The Feast of St Anthony on 13th of June

Yesterday was the feast of St Anthony. Our family, as usual, met up for lunch and then proceeded to the church by about 3.30 p.m. before the roads were closed to traffic to safeguard and make way for the thousands of people who make their way to the Kochchikade Church of St Anthony.

This annual feast draws crowds from all races and religions and from all walks of life. This is definitely a place where all differences are accepted. Everyone mingled within the church….. the poor, the rich the feeble and the healthy, young and old, all one in their love for this humble saint. The place was teeming with people and once the roads were closed all you could see, whichever way you looked, was a sea of heads waiting patiently for the procession to start at 5.30pm.

People were dressed up in all their finery. The Tamils were about the most colourful of all in their vibrantly coloured sarees edged in gold, wearing gold in their ears, noses around their throats and on their arms, exuding a sense of drama and excitement.

The pavements were full of vendors selling everything from food and drink to shoes, trinkets, pictures, little statuettes, hats and toys of all sorts. There were people giving out pictures of St Anthony, distributing buns, bread, food and drink all in the name of the Saint. An atmosphere of such celebration and good will prevailed that you felt you to could reach out and touch it.

We went into Church, said our prayers, lit some candles and then walked towards St Lucia’s Cathedral from where the statue of St Anthony, carried high upon a carriage of flowers starts its journey along a road lined by people and long, long strings of crackers.

In front of the carriage walked priests from various churches while the people flocked around the slowing moving vehicle throwing pori, flowers and garlands, many of them crying out their pleas to the Saint on his Feast Day in the absolute faith of receiving his blessings and protection.

Once the carriage arrives at the road leading to St Anthony’s church, naval offices in full regalia carry white thick ropes enclosing the carriage and the priests and slowly escort the statue through the throngs of people upto the church, where school bands, cultural dance troupes and religious dignitaries await. The carriage then joins this waiting procession to carry on with its journey along a designated path around the Kotahena area past thousands of people who wait to watch the colourful pageantry pass by.