On November 16, 1913, the Most Reverend Vincenzo SARDI, Vicar Apostolic of Constantinople, Turkey consecrated a church dedicated to St. Anthony of Padua in Istanbul, Turkey. Since then, the community of the Friars Minor Conventuals in Istanbul has celebrated this event every November 16.
This year, November 16 fell on a Tuesday, a day usually dedicated to St. Anthony; so the friars decided to arrange a special celebration.
At 11:30 a.m., the Most Reverend Lorenzo PIRETTO, Apostolic Administrator of Istanbul, presided over Mass in the basilica, attended by many faithful and tourists.
The basilica was consecrated 108 years ago. Since then, there has been restoration work on its external walls, facade and bell tower. In thanksgiving to the Lord, and in acknowledgement of the donors and workers, the friars produced a commemorative silver chalice, which was blessed during the Mass.
The chalice has images of the Franciscan saints Francis, Clare and Anthony around the cup and images of the sainted Popes John XXIII, Paul VI and John Paul II around the base. An inscription on the bottom reads: Friars Luigi IANNITTO, Michał SABATURA, Andrzej DYLEWSKI, Anton BULAI, Iulian PIŞTA, Iosif ROBU, and Andrei BEJAN of the Basilica of Sent Antuan in Beyoğlu, Istanbul, thank God at the conclusion of the restoration work outside the basilica. With gratitude to the benefactors, KIRCHE IN NOT, MISSIO, and ERZBISTUM KÖLN. 2019-2021.
With the gift of this chalice, the Franciscan community expressed its sincere appreciation for all the benefactors who supported this restoration. The friars infused the chalice with profound gratitude to the benefactors. The benefactors are: Kirche in Not (Aid to the Church in Need Foundation), Missio (Pontifical Mission Societies) and the Archdiocese of Cologne.
May the current splendor of the basilica, chalice and altar, express the beauty of the hearts of the Christians who pray here and shine with an authentic witness to the Franciscan life of the Friars Minor Conventual of Istanbul!
Friar Michał SABATURA
