymns, fostering a prayerful atmosphere at the shrine.

The Novena continues daily, leading up to the grand Relic Feast on February 15, 2026.

The highlight of the upcoming festivities:
Feast Day Schedule – Sunday, February 15, 2026:
The Relic Feast will be celebrated with several solemn services throughout the day:
•    6:00 AM: Festal Mass at St Anthony Ashram, Jeppu, celebrated by Very Rev. Dr Praveen Martis SJ, Vice Chancellor, St Aloysius (Deemed to be) University.
•    9:30 AM: Solemn Festal Mass at St Anthony Ashram, Jeppu, celebrated by Most Rev. Dr Aloysius Paul D’Souza, Bishop Emeritus of Mangalore.
•    11:00 AM: Holy Mass in Malayalam at Milagres Shrine celebrated by Fr Eby Sebastian CST.
•    6:00 PM: The Main Grand Festive Mass at Milagres Shrine, presided over by Most Rev. Bernard Moras, Archbishop Emeritus of Bangalore.

The Ashram administration invites all devotees to participate in these spiritual exercises and seek the powerful intercession of St Anthony.