List of Parishes in Kottar Diocese:

1 Alencholai (2009) Church of Our Lady of Lourdes, Alancholai, Kaliyel 629 161 Substations: Chanelkarai – St. Francis De Sales Chittar – St. Thomas 2 Alanvilai ( 1968) Church of Our Lady of Lourdes, Alanvilai, Karenkadu 629 809 Substations: Kurunthancode – St. Joseph 3. Alenchy (1961) Church of St. Francis Xavier, Alenchy, Palapallam 629 159 4. Ambalakadai (2009) Church of S Petr & Paul, Ambalakadai Citharal 629 151 Substations: Mathoorkonam – Holy Redeemer 5. Amsi (1958) Church of the Imm. Heart of Mary, Amsi, Maniaremkunnu, Thengapattanam 629 173 Substations: Oottukuzhy – O.L. of Per. Succour, Osarathuvilai – St. John Bosco (Fathimapuram) 6. Ananada Nagar (2004) Church of Our Lady of Good Health, Ananada Nagar, Via. Asaripallam 629 201 7. Annai Nagar (2002) Church of Our Lady of Snows, Annai Nagar, Pallam 629 601 8. Appattuvilai (2011) Church of St. Antony, Appattuvilai 629 175, Thuckalay 629 175 9. Appattuvilai (1999) Church of St. Joseph, Appattuvilai 629 175 Substations: Puliyoorkurichy – St. Michael 10. Aralvaimozhy-Arockia Nagar (2004) Church of Our Lady of Good Health, Arockia Nagar, Aralvaimozhy 629 301 Substations: Chanthaivilai -O.L. of Good Health Subash Nagar – Infant Jesus 11. Aralvaimzohy- Kurusady ( 1961) Church of Our Lady of Sorrows, Devasahayam Mount, Aralvaimozhy 629 301 Substations: Vellamadam – St. Martin De Porres 12. Arockiapuram (1990) Church of Our Lady of Good Health, Arockiapuram, Leepuram, Kanyakumari 629 702 13. Arockiapuram (2006)(Thinghal Nagar), Church of St. Roch, Arockiapuram, Neyyoor 629 802 Substations: Monday Market – Our Lady of Fatima Thachamparampu – St. Francis Xavier 14. Asaripallam – Kil (1940) Church of Our Lady of Snows, Kil-Asariallam, Asaripallam 629 201 Substations: Asaripallam – St. Antony 15. Asaripallam – Mel (1909) Church of St. Michael, Mel-Asaripallam, Asaripallam 629 201 Substations: Pampanvilai – Our Lady of Lourdes 16. Attoor (1991) Church of St. Andrew, Attoor 629 191 17. Azhikal (2010) Church of St. Mary, Azhikal, Muttom 629 202 18. Carmel Nagar (1970) Church of the Holy Family, Carmel Nagar, Nagercoil 629 004 19. Chekkady (2006) Church of O.L. of Perpetual Succour, Chekkaday, Arumanalloor 629 853 Substations: Claret Mount – St. Antony Maria Claret 20. Chemparuthivilai (1939) Church of St, Antony of Padua, Chemparuthivilai, Mekkamandapam 629 166 Substations: Eathavilai – Christ the King Mekkamandapam – O.L. of Assumption 21. Cherukol Karumbuthottam (2010) Church of St. Antony, Cherukol, Karumbuthottam, Kattathurai 629 158 Substations: Kattuvilai – Our L. Per. Succour 22. Cheruvalloor (1930) Church of St. Michael Archangel, Cheruvalloor 629 152 Substations: Thomayarpuram – St. Thomas Mancode – St. Joseph 23. Chetticharvilai (2010) Church of Little Flower, Chetticharvilai, Veeyanoor P.O. 629 177 Substations: Verkilambi – Our Lady of Mt. Carmel 24. Chinnamuttom (1999) Church of St. Thomas, Chinnamuttom, Kanyakumari 629 702 25. Chinnavilai (1993) Church of St. Antony, Chinnavilai, Manavalakurichy 629 252 26. Choozhal (1991) Church of St. Michael Archangel, Choozhal, Fatima Nagar 629 160 Substations: Manali – St. Theresa of Child Jesus 27. Christu Nagar (1970) Church of Christ the King, Christu Nagar, Nagercoil 629 003 Substations: Parvathipuram – Infant Jesus 28. Colachel (1600) Church of Our Lady of Presentation, Colachel 629 251 29. Eanchacode ( 2009) Church of Our Lady of Per. Help, Eanchacode, Ponmanai 629 161 Substations: Ponmanai – Our Lady of Assumption 30. Elavuvilai (1972) Church of St. Aloysius, Elavuvilai 629 171 Substations: Sadayankuzhy – O.L. of Per. Succour 31. Enayam (1870) Church of St. Helen, Enayam, Keezhkulam 629 193 32. Enayam Puthenthurai (1936) Church of St. Antony, Enayam Puthenthurai, Keezhkulam 629 193 33. Ettamadai (1971) Church of the Holy Family, Ettamadai, Azhakiapandipuram 