St Anthony Ashram Observes Feast of Our Lady of the Rosary with Solemn Devotion
Mangaluru: St Anthony Ashram, Jeppu, observed the feast of Our Lady of the Rosary with spiritual fervour on Wednesday, October 7, featuring a special Marian devotion, a candlelight procession and a call to prayer.
Delivering the spiritual reflection, Rev. Fr. Meckenzie Mendonsa OP, Assistant Parish Priest of St Dominic Church, Ashoknagar, highlighted the importance of the Rosary in contemporary life and emphasised the power of prayer and Mary’s intercession.
“We experience Jesus and Mary very closely when we pray the Rosary,” Fr. Mendonsa said. He explained that meditating on the Word of God through the Rosary gives believers the spiritual strength to overcome societal evils and addictions and leads them towards genuine conversion.
A major highlight of the celebration was a solemn candlelight procession through the vicinity of St Anthony Ashram, covering the houses of the residents. Women volunteers of the Ashram carried the decorated statue of Our Lady of the Rosary, while devotees and residents joined the procession with candles, singing Marian hymns and praising God.
The procession was accompanied by a live musical band comprising Ashram students, adding a vibrant yet reverent atmosphere to the celebration.
Earlier, Rev. Fr. Praveen Amrith Martis, Administrator of the Ashram, delivered a historical note on the origins and significance of the feast. This was followed by the recitation of the Holy Rosary, led by the Ursuline Sisters of Bolar.
The devotional programme concluded with the solemn blessing of the Blessed Sacrament.
Rev. Fr. J.B. Crasta, Director of St. Anthony Ashram, proposed the vote of thanks and expressed gratitude to the volunteers, women, students, and Ashram residents for their dedicated service in making the celebration a success.