Tikam Prayers to Saint Anthony

Hundreds of ancient statues of Catholic saints can be found in Larantuka and its environs. The centuries-old Portuguese heritage is kept in private chapels and village homes.

April 29, 2003

Gregorius Sinyo Monterio kissed the forehead of the statue of St. Anthony from Padua. Then he said: "Many worshippers say their tikam (spontaneous) prayers before the saint." Erected on an altar, the mini-sized St. Anthony is clad in green with flower embroideries. His arms embrace little Jesus. In the house of Gregorius, 75, located beside the entrance of the Chapel of Tuan Ma, the figure is placed in a room measuring 3x4 square meters. This

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