Thousands flock to St. Anthony’s shrine in Bangladesh

(February 07, 2011) Tens of thousands flocked to this year’s annual pilgrimage to the shrine of St. Anthony of Padua, in what is fast-becoming a universal celebration among devotees from all faiths in Bangladesh. About 50,000 people, including three archbishops, two bishops, 54 priests, 100 nuns and 20 brothers made the pilgrimage last Friday to Dhaka Archdiocese’s Nagari parish, about 45 kilometers east of the capital Dhaka. This annual devotion has been going on for over 225 years. Traditionally, it is celebrated ahead of Lent, which begins on March 9 this year, rather than on June 13, St. Anthony’s feast day in the Church’s liturgical calendar. Archbishop Paulinus Costa of Dhaka and his Coadjutor Archbishop Patrick D’Rozario presided over two grand feast-day holy masses. Many non-Christians make the pilgrimage in thanksgiving for “miracles” attributed to the saint. This year, 26-year old local Hindu housewife Sheuli Rani Das came to thank the saint for her son’s speedy recovery from typhoid. So did Fariduddin, a Muslim, whose 4-year old semi-paralyzed son can now walk much better. Saint Anthony, born in Portugal in 1195, was a Franciscan monk who died in Padua, Italy, in 1231. He is popularly revered as a finder of lost things as well as patron of the poor and travellers.