PILAR: Devotees from different walks of life gathered at the chapel of St Anthony at Firgottem, Goa Velha to celebrate the feast of St Anthony of Padua.
At the Eucharistic celebration, parish priest of St Andrew’s church, Goa Velha, Fr Emidio Pinto reminded the congregation that St Anthony lived a life that was pleasing to God and his deeds followed in the same direction. He said that the saint lived in union with God and with the help of the Holy Spirit, spread the devotion of the Holy Spirit.
Fr Pinto said that St Anthony committed his life to Christ and made Him the centre of his being. “The miraculous saint merged himself with Christ and God filled him with the Holy Spirit,” he added.
Fr Pinto reminded the faithful that all Catholics have received the Holy Spirit at baptism, but unfortunately very few know who he is. He added that the Holy Spirit is God’s and Christ’s soul, intelligence and strength.
“With the help of the Holy Spirit, God raised Christ from the dead. Due to the devotion of the Holy Spirit,” Fr Pinto said, “St Anthony was able to perform miracles. Devotion of saints has increased, but has the devotion of the Holy Spirit increased? To live a true Christian life, we all need the Holy Spirit,” he concluded. The celebration ended with a procession, followed by the final blessing.
