Katchachthivu Island’s St. Anthony Church on Saturday witnessed the last day of the two-day annual St. Anthony festival.
A day earlier, fishermen from India and Sri Lanka took part in the flag-hoisting ceremony and the ‘Way of the Cross’ procession at the church dedicated to St. Anthony on the uninhabited Kachchathivu Island.
Father Kennady said, “Katchathivu Island is a harmonious place that embraces everyone.” On fishermen from India and Sri Lanka celebrating the festival on the Island, Father Kennady said, “People from all over Sri Lanka and India have come here to honour St. Anthony.”
After the annual Mass and procession at the island church, the Indian fishermen pilgrims will begin to return back to India, he said. Earlier, the Indian Coast Guard (ICG) had deployed ships and an aircraft to ensure the safety of fishermen travelling to the Island for the annual two-day festival. Commanding Officer of ICG Station Mandapam, Commodore B. Vinay Kumar, had said that over 3,400 pilgrims headed to the Sri Lankan island for the event.
Commanding officer of an ICG interceptor-class boat, Deputy Commandant Abhishek Yadav, said that the Indian Coast Guard provided security coverage for the fishermen before handing them over to the Sri Lankan Navy for the festival.
“Charlie 431 and 431 (ships), one ACV dornier and one more fast patrol vessel were present to facilitate the easy movement of fishermen from Rameswaram to Katchathivu island and back,” he said.
– ANI
