The annual feast of the Lenten pilgrimage shrine of St. Anthony, Kachchativu, was held on 28th February with a record number of devotees. The celebration was organized by the Parish Priest of Delft, Rev. Fr. Paththinathan.
Religious observances began on 27th February with the hoisting of the festival flag. The prayer services included the Rosary, Way of the Cross, Holy Mass, Eucharistic Adoration, and the procession of the statue of St. Anthony.
On the morning of 28th February, the solemn feast Mass was celebrated, presided over by Rev. Fr. Jebaratnam, Vicar General of the Diocese of Jaffna.
The celebrations saw the participation of government officials, senior naval officers, more than 200 priests and religious sisters, and over 12,000 devotees from Sri Lanka and India.
