This year marks the 18th Anniversary of the annual pilgrimage of Srilankans living in Italy.

 

As usual a large crowd of Catholics and non-Catholics arrived at Padua to thank St. Anthony for

 

the graces they received during the past year.

 

The High Festive Mass was celebrated by the Archbishop of Colombo, Rt. Reverend Malcolm

 

Cardinal Ranjith and co-celebrated by the Bishop of Kurunegala, Bishop Harold Anthony Perera

 

and National Director of Srilankan Migrants and Clergy in Italy, Rt. Rev. Mgr. Neville Joe Perera.

 

This year is a different year as Bishop Antonio Mattiazzo said as it is his last year as Bishop of

 

Padua, His Lordship underlined the strong faith of Srilankans to the Saint of Padua.

 

In the beautiful sermon of His Eminence Card. Ranjith, we found an encouragement to

 

strengthen our faith in the prayers.

 

At the end of the Holy Mass, Rt. Rev. Bishop Harold A. Perera as the Chairman of the Srilankan

 

National Commission for Migrants care thanked Msgr. Neville Joe Perera for His dedication to

 

help the spiritual and social problems of the Srilankan migrants in Italy.

 

Subsequently after the vote of thanks and apprecition of His Grace Archbishop Giovanni

 

Tonucci, Bishop – Prelate of the Basilica, Msgr. Neville thanked Rev. Fr. Enzo Poiana the Rector

 

of the Basilica; a long-time friend of our Motherland.

 

The Function ended with the Solemn Blessing with the relic of St. Anthony from the “Loggia

 

delle Benedizioni” by Bishop Harold Perera.