PANJIM: Thousands of devotees on Friday slowly made their way up the Guirim hill, patiently standing in queue to venerate the relics of Saint Anthony of Padua, that are on display at the Alverno Friary, Monte de Guirim.
The queue of devotees began at the foot of the steep hill slowly vending its way to the chapel where the relics were kept. People began gathering at the hill much before dawn on Friday. Faithful from several deaneries from North Goa also held masses throughout the day.
The devotees in utter silence and in a prayerful mood venerated the two original relics – a fragment of St Anthony’s petrified flesh in a beautiful bust and his smallest rib in a casket – brought from Rome, Italy and kept at the Alverno Friary for public veneration.
Special arrangements were made on the first day for the smooth conduct of the veneration and senior citizens were provided with a vehicle to transport them to the chapel. There were water bottles provided to devotees to help them quench their thirst.
Devotees will have another opportunity on Saturday to venerate the relics on the second day, after which the relics will be taken to the Padre Pio Friary at Moddi, Navelim.
