Celebrating 191st feast of St. Anthony of Padua at Kochchikade, Colombo

• St. Anthony’s Shrine, Kochchikade, Colombo to celebrate its 191st annual feast on 12 and 13 June 2025

By Indunil Pathirana

St. Anthony’s Shrine in Kochchikade, a revered national heritage site, is often called a “shrine of peace” for uniting Sri Lanka’s beloved multiethnic and multireligious communities. Known as a sacred place of prayer and miracles, it draws pilgrims from around the world who come to ‘pray for the lost and the found’ and personal intentions, making it a lasting symbol of healing and devotion.

Catholicism in Sri Lanka began with the Portuguese arrival in 1505. When the Dutch took control of the coastal regions, they sought to erase Portuguese influence by destroying churches, expelling priests, and persecuting Catholics. Worshippers faced death, exile, or loss of property, and Catholic churches were converted into Dutch Reformed places of worship.

In 1687, Saint Joseph Vaz arrived on the island disguised as a labourer, where he served the spiritual needs of Catholics by ministering Jaffna, Puttalam, and Kandy. Shortly thereafter, Rev. Fr. Antonio came to Colombo, choosing to serve the Catholic community within the city. Rev. Fr. Antonio disguised himself as a fishmonger and took shelter in a house on Maliban Street, near the present-day ‘St. Philip Neri’s Church’.

It is said that the fishermen of the area, troubled by relentless coastal erosion caused by the advancing sea, encountered Rev. Fr. Antonio and surrounded him with a desperate plea. They begged him to pray to God for relief from the destructive waves, promising in return to protect him from the Dutch soldiers pursuing him for arrest. Upon hearing this, the Dutch pursuers decided to allow Rev. Fr. Antonio to comply with the fishermen’s request, confident that his failure would expose the futility of the Portuguese faith.

Tradition holds that Rev. Fr. Antonio, dressed in his priestly attire, placed the large wooden cross he carried at the spot most threatened by the advancing sea. As he prayed, the waves receded, and gradually a sandbank formed. The fishermen, witnessing this miracle, protected Rev. Fr. Antonio. However, to his dismay, even the soldiers, astonished by the unfolding events, rushed to report the miracle to the Dutch Governor.

Father Antonio’s prayers

This remarkable story has been passed down through generations, symbolising faith and the power attributed to Father Antonio’s prayers.

Understanding the potential impact the incident could have on the local community, and the possible repercussions of arresting the priest, the Governor chose to grant Father Antonio a small plot of land near the site.

On this land, Rev. Fr. Antonio constructed a modest hut, which the locals called the “Kochiyage Kade” (the boutique of Kochchiya). The name quickly became associated with the area itself. Rev. Fr. Antonio, originally from Cochin, India, inspired the community to refer to the place as “Kochchikade”. 

This humble hut gradually grew under Ref. Fr. Antonio’s care into a chapel. It is believed that the present miraculous statue stands at the very spot where the remains of the beloved Rev. Fr. Antonio was laid to rest.

In 1822, Mana Mudaliyar, accompanied by a group of followers, journeyed to Goa to procure a statue revered for its miraculous powers. Upon their return, the statue was ceremoniously installed on the altar of the old church, becoming a focal point of veneration for the devotees. To this day, the statue is enshrined next to the main altar of shrine. 

History holds, that support for the construction of a larger church came not only from the local Catholic community but also from people of various faiths, as well as Government and military officials who acknowledged the spiritual significance of the site.

Marking a new chapter

The new church was built under the leadership of the Vicar General, Very Rev. Fr. Caetano Antonio, marking a new chapter in the development of what would become a major centre of worship and pilgrimage to-date in Sri Lanka. The remains of the first Archbishop of Colombo, Christopher Bonjean, were interred in this very church, further cementing its place as a site of deep historical and spiritual significance. 

By 1828, with numerous improvements made to accommodate the growing crowds, the church had firmly established itself as the central place of devotion to St. Anthony. 

St. Anthony of Padua is widely known as the ‘Patron Saint of Lost and Stolen Items’. Born in the city of Lisbon in Portugal, and later living in Padua, Italy, he gained fame for his powerful preaching, deep knowledge of scripture, and compassion for the poor. Canonised just a year after his passing at the age of 36 years, St. Anthony’s legacy endures through countless miracles credited to his intercession and the global devotion he has inspired. Often seen holding the infant Jesus and a lily, he remains a symbol of faith, purity, and hope, drawing millions to churches and shrines dedicated to his name.

A landmark moment in the history of St. Anthony’s Shrine, Kochchikade, took place on 7 March 2010, when a sacred relic of St. Anthony of Padua was brought from Italy to Sri Lanka. This historic event coincided with the shrine’s 175th jubilee anniversary and drew thousands of Catholic and non-Catholic devotees in a powerful celebration of faith and heritage.

Under the guidance of His Eminence Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith, then Archbishop of Colombo, special arrangements were made to receive the relic from St. Anthony’s Basilica in Padua, one of the most revered pilgrimage sites in the Catholic world. Its arrival marked a spiritual milestone for the local faithful and reaffirmed the shrine’s enduring legacy of miracles and devotion.

The 191st Feast of St. Anthony’s Shrine, Kochchikade is organised under the stewardship of the Administrator, Rev. Fr. Jude Samantha Fernando, and Asst. Administrator, Rev. Fr. Namal Nishshanka.

Much-anticipated feast day draws near

As the much-anticipated feast day draws near, visitors and devotees arriving at the Shrine will notice a flurry of activity taking place throughout the premises. Refurbishment efforts are currently underway, with workers and volunteers diligently preparing the church grounds to ensure everything is in order for the celebration. 

An eco-conscious initiative is also taking root with a variety of plants placed around the church, adding vibrant greenery to the surroundings. This effort aims not only to enhance the beauty of the site but also to promote an eco-friendlier and more sustainable atmosphere.

During the festive season, devotees are invited to inscribe their personal intentions on flags, which will then be tied to the flagstaff as a symbolic act of raising their petitions to the Creator, Almighty.

A series of nine special novenas, each reflecting on aspects of human life, will be conducted from 3 to 11 June 2025 in both Sinhala and Tamil.

The Vespers Service will be held on 12 June 2025 at 7 p.m. and will be presided over by His Eminence Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith.

On the Feast Day, 13 June 2025, Festive Masses will be celebrated in all three languages (Sinhala, Tamil, and English) from 4 a.m. until 12 noon.

The traditional procession, carrying the statue of St. Anthony, will commence at 5:30 p.m. from the Shrine premises. At the end of the procession, the celebration will be concluded with the final blessing by His Eminence at approximately 8:30 p.m.

FT Quick Take

• A series of nine special novenas, each reflecting on aspects of human life, will be conducted from 3 to 11 June 2025 in both Sinhala and Tamil. The Vespers Service will be held on 12 June 2025 at 7 p.m. and will be presided over by His Eminence Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith.
• On the Feast Day, 13 June 2025, Festive Masses will be celebrated in all three languages (Sinhala, Tamil, and English) from 4 a.m. until 12 noon. The traditional procession, carrying the statue of St. Anthony, will commence at 5:30 p.m. from the Shrine premises. At the end of the procession, the celebration will be concluded with the final blessing by His Eminence at approximately 8:30 p.m.