St. Anthony Church, Kallikulam, Thoothukudi
St.
Anthony church is located 250 meter far (north) from Our Lady of Snow church.
Mass and Novena are conducted occasionally in this church. Every year, a 10
days feast is celebrated here from 8th January to 17th January. The feast
starts with the flag hoisting ceremony in the church. During the feast days,
morning mass and evening novenas are conducted in this church. The entire area
is decorated with festoons and colorful lights.
On 9th
day of the feast, at night a grand vespers is conducted followed by car
procession. Three decorated cars participate in the procession and St.Antony’s
statue is placed in the main car and taken through the village streets.
Thousands of people participate in the procession and pray to St. Anthony. It
lasts for six hours. On 10th day of the feast morning 6.00 am the Car
procession come to an end and the cars are parked near the church for worship.
Then a celebratory mass honoring St. Anthony is conducted. The feast comes to
end with the evening novena on the 10th day.
