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More than 200 devotees take part in Kachchativu feast
Since his childhood, B Robinson, a fisherman from Thankachchimadam, Rameswaram used to attend St Anthony’s feast in Kachchativu along with his whole family. This time he could not bring his family due to the decision taken by authorities to allow only a limited number of devotees from both countries considering Covid-19 health concerns.
“I brought all the prayers of my whole family. I wish they were here but I’m lucky to witness this year’s feast since we did not have one last year,” Robinson told the Sunday Times. He said he had brought some family member’s wishes and vows to be made to St Anthony, who he believes is a powerful saint.
Over two hundred Catholic devotees from across the Palk Strait gathered at Kachchativu islet yesterday to celebrate the feast of St Anthony – one of the popular saints in the country, considered by fishermen as the “Guardian of the sea”.
In previous years, with the exception of last year where the feast was held without participation of devotees due to the viral Covid-19 spread in the region, at least 5,000 devotees from both countries took part in the feast.
Indian devotees arrived on the island by Friday afternoon and were busy with preparations for hoisting the flag ceremony, followed by a car festival in the late evening.
A special prayer was held on Saturday morning by Vicar General Rev Fr P A Jebaratnam on behalf of the Jaffna RC Diocese, along with the participation of a clergy community from India. In his sermon, the priest highlighted the importance of following St Anthony’s teachings to become more kind to each other, willing to understand each other, and most importantly to forgive others who do harm as the world is currently witnessing conflicts.
“Many are of the view that waging a war is easy at the cost of many lives. What is extremely hard is striving towards peace, be reconciled. It is a hard process but that’s what we need to learn from powerful St Anthony. Have faith in him,” Rev Fr Jebaratnam stressed.
Rev Fr Devasahayam, parish priest from Rameswaram, led a team of 77 Indian devotees in four Indian boats for some twelve nautical miles to the uninhabited island on Friday.
“We were not sure of attending this year’s feast due to conflicting reports emerging earlier but we are grateful for making this possible for us. We are hopeful that next year’s feast will be like pre-Covid times where thousands would be attending from both countries,” Fr Thevasakaayam told the Sunday Times.
From the Sri Lankan side, over hundred devotees from Jaffna, Delft and Chilaw took part in the feast. The Sri Lanka Navy took steps to facilitate the feast with adequate facilities and distributed meals for devotees as well.
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