PARAVOOR: Chettikkad St Antony’s Church, one of the famous pilgrim centres in South India, has been spruced up for the Oottuthirunnal. Several lakhs of pilgrims from Andra Pradesh, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and from across the state throng the church during the festival.
The Oottuthirunnal, popularly known as the Festival of Communal Harmony, is being conducted with the support of other religious and communal organisations, including HYM Sabha and HMDP Sabha.
The Chettikkad Church gained importance when it became the only church in Asia to have preserved three holy relics of St Antony. The miraculous well on the church premises is another blessing for the devotees who believe that that water from the well can cure them of their ailments and prevent evil forces from entering their property.
The pilgrim centre is also known for its charity services, including ambulance service free of cost for the poor, homeo clinc, counselling centre, medical aid for the pilgrims, housing schemes, educational aid and scholarship.
A three-day Bible convention marked the beginning of the Festival on Thursday which was led by Fr Edwin Higarus. Thrissur Diocese Auxiliary Bishop Mar Raphael Thattil will be the main celebrant of the hoisting of the festival flag on Tuesday at 10.15 am.
In a major attraction, about 200 women in traditional ‘chatta and mundu’ will receive the bishop for the function. The Parish day will be celebrated on May 7.
The blessing of hundreds of vehicles is considered a unique ceremony of the church which will begin from May 8 morning and continue till evening. About hundred mentally challenged children aged below 15 years will be given medical aid on Sunday. Bishop Mar Joseph Kaithathara will be the main celebrant of the solemn Mass at 5 pm.
The Oottuthirunnal will be celebrated on May 10. Kottapuram Bishop Dr Joseph Karikkassery will be accorded a rousing reception at 10 am. Bishop Karikkassery will bless the feast and serve the holy feast to the devotees. Arrangements have been made to serve holy feast for more than two lakh devotees. The construction of a pandal of 18,000 sq ft area is nearing completion for the purpose.
Bishop Karikkassery will lead the Pontifical Mass at 10.30 am. The octave will be held on May 17. Rector Fr Joseph Joshi Muttickal, Co vicars Fr Shyjan Panackal and Fr Antony Biju Kurisingal, trustees Dominic Padamattummel and Jain Pallathussery, Parish Council central president P T Roy, secretary Antony Padamattummel, K M Antony were among those who were present at the Press Conference.