MIRACLES MULTIPLY AT BANGLADESH’S TOP CATHOLIC SHRINE

Jolekha Begum is eight months pregnant but the Muslim primary school teacher still travelled more than 150 kilometres across Bangladesh on a wintry morning in late January to worship at a miracle-bestowing shrine that has gained fame nationwide. This year, about 50,000 devotees flocked there to attend the feast on Feb. 2, which was presided over by Cardinal Patrick D’Rozario. Traditionally, it is celebrated ahead of Lent, which begins on Feb. 14 this year, rather than on June 13, St Anthony’s feast day in the church’s liturgical calendar. Most devotees are Catholics from Dhaka Archdiocese’s Bhawal region, one of country’s oldest and largest Catholic strongholds covering seven parishes.