St. Antony of Padua Church, Kaloor is not merely a church โ it's a living witness of faith, miracles, and hope โจ๐. Situated in the heart of Kochi city, this shrine stands tall and is regarded as the greatest pilgrimage centre devoted to St. Antony in Asia. On Tuesdays, tens of thousands of devotees throng this shrine, all in search of the intervention of St. Antony, affectionately referred to as the Wonderworker Saint ๐ซ.
๐ฐ๏ธ Historical Significance
Its history goes back to 1915, when it was erected as a modest shrine within the parish of St. Francis Xavier Church, Kaloor-Kathrikkadavu. Over the past 100 years, it has developed into a vast spiritual campus consisting of the main church, rectory, Chapel of Adoration, and the Antonian Bible College โช๐. Presently, it falls under the Archdiocese of Verapoly, headed by His Grace Rt. Rev. Dr. Joseph Kalathiparambil.
St. Antony of Padua, though born Portuguese ๐ต๐น (1195โ1231), became world-famous for his miraculous powers and inspirational sermons in Padua, Italy ๐ฎ๐น. Just as Padua is closely linked to his divine legacy, Kaloor too has become known for the miracles attributed to the saint โ๏ธ.
๐ Spiritual Experience
The church is particularly renowned for the Tuesday devotions. The first Holy Mass starts at 6:15 AM, but pilgrims begin arriving from 4 AM onward, and the crowd continues till midnight ๐๐. Every week, people from Ernakulam, Thrissur, and even remote corners of Kerala arrive here to attend Mass, join the Novena, and seek blessings ๐.
Countless devotees report miraculous healings, answered prayers, and a sense of inner peace โ experiences that inspire them to return again and again ๐.
๐ Key Milestones
1915: Church blessed as a small shrine
1962: First Holy Mass said by Rev. Fr. Francis Rebeiro
1972: Major renovation and blessing by Archbishop Dr. Joseph Kelanthara
1973: Arrival of the Holy Relic of St. Antony from Padua and beginning of the Tuesday Novena
2009: Blessing of the Bible College and Adoration Chapel
2010: Renovation and blessing of the Main Altar and Sanctuary
๐ Final Thoughts
Whether you're a devotee seeking divine help or a traveler exploring spiritual heritage, St. Antony's Shrine in Kaloor offers an experience that is both deep and enriching. The environment here is filled with tranquility, faith, and reverence ๐๏ธ. The stunning architecture, the heartfelt devotion of the faithful, and the spiritual atmosphere make it one of Kerala's most revered religious landmarks.
A visit here leaves you with hope, comfort, and a powerful sense of connection with...
ย ย ย Read moreSt. Anthony of Padua is very much popular with the devotees. St. Anthony of Padua was a saint who lived in Italy in the middle ages (1195-1231) and led the people to true faith. Though he was a Portuguese by birth, he became famous for his great miraculous deeds and powerful sermons in the Italian town of Padua and hence the name St. Anthony of Padua.
Just like the name Padua got associated with the Saint Anthony who lived there and motivated the people there to turn to God,Kaloor too became synonymous with St. Anthony and his wonderworks. It is now believed to be the greatest pilgrim centre of St. Anthony in Asia.
The present shrine, which covers a wide area consisting of the church, rectory, Adoration chapel, Antonian Bible College etc. had its beginnings as a small shrine dedicated to St. Antony which belonged to the parish of St. Francis Xavier Kaloor, Kathrikkadavu. The shrine saw astounding growth during its almost a century old history.
This Shrine belongs to the Archdiocese of Verapoly and is under the pastoral and administrative care of the Metropolitan Archbishop of Verapoly, His Grace Rt. Rev. Dr. Joseph Kalathiparambil. The shrine was blessed in 1915 as a small shrine dedicated to St. Antony. But now it is a place where ten thousands gather in every Tuesday to plead for the intercession of St. Antony the Wonderworker. People come from far distant areas to participate in the various spiritual activities of the Shrine. They have the strong belief that St. Antony never abandon them and bring for them even so called impossible things. They believe because they are witnessing such miraculous healings and blessings every Tuesday. Even though first holy mass in the Tuesday starts at 6.15am , people comes in early morning from 4 am onward and this rush will continue till 12 pm night and in some day even later. Most of the people witnesses showering of divine graces through intercession...
ย ย ย Read moreThe Story of St.Antonyโs Shrine, Kaloor..
The Shrine of St. Antony situated in Kaloor, Kerala is one of the biggest pilgrim centres of St. Antony in the world; perhaps second only to Padua in terms of popularity.This Shrine belongs to the Archdiocese of Verapoly and is under the pastoral and administrative care of the Metropolitan Archbishop of Verapoly, His Grace Rt. Rev. Dr. Joseph Kalathiparambil. The mother church of this Shrine is St. Francis Xavierโs Parish Church, of Kathrikkadavu, Kaloor.Just like the name Padua got associated with the Saint Anthony who lived there and motivated the people there to turn to God, Kaloor too became synonymous with St. Antony and his wonder works. It is now believed to be the greatest pilgrim centre of St. Anthony in Asia. The present shrine, which covers a wide area consisting of the church, rectory, Adoration chapel, Antonian Bible College etc. had its beginnings as a small shrine dedicated to St. Antony which belonged
to the parish of St. Francis Xavier Kaloor, Kathrikkadavu. The shrine saw astounding growth during its almost a century old history.the shrine was blessed in 1915 as a small shrine dedicated to St. Antony. But now it is a place where ten thousands gather in every Tuesday to plead for the intersession of St. Antony the Wonderworker. People come from far distant areas to participate in the various spiritual activities of the Shrine. They have the strong belief that St. Antony never abandon them and bring for them even so called impossible things. They believe because they are witnessing such miraculous healings and blessings every Tuesday. Even though first holy mass in the Tuesday starts at 6.15am , people comes in early morning from 4 am onward and this rush will continue till 12 pm night and in some day even later. Most of the people witnesses showering of divine graces through intersession...
ย ย ย Read more