Unveiling the Power of Faith at St. Anthony’s Shrine
Photo courtesy of Explore Sri Lanka
In the heart of Kochchikade, a small but vibrant community has been coming together for decades to celebrate their faith and spirituality at St. Anthony’s Shrine. This site, nestled in the midst of a bustling city, has become a beacon of hope and solace for people from all walks of life. For Sulochana Peiris, a documentary filmmaker, St. Anthony’s Shrine is more than just a place of worship; it is a symbol of resilience, community and the human spirit.
The Easter Sunday attacks in April 2019 shook the country, leaving deep scars and a sense of uncertainty in its wake. Multiple bombings targeted churches and hotels, resulting in the loss of hundreds of lives and causing widespread destruction. The attacks had a profound impact on the community, particularly the Catholic community, and raised questions about faith, resilience and the power of community in the face of adversity. Six years later, Sulochana’s documentary on St. Anthony’s Shrine takes on a deeper significance, highlighting the shrine’s role as a beacon of hope and solace for those affected by the bomb blast.
The idea for the documentary was born out of a commission from the International Centre for Ethnic Studies to highlight the shrine’s significance in the aftermath of the Easter Sunday attacks. Sulochana, with her extensive experience in peace building and reconciliation-oriented storytelling, brought her expertise and passion to the table, weaving a narrative that would interest audiences and leave a lasting impact.
“I already had a relationship with the church because I had done stories previously for my documentary on Buddhist supremacy and freedom of religion of minority communities. I knew the kind of story that I wanted to highlight six years after the Easter Sunday violence,” she said.
Through her documentary she takes viewers on a journey to the shrine where they meet people from different faiths and backgrounds. One of the devotees she spoke to was a woman who had lost her husband. Despite her grief, she found comfort in her faith and the support of the shrine community.
“I was asking St. Anthony to give me strength and relief from my grief,” she said. “He has given me the strength to raise my two young daughters and now they’re doing well. One is a doctor and the other one is in university,” she said.
The documentary features a doctor who is a Hindu but believes in the miraculous powers of St. Anthony. “I’ve seen many patients who have been healed through their faith in St. Anthony,” she said. “It’s amazing to see how people from different faiths come together and find common ground.”
The Muslim community also plays a significant role in the shrine’s festivities with many Muslims participating in the procession and offering their support to the Catholic devotees. Muslims in the community have been attending church services and participating in Catholic festivities since they were young. “We’ve been going to church since we were small. It’s a cultural tradition that’s been passed down through generations. Our parents took us to church and now we take our children. It’s a generational thing,” one person said. This blending of traditions and faiths is a testament to the community’s commitment to interfaith understanding and harmony. As the documentary shows, the Shrine of St. Anthony is more than just a place of worship; it’s a symbol of community, respect and solidarity.
The shrine’s history dates back to the colonial era and, over the years, it has become an integral part of the community’s fabric. Despite facing challenges and adversity, the shrine has continued to thrive and its significance extends beyond the Catholic community.
“The shrine has continued to bring relief to different communities. It’s not divided. It’s actually a place where people can come together and find common ground,” Sulochana pointed out. “Faith is a powerful thing; it can bring people together and give them hope in times of adversity.”
One of the highlights of the documentary is the Feast of St. Anthony that takes place every year. The feast is a vibrant celebration of faith and community with devotees coming from all over the country to participate in the festivities. The documentary captures the essence of this celebration, showcasing the colourful processions, the traditional food and the sense of community that pervades the event. People dress in their finest attire with many wearing traditional clothing and decorations.
The procession is a grand affair with the statue of St. Anthony being carried through the streets on a chariot. As the chariot moves, devotees throw flowers and offer prayers. When the chariot stops, people gather around to offer prayers and seek blessings.
Through her documentary, Sulochana showcases the power of faith and its ability to bring people together. It highlights the stories of devotees who have found solace and healing through their faith and demonstrates the shrine’s significance as a sacred space for people from all walks of life. By sharing these stories, the documentary promotes interfaith understanding and tolerance and highlights the importance of community and resilience in the face of adversity.