629 851 34. Fatimapuram ( 2012) Church of Our Lady of Fatima, Fatimapuram, Kollencode 629 169 Substations: Kakkavilai – St. Paul 35. Helen Nagar (2006) Church of St. Francis Xavier, Helen Nagar, Keezhkulam 629 193 36. Iruthayapuram (Kulapuram 2002) Church of Christ the King, Iruthayapuram, Fatima Nagar 629 160 Substations: Santhapuram – St. Theresa of Child Jesus Mananvilai – St. Mary 37. Ithayapuram (Kottavilai 2005) Church of the Sacred Heart, Ithayapuram, Vericode 629 165 38. Kadayal (1952) Church of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, Kadayal 629 101 Substations: Kilathoor – St. Joseph Ponkalai – St. Antony 39. Kadiapattanam (1916) Church of SS Peter and Paul, Kadiapattanam 629 252 40. Kaliakkavilai (1973) Church of St. Antony, Kaliakkavilai 629 153 Substations: Paramanvillai-Church of O.L. Assumption 41. Kalimar (1997) Church of St. Joseph, Kalimar, Colachel 629 251 Substations: Irumpily – St. Antony Nesavalar Veethi – St. Sebastian 42. Kalkurichy (1954) Church of St. Joseph, Kalkurichy, Thuckalay 629 175 Substations: Paruthiaraithottam – St. Michael 43. Kallaravilai (2011) Church of Our Lady of Fatima, Kallaravilai, Chenkodi 629 177 Substations: Machuvilai – St. Antony 44. Kallukoottam (2008) Church of Our Lady of Fatima, Kallukoottam, West Neyyoor 629 808 Substations: Pillavilai- Our L. of Vailankanni. 45. Kamplar (2008) Church St. Joseph, Kamplar, Tholayavattanam 629 159 Substations: Tholayavattam -Annai Veilankanni 46. Kanavoor (1984) Church of Christ the King, Kanavoor, Udayamarthandam 629 178 47. Kandanvilai (1944) Church of St. Theresa of Child Jesus, Kandanvilai 629 802 Substations: Chithenthope – O.L. of Ransom Eraniel – St. Thomas 48. Kandarvilagam (2005) Church of Our Lady of Fatima, Kandarvilagam, Vaniakudy 629 251 49 Kanjampuram (1972) Church of St. Theresa of Child Jesus, Kanjampuram 629 154 Substations: Valanoor – St. Joseph Varuvilai – St. Joseph 50. Kanjiracode (1975) Church of Our Lady of Rosary, Kanjiracode 629 155 Substations: Eraviputhurkadai – O.L. of Presentation Manchady – St. Joseph Chirayankuzhy – St. Michael the Archangel 51. Kanyakumari Church of Our Lady of Ransom, Kanyakumari 629 702 Substations: Anjukoottuvilai – St. Antony 52. Kappiarai (1966) Church of St. Catherine, Kappiarai 629 156 53 Kappucadu (1955) Church of Kallithattu St. Antony, Kappucadu, Kunnathoor 629 162 Substations: Vilathurai – St. Francis Xavier Annai Nagar – O.L. of Velankanni (Irenipuram) 54. Karenkadu (1778) Church of St. Aloysius Gonzaga, Karenkadu 629 809 Substations: Kuzhivilai – St. Michael Archangel Nullivilai – St. Antony Nullivilai – Our Lady of Mt. Carmel 55. Kattuvilai (2004) Church of Our Lady of Annunciation, Kattuvilai, Vellichandhai 629 203 Substations: Thalavaipuram – St. Antony 56. Kesavanputhenthurai (1970) Church of the Imm. Heart of Mary, Kesavanputhenthurai, Eathamozhy 629 501 57. Kodimunai (1954) Church of St. Barthalomeo, Kodimunai, Colachel 629 251 58. Kolvel (1973) Church of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel, Kolvel, Thiruvarambu 629 183 Substations: Ambankalai – O.L. of Missions Kuruvikadu – St. Antony

59. Konam (2004) Church of St. Anne,  Konam, Nagercoil 629 004 60. Konamcadu (1964) Church of St. Francis Xavier, Konamkadu, West Neyyoor 629 803 Substations: Varthanvilai – St. Antony 61. Konnakuzhivilai (2008) Church of Our Lady of Sorrows, Konnakuzhivilai, Villukury 629 180 Substations: Aaloor – St. Nicholas 62. Koottamavu (2001) Church of Our Lady of Perpetual Succour, Koottamavu, Mulagumoodu 629 167 63. Kottar (1600) Cathedral of St. Francis Xavier, Kottar, Nagercoil 629 002 Substations: Elankadai – St. Antony Thengamputhur – St. Anne 64. Kottaram (2005) Church of St. Jude Thadeus, Kottaram 629 703 Substations: Elangamanipuram-St. Antony 65. Kottilpadu (1969) Church of St. Alex, Kottilpadu, Colachel 629 251 66 