Udupi : Monsignor Baptist Menezes, Vicar General of Udupi Diocese formally proclaimed St Antony’s Shrine at Kerekatte as holy land and holy pilgrimage centre on June 13, Thursday on the occasion of the annual feast of Padua.

Rev Dr Aloysius Paul D’Souza, Bishop of Mangalore celebrated the Holy Mass. Dr Gerald Isaac Lobo, Bishop of Udupi,  Dr Robert M Miranda, Bishop of Gulbarga,  Dr Lawrence Mukkuzhy, Belthangady Bishop  and  Dr Mar Joseph Arumachadath, Bishop  Bhadravathi  were the concelebrants.

The Mangalore Bishop was felicitated by the Udupi Bishop on the occasion  as a mark of gratitude of his works in the development of the shrine.

Fr Xavier  Pinto is the new  Official Director of the pilgrimage centre.  Every Tuesday,  Novena and special mass is held at the shrine.