Mangalore Diocese News

Report & Photos: Canara Communication Centre, Mangalore

Mangaluru, June 4 : The fifth day of Tredicina devotion preceding the annual feast of St Anthony of Padua was held on June 04, 2024, at St Anthony Shrine, Milagres Church, Mangaluru.

Rev. Fr Praveen Leo Lasrado, Secretary, of the Catholic Board of Education celebrated the Eucharistic and prayed for families along with Rev. Fr Gilbert DSouza, the chaplain and Rev. Fr Avinash Pais, assistant director of St Anthony Ashram, Jeppu.

Fr Leo preached on the theme, “Families united in prayer, live united.” He emphasized that Jesus is the only one who can truly keep us together, while all other forces tend to divide us. He stressed that whenever we come together for prayer, we grow stronger as a family. He encouraged every family to have a fixed time for prayer each day, making it a daily practice not just in times of trouble but as a constant thread woven into the fabric of their lives.

Fr Leo highlighted the importance of not getting disturbed and diverted during prayer. He urged families to make their prayers meaningful and simple, focusing on the essence of connecting with God. He also suggested utilizing modern media to have conference prayers with family members who are away, ensuring that distance does not hinder their united prayer time.

He illustrated how regular family prayer can become a cornerstone for unity, helping each member support one another through life's challenges. Fr Leo shared personal anecdotes and life stories, highlighting how families who pray together experience deeper connections and resilience.

He concluded with a call to action, urging families to come together, seek God's guidance, and find unity in their shared faith and devotion. Through this, he assured, they would not only live united but also radiate that unity to the world around them.

At the end of the mass, Fr Avinash Pais led the novena in honour of St Anthony, during which the special intercession of the session was sought for the various needs and prayer intentions of the devotees.

The choir members of Valencia parish sang and joined in the thanksgiving. Payasam (sweet dish) was served to all the devotees who attended the devotion.