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Bursting of crackers, prayer by thousands of devotees and blessings marked the inauguration of newly constructed chapel - Capuchin Franciscans at St Anne’s Friary on Jail Road here on Tuesday.

Karnataka Provincial Minister of Holy Trinity Province Rev Fr Dolphy Joseph Pais inaugurated the chapel, while Mangalore Diocese Bishop Rev Dr Aloysius Paul D’ Souza blessed the chapel. Renovated St Antony’s shrine was blessed by Fr Bertrand D’Cunha, mini hall was inaugurated by Fr Dolphy Serrao and Fr Fredrick D’Souza inaugurated the Marian grotto.

The Eucharistic celebration was presided over by Rev Dr Aloysius Paul D’Souza, in which priests and devotees participated. Fr Dolphy Pais, in his address said: “One may ask while God himself lives in every soul, is a place for worship required? In fact, a place for worship is required. We can only make our lives worthy by being good, and in order to be good, we need to pray together.”

A thanksgiving and felicitation programme followed the mass. A souvenir on the life of Capuchins, by Fr Fredrick D’Souza (pen name Brother Junifer) and ‘Gaytha Aathmik Thalo’, an audio compilation of hymns by Fr Dolphy Serrao were released on the occasion.

Beautiful building
The beautiful chapel has the blessings of St Francis of Assissi at the left side of the entrance with an image of St Pio. The prayer of peace by St Francis of Assissi with a painting of St Clare of Assissi. St Antony’s shrine, St Pio shrine and Divine Mercy Retreat Centre are inside St Anne’s friary premises. More than thousand devotees gather at Divine Mercy Retreat Centre, which is known as a place of miracles, on every Friday.

The land of friary was gifted by George Lobo, a retired jailor in memory of his deceased wife, Annie Lobo in 1936. Hence the friary was named after St Anne. Earlier, the Friary was used only as a residence and centre for Franciscan gatherings. Superior of St Anne’s Friary Fr Peter Cyprian D’Souza and others were present on the occasion.