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Pilgrims flock to St. Mary’s Cathedral, Galle
Pilgrims from all over the southern province of Sri Lanka flocked to St. Mary’s Cathedral, Galle on 10th of March, 2010, to have a glimpse of the sacred relics of St. Anthony of Padua, and receive a blessing through the mediation of the Saint. The holy relics were reverently received by Very Rev. Fr. Nihal Nanayakkara, the Galle Diocesan Administrator surrounded by the members of the presbyterium, religious nuns and lay faithful in front of the Cathedral.
The statue of St. Anthony carrying the holy relics was mounted on an enchantingly florally decorated chariot while the western band of the Sacred Heart Convent school in Galle played the tune of the popular hymn to St. Anthony namely ‘Paduwa Nagaraye…’ and the faithful greeted with a several minutes lasting round of applause.
The preparatory prayer services were seen in progress at the Cathedral for several hours prior to the arrival of the sacred relics at 12.00 noon, after which the Catholics as well as the non catholic devotees lined up to pay their homage to this great Saint until 3.00 pm. Then a Holy Mass was celebrated in thanksgiving to the Heavenly Father for the numerous blessings received through St. Anthony. Prayers were offered during the Holy Mass for the well-being of the devotees, for lasting peace in our dear motherland and for various personal needs of the faithful.
By Rev. Fr. Raja Ratnapriya Perera
Procurator General - Diocese of Galle
