Devotees from all walks of life on tuesday made their way to numerous crosses and chapels dotted across Goa to celebrate the feast of Saint Anthony popularly known as Sant Anton in konkani St Anthony was born in Lisbon, Portugal, and baptized as Fernando Martins. He went on to join priesthood, becoming part of the Augustinian Canons.However, after seeing five Franciscan priests brutally murdered for preaching the Catholic faith, he shifted to the Franciscan order and took the name Anthony.It is believed that Devotees often pray to St Anthony for the recovery of stolen and lost articles, to find a partner, and for the gift of a child. In fact, it is said that he came to be referred to as the patron saint for recovering lost itemsDevotees of the saint also make vows and their prayers are answered through the intercession of the saint. There are also many occasions when parents name their child after the saint to ensure the child’s wellbeing. Another reason why children are named after saints is that they are born in a particular month dedicated to the saint or on their feast day. There is also a belief among devotees that it always rains in Goa on the feast day.indeed the devotion to the saint is so great that people are often observed ensuring that they pay a visit to a cross dedicated to St Anthony or attending Mass where they light candles in his honour. “
Loading ...
