2,103 pilgrims from TN to attend Katchatheevu church festival

MADURAI: As many as 2,103 pilgrims from Tamil Nadu will sail across the Palk Strait to attend the annual festival of St Antony’s Church on the Katchatheevu islet. The festival will be held on February 23 and 24.
The pilgrims – consisting of 1,698 men, 352 women and 53 children -- will sail on 60 boats. There will be two spare boats too. Each boat will take 35 pilgrims, and spare boats will be manned by crew only.
The pilgrims will leave Rameswaram on Friday morning after screening by various state and central government agencies.
Upon reaching the islet, there will be flag hoisting followed by a holy mass, said Fr A Antonysamy, parish priest of Verkodu church in Rameswaram who is coordinating the pilgrimage.
On Saturday morning, Jaffna bishop Justin Gnanaprakasam will celebrate a grand mass. The mass is likely to be attended by dignitaries from Sri Lanka. The festival will end by Saturday afternoon and pilgrims will return to the country.
Some prayers during the festival would be in Sinhalese as demanded by Sinhalese pilgrims attending the service, said Fr Antonysamy.
In view of the festival, fishing activities across the Palk Strait will be suspended starting Wednesday.
Meanwhile, 109 fishermen released from Sri Lankan jails are likely to be repatriated by Tuesday evening, according fishermen sources.