Visit to the St. Anthony’s Church in Wahacotte – By Dr harold Gunatillake
If you’re ever in Sri Lanka, make sure to visit the stunning St. Anthony’s Church in
Wahakotte. The peaceful and serene atmosphere of the church is truly awe- inspiring, and the intricate architecture is a testament to its builders’ incredible skill and dedication. Take the chance to experience this beautiful place for yourself!
Anthony of Padua, OFM or Anthony of Lisbon was a Portuguese Catholic priest and friar of the Franciscan Order. He was born and raised by a wealthy family in Lisbon, Portugal, and died in Padua, Italy
Let me take you to Wahakotte, a village in the northern part of Matale, in Sri Lanka, through the narrow country roads to the legendary St. Anthony’s Church or
St. Anthony’s Shrine is the cathedral church of the Diocese of Kandy in Wahacotte.
The church is located in Wahacotte, in the north of Matale District, about 32 km (20 mi) from Matale and is dedicated to Saint Anthony.
A cathedral is a church that contains the cathedra (Latin for ‘seat’) of a bishop, thus serving as the central church of a diocese, conference, or episcopate.
St. Anthony’s shrine at Wahakotte is one of the most sacred shrines for Catholics in Sri Lanka.
The church is a national shrine and one of the most sacred pilgrimage places for Catholics in Sri Lanka. The Benedictine mission is attached to this church.
The Benedictines, officially the Order of Saint Benedict (Latin: Ordo Sancti Benedicti, abbreviated as OSB), are a monastic religious order of the Catholic Church following the Rule of Saint Benedict.
They are also sometimes called the Black Monks because of the colour of their spiritual habits. They were founded in 529 by Benedict of Nursia, a 6th-century monk who laid the foundations of Benedictine monasticism by formulating his Rule.
Fernando de Bulhões (known as Saint Anthony) was born in Lisbon, Portugal, in 1195, the son of a wealthy family. In 1220, while studying in Coimbra, he entered the Franciscan Order, adopting the name António.
His missionary travels would lead him to Italy, where he settled in Padua. Due to his immense popularity, he was canonised less than a year after he died in 1232.
The site of the family house where Fernando was born, located very close to Lisbon Cathedral, was turned into a small chapel in the 15th century.
Now, what is the significance of St. Anthony? Anthony is most famous for being the patron saint of lost items, but he is also the patron saint of amputees, animals, the elderly, horses, oppressed people, poor people, pregnant women, and shipwrecks, as one
of the most popular Catholic saints, Why do people pray to St. Anthony?
. Today, people pray to St. Anthony when they’ve lost their keys, rings, or other goods. They may also pray for someone who has lost faith or a lost loved one. Anthony was born and raised by a wealthy family in Lisbon, Portugal, and died in Padua, Italy. Noted by his contemporaries for his powerful preaching, expert knowledge of scripture, and undying love and devotion to the poor and the sick, he was one of the most quickly canonised saints in church history, canonised less than a year after his death.
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He was proclaimed a Doctor of the Church by Pope Pius XII on 16 January 1946. He won great admiration as a preacher and was noted for his simple yet profound teaching of the Catholic faith. He died en route to Padua, Italy, where he was buried. Anthony was the most celebrated of
St. Francis of Assisi’s followers and had the reputation of a miracle worker.
What happens when you pray to St. Anthony? Anthony became the centre of a strong devotion in his later years and the years
after his death. People began looking for his help when they misplaced or lost something of value, and many reported experiencing success in finding their
lost possessions after praying to him.
St. Anthony’s feast day celebration is a great annual event. Most Catholics on the island are looking forward to the event. Let me show part of the procession in the 2021 feast, the Procession of the Saint.
Anthony is carried through the streets of the North End; it is followed by devotees, numerous marching bands, and floats. Throughout the 10-hour-long procession, numerous donations are pinned to the statue, hoping the saint will answer the donor’s prayer as the band performs Marcia Reale.
Hello viewers, I am a Buddhist, not practising the traditional way, but some inner energy compelled me to edit this video after waking up at 2 a.m. When we visited the church, I did not have my camera ready to capture the site and the church, which was very disappointing. So, all the filming captures are from my old Samsung 10+ telephone, but I must say that the pictures have come as if done with a proper camera, and I am most satisfied.
Further, I want to mention that I felt inner strength and force while editing this video. For the first time, at 3 a.m. after editing this video, I walked nearly 7 kilometres in one stretch, which I had never done before, and I feel healthier and more robust. This is not just imagination. I would like you to watch this video and would like to reciprocate the same health and inner force to you.
Stay healthy, and goodbye until we meet again.
