Most Rev Dr Bernard Moras the Emeritus Archbishop of Bengaluru Archdiocese switched on the decorated altar of St Anthony at Milagres and celebrated the thanksgiving Holy Mass at 6 p.m. on 12th June as the Shrine completed 120 years. In his homily Archbishop Moras said that the seed of devotion planted by Msgr M.P. Colaco has grown far and wide beyond imagination.

The Shrine attracts people from all over India and even from abroad. Lot of people from around the globe have visited the Shrine during the past 120 years and have received innumerable favours through the powerful intercession of St Anthony. People irrespective of caste and creed have prayed to St Anthony and have received blessings from God through his intercession. Besides the devotion part hundreds of destitute have been looked after for decades under the Patronage of St Anthony at Jeppu. And they have been supported by the devotees of St Anthony. St Anthony through the generosity of his devotees takes care of the little ones of Jesus at Jeppu Ashram. Hence it is an apt occasion to thank God for the gift of St Anthony to the Universal Church and to Mangalore in particular, he said.

At the end of the Holy Mass the Archbishop was felicitated as he has served the Institutes from 1968 to 1970. The Archbishop then felicitated the former directors and Asst directors who had served the Institutes in the past.

Fr Onil D’Souza the director of the Institutes conducted the Novena. More than two thousand people participated in the devotion and celebration.