Bishop Aloysius Lays Foundation Stone for State of Art building at Jeppu Ashram
Mangaluru: Dr Aloysius Paul D’Souza, the Bishop of Mangalore presided over the Eucharistic Celebration at 6:00 p.m. at Milagres in honour of St Anthony on the occasion of his annual feast day.
In his message, the Bishop called on the people to develop the love for the people as St Anthony did during his short life of thirty-six years. Though he lived a short life he left a legacy of good works to be appreciated, admired and lived. He had the gift of preaching and performing miracles. He used them for the good of others and never for his own benefit. That is why he is loved and venerated by the devotees even after eight centuries after his death. His powerful intercession is felt by people especially when they are in need. The Bishop called on the people to share blessings with less fortunate as that will be the true honour offered to St Anthony on the occasion of his feast.
Earlier during the day at 10:30 a.m. the Bishop offered the Holy Mass at Jeppu Ashram. He then blessed the foundation stone to be laid for the 100-bed state of the art building to be constructed at the campus to house the mentally ill people. A two storied building which will accommodate fifty men and fifty women. It will have all the facilities to take care of the mentally ill people. This block will be constructed in memory of the completion of 120 years of service of the Charity Institutes. The Chief Guest Ivan D’Souza Chief Whip of Karnataka Govt switched on the blueprint of the building on the huge LED screen placed on the stage. He also promised Rs 5 Lakhs on behalf of the Govt for the new building. This was followed by a forty-five minutes Konkani Drama Saint Anthony Saint of Miracles. The concept of the Drama and creation was done by Vincent Fernandes from Cascia Church, script and direction were provided by John M. Permannur.
Msgr Denis Moras Prabhu the Vicar General of the Diocese offered the Holy Mass in the morning at 8:15 a.m. at the Milagres Church. Fr Jacob Milton from St Joseph Seminary offered the Holy Mass in Malayalam at Milagres at 4:30 p.m.
Fr Onil D’Souza, the director on behalf of Fr Francis D’Souza, the administrator, and Fr Thrishan D’Souza, the Asst director welcomed and thanked the sponsors, volunteers who have been working tirelessly for the last few days to make the celebration meaningful one. He also thanked all the devotees and invoked God’s choice blessings on them through the intercession of St Anthony. 35 priests and three thousand devotees participated in the celebrations.
The State of Art corner at St. Anthony’s Ashram at Jeppoo is a marvelous idea indeed. This will not only attract the inmates at St. Anthony’s Ashram but will also attract several thousands of visitors to Mangalore to visit St. Anhony’s and spend some quality time in witnessing the work of art displayed all around the Institution.
We have ourselves loved St. Anthony’s Ashram not only for hundreds of inmates who are residing there, but the place has now become a sanctuaery for dozens of retired priests who are enjoying their retirement life after dedicating themselves in different Parishes of Mangalore.
We will be happy to visit the St. Anthony’s Art Center, and we will be happy to bring some valuable paintings with us on our next trip to Mangalore so that some of our paintings will also appear on the walls.