A Catholic community in northern Sri Lanka celebrated a major milestone on May 10 with the 125th anniversary of St. Anthony’s Church, Pidarikulam and the dedication of its newly constructed church building.
The celebrations took place in Pidarikulam village, which belongs to Alavakkai Parish in the Diocese of Mannar. The Diocese of Mannar is located in the northwestern region of Sri Lanka and is home to historic Catholic communities that trace their roots back several centuries.
The solemn dedication ceremony began at 4:30 p.m. and was led by Bishop Antonypillai Gnanapragasam of Mannar, who consecrated the new church and formally opened it for worship.
During the ceremony, Bishop Gnanapragasam blessed holy water and sprinkled it on the church walls and the congregation as a reminder of Baptism and spiritual purification.
One of the central moments of the rite was the anointing of the altar and the church walls with sacred chrism oil. Incense was then offered on the altar and throughout the church building, symbolizing the prayers of the faithful rising to God. The ceremony concluded with the lighting of the altar candles and church lamps, representing Christ as the light of the world.
Following the dedication rite, Bishop Gnanapragasam presided over a concelebrated Mass attended by members of diocesan curia, parish priests, and clergy from different parts of the diocese.
A commemorative souvenir marking the 125th anniversary was released during the celebrations. Village elders and invited guests were honored, while cultural performances by children added a festive atmosphere to the event.
The jubilee celebrations were organized under the leadership of parish priest Fr. Dixon, with the support of parishioners and local residents.
Church leaders described the anniversary and dedication as a historic milestone in the spiritual life of the Catholic community in Pidarikulam, reflecting both the faith of earlier generations and the continuing growth of the Church in the region.
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