Katchatheevu St Anthonys festival draws devotees from India and Sri Lanka

The annual two-day St Anthony’s Church festival at Katchatheevu began yesterday with devotees from Tamil Nadu and Sri Lanka participating in large numbers.
As many as 3,500 pilgrims from Tamil Nadu departed from Rameswaram in 90 mechanised boats and 26 country boats to attend the festival. They were flagged off by Ramanathapuram District Revenue Officer Sankara Narayanan and Assistant Superintendent of Police Meera after security checks by Central and State Intelligence officials and the Customs Department.
The devotees reached Katchatheevu by afternoon. More than 3,000 pilgrims from Sri Lanka also took part in the celebrations.
The festival commenced with the hoisting of the church flag at 5 pm in front of St Anthony’s Church. The flag bearing the image associated with St Anthony of Neduntheevu was hoisted amid prayers.
The first day’s service was led by Parish Priest Thomas Paribalan of Rameswaram. Devotees from both countries participated in the Stations of the Cross, carrying the cross around the church premises.
A special service followed, and a procession was held at 8 pm. Clergy including priests and nuns from Neduntheevu and Jaffna attended the ceremony.
On the second day, a special Holy Mass and joint prayers were conducted in the morning under the leadership of the Bishop of the Diocese of Jaffna. The Mass was held in Tamil and Sinhala, reflecting the shared participation of devotees from both nations.
The celebrations concluded with the lowering of the festival flag after the joint Mass. Pilgrims from Tamil Nadu were inspected by the Sri Lankan Navy before beginning their return journey. The Indian Coast Guard also conducted checks at sea as the devotees travelled back to Rameswaram.
As an annual event symbolising goodwill, the festival saw devotees from both countries sharing prayers and fellowship, creating an emotional and harmonious atmosphere on the
island.