St Anthony’s Church feast attracts crowds

The annual feast of St Anthony’s Church at Kochchikade, Colombo was held recently In its 181^st year the festival attracts large crowds from both the Christian and Hindu communities.

People from both faiths believe that vows made to the saint have come true. Days’ leading up to the festival the entire area is decorated with lights and flags barring the saint’s face as well as his colours brown and yellow. Devotees tie similar flags on large flagpoles that are hoisted in the air amid crucifixes.

During the feast there is a heavy police presence and the navy is instructed to officiate with the procession whereby the statute of St Anthony is paraded through the streets. Choirboys and several marching bands precede the statue. Crowds attempt to try and touch the statue, as they believe ailments may be cured. Others gently toss  flowers at the statue and ask the sailors in charge of officiating the event to throw them back.  

Mass was held in Tamil and Sinhala and blessings were carried out by the Archbishop of Colombo, Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith Patabendige.