Pastoral Visit of Bishop Most Rev. Dr. Peter Paul Saldanha to Adyapady-Anthonykatte Parish

Adyapady-Anthonykatte, June 20–21, 2026: The faithful of Adyapady-Anthonykatte Parish were greatly blessed and spiritually enriched by the two-day Pastoral Visit of the Bishop of Mangalore, Most Rev. Dr. Peter Paul Saldanha, held on 20th and 21st June 2026. The visit provided an opportunity for the parish community to interact closely with their shepherd, receive spiritual guidance, and strengthen their faith.

Grand Welcome to the Bishop : On Saturday, 20th June 2026, at 3.30 p.m., the Bishop was accorded a warm and traditional welcome at the entrance of Anthonykatte Church. The reception was led by Parish Priest Rev. Fr. Francis Rodrigues, Vice President Mr. Rajesh D’Costa, Secretary Mrs. Sujatha D’Souza, members of the Parish Pastoral Council, and a large gathering of parishioners.

The faithful assembled in large numbers to witness this historic occasion and expressed their joy and devotion by accompanying the Bishop in a solemn procession to the church while singing the traditional Konkani hymn “Jezu Borya Govlya.” Upon reaching the church, the formal ceremony of the pastoral visitation was conducted.

Bishop’s Message to the Faithful: Special prayers were offered for the Bishop and for the Universal Church. Addressing the parish community, Bishop Peter Paul Saldanha explained the meaning and origin of the words “Church” and “Catholic,” helping the faithful understand their identity and mission as members of the Catholic Church. He further emphasized practical ways of strengthening faith in daily life, becoming authentic witnesses of Christ in society, and responding to the universal call to holiness and sainthood. His enlightening reflections inspired the faithful to deepen their commitment to Christian living.

Holy Eucharist and Spiritual Guidance: The Bishop then celebrated the Holy Eucharist along with Parish Priest Rev. Fr. Francis Rodrigues and Rev. Fr. Ivan D’Souza, Secretary to the Bishop. During his homily, the Bishop highlighted the important responsibility of parents in nurturing the faith of their children. He urged parents to ensure that their children are trained in prayer and are grounded in the fundamental teachings of the Church as expressed in the Creed. He also explained various practical ways through which individuals and families can grow in faith and remain steadfast in their Christian vocation.

Visit to the Cemetery and Meetings: Following the Holy Mass, the Bishop visited the parish cemetery at Anthonykatte and blessed the graves, praying for the departed faithful. Thereafter, he interacted with parishioners over tea and coffee, sharing moments of fellowship and encouragement. Later, the Bishop held a meeting with the members of the Parish Finance Council and Parish Pastoral Council at Adyapady. During the interaction, he elaborated on their responsibilities and encouraged them to work collaboratively for the spiritual and temporal growth of the parish.

The day concluded with a fellowship dinner shared with the members of the Parish Pastoral Council.

Confirmation Programme: The second day of the pastoral visit commenced on Sunday, 21st June 2026, with a special session for the Confirmation candidates at 7.30 a.m. The Bishop interacted with the confirmands and engaged them in a meaningful discussion on the themes “Confirmed in the Spirit,” “Confirmed in Discipleship,” and “Confirmed in Holiness.” Through questions and answers, he encouraged them to understand the significance of the Sacrament of Confirmation and their role as active members of the Church.

Administration of the Sacrament of Confirmation: The Bishop then celebrated the Holy Eucharist together with Rev. Fr. Francis Rodrigues and Rev. Fr. Ivan D’Souza. During the Eucharistic celebration, he administered the Sacrament of Confirmation to 19 children of the parish, invoking the gifts of the Holy Spirit upon them and encouraging them to live as committed disciples of Christ.

After the Mass, the Bishop visited the parish cemetery at Adyapady and blessed the graves, praying for the faithful departed.

Visit to the Sick and Elderly : One of the most touching moments of the pastoral visitation was the Bishop’s visit to the homes of the aged and sick parishioners. He personally met them, offered prayers, blessed them, and brought them comfort and spiritual encouragement. His compassionate presence was deeply appreciated by the families.

Interaction with Parish Associations and BCC : Throughout the visit, the Bishop met members of the various parish associations and organizations. His inspiring and invigorating messages motivated them to continue their service to the Church with renewed zeal and dedication. At 4.00 p.m., the Bishop attended a Basic Christian Community (BCC) gathering in St. Joseph Ward, where he interacted with the families and encouraged them to strengthen family prayer and community participation.

Conclusion of the Pastoral Visit: The pastoral visitation officially concluded at 6.00 p.m. on 21st June 2026. The two-day visit was a memorable and grace-filled experience for the entire parish community. The faithful expressed their gratitude to Bishop Peter Paul Saldanha for his fatherly guidance, spiritual wisdom, and encouraging presence. Indeed, the pastoral visit of our Bishop proved to be a source of blessings, renewal, and inspiration for the people of Adyapady-Anthonykatte Parish. It was truly an awesome experience to have our shepherd amidst us, and the parish remains thankful for the many graces received through his visit.