The devotees from Perpetual Succour Ward of Kinnigoli parish went on a pilgrim tour of St. Antony Shrine at Kerekatte on 3 April 2016.
The Shrine of St. Antony of Padua is situated about 35 Kms from Kundapur and about 60 Kms from Udupi at the foothills of Balebare Ghat on the way to the famous Jog Falls. The shrine is situated amidst beautiful nature of a small village called Kerekatte.
The story goes that an image of St. Antony of Padua was found here while digging a field many years ago. From then on the people of that place began venerating the image of the “miracle worker”.
Around 1684, the Blessed Joseph Vaz installed this image in a small thatched roof hut. People of the surrounding areas would come there to pray and make offerings. Even bullock carts passing that area stopped to make an offering. It is said that the bulls would refuse to pull carts if no offering was made or if they did it would results in mishaps. Even today some of the buses plying along that route, stop in front of the shrine to make an offering while pilgrims in others throw their offerings from the running bus.
50 ward people, including 18 children under the leadership of Gurkarn Mrs. Malita D”Souza started the pilgrim journey at 8am by a special bus. A sumptuous breakfast was arranged by Mr & Mrs Anil D’Souza of our ward. After a 2hour journey we reached the shrine and attended mass celebrated by Rev. Fr. Xavier Pinto who incidentally was Asst. Parish Priest Kinnigoli Church way back in 1974 -76.
After the mass there were games for the children and a traditional Mangalorean Meal prepared by a local catholic of Kerekatte the return journey started. The children and Elders had a fun filled time at Malpe Beach on our way back. By 7pm the pilgrim participants reached back to Kinnigoli.
The ward people profusely thanked Gurkarn Malita D’Souza and her family for the excellent arrangements made throughout the Pilgrim Tour.
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