Kottoorkonam (2001) Church of Infant Jesus, Kottoorkonam, Kulasekharam 629 161 67 Kovalam (1943) Church of St. Ignatius, Kovalam, Via. Kanyakumari 629 702 68. Kozhiporvilai (1997) Church of St. Michael, Kozhiporvilai, Kuzhicode 629 167 Substations: Mallanvilai – St. Francis Xavier Muhamathoor – Christ the King 69. Kulasekharam (1931) Church of St. Augustine, Kulasekharam 629 161 Substations: Packiad – Holy Spirit Cheruthikonam-Our Lady of Lourdes(2008) 70. Kurumbanai (1905) Church of St. Ignatius of Loyola, Kurumbanai, Colachel 629 251 71. Kurusady (1940) Church of St. Antony, Kurusady, Nagercoil 629 004 72. Kuttaicadu (1984) Church of St. Jude Thadeus, Kuttaikadu, Kattathurai 629 158 Substations: Saicode – Christ the King 73. Kuzhivilai (2011) Church of St. Francis Xavier, Kuzhivilai, Kappiarai 629 156 74. Lourdugiri (1975) Church of Our Lady of Lourdes, Lourdugiri, Manjalumoodu, Anducode 629 151 Substations: Anducode – Our Lady of Rosary (Pilavilai) Manjalumoodu – St. Antony 75. Madathattuvilai (1918) Church of St. Sebastian, Madathattuvilai 629 180 Substations: Villukury – St. Aloysius 76. Manakudy – Kil (1960) Church of the Holy Cross, Kil-Manakudy 629 602 77. Manakudy – Mel (1545) Church of St. Andrew, Mel-Manakudy 629 602 Substations: Kovilvilai – Arockia Matha 78. Manali (2000) Church of St. Antony, Manali, Thuckalay 629 175 Substations: Moolachel – O.L. of Fatima Palapally – Sacred Heart 79 Manalikarai (1913) Church of St. Joseph, Manalikarai 629 164 Substations: Kallankuzhy – O.L. of Assumption Kumarapuram – St. Michael Muhilankarai – O.L. of Good Health Perunchilampu – St. Sebastian Solapuram – St. Pius X Swamiyarmadam – St. Jude Thadeus 80. Manalikuzhivilai ( 2008) Church of St. Michael the Archangel, Manalikuzhivilai, Chemponvilai 629 804 81. Manavilai (2007) Church of Our Lady of Snows, Manavilai, Vellichanthani 629 203 Substations: Ammandivilai – Sacred Heart Thirunainarkurichy- St.Antony 82. Manchakonam (2006) Church of St. Therese of Child Jesus, Manchakonam, Thirparappu P.O. 629 161 83. Mangalakunnu (1939) Church of St. Bernadette, Mangalakunnu, Udayamarthandam 629 178 Substations: Sahayagiri – Our Lady of Perpertual Help 84. Mankuzhy (1906) Church of St. Francis Xavier, Mankuzhy, Neyyoor 629 802 Substations: Vadivilai – St. Antony 85. Maravankudieruppu (1983) Church of Our Lady of Snows, Maravankudieruppu, Nagercoil 629 002 Substations: N.G.O. Colony – Our Lady of Fatima 86. Marthandam (1979) Church of St. Francis Xavier, Marthandam 629 179 Substations: Nalloor – Christ the King Unnamalaikadai – O. L. of Ransom 87. Maruthancode (1997) Church of St. Antony, Maruthancode, Kuzhithurai 629 163 Substations: Kuzhithurai – St. Michael Amalapuram – Our Lady of Fatima 88. Mathal (1936) Church of St. Francis Xavier, Mathal, Boothapandy 629 852 Substations: Thittuvilai – St. Antony Kadukkarai – Our Lady of Rosary Kariankonam – St. Francis Xavier 89. Mathiravilai ( 1906) Church of Our Lady of Assumption, Mathiravilai, Thickanamcode 629 804 Substations: Arulanandapuram – St. John De Britto Thickanamcode – St. Antony 90. Mathoor (2009) Church of St. Joseph, Mathoor, Aruvikarai 629 177 Substations: Thatchoor – Christ the King 91. Mela Peruvilai (1990) Church of Our Lady of Rosary, Mela Peruvilai, Asaripallam 629 201 Substations: Kottavilai – Our Lady of Fatima Pallavilai – St. Sebastian 92. Mela Ramanputhur (1989) Church of the Holy Family, Mela Ramanputhur, Nagercoil 629 004 Substations: Thalavaipuram – St. George 93. Melpalai (1971) Church of Our Lady of Assumption, Melpalai, Edaicode 629 158 Substations: Iykkianagar – Transfiguration of Our Lord Mangalai – Our Lady of Fatima (Fatimapuram) 94. Melpuram (1967) Church of the Holy Guardian Angel, Melpuram, Pacode 629 168 Substations: Vattavilai – St. Francis Xavier Parakonam – Our Lady of Lourdes 95. Midalakadu (2003) Church of Good Shepherd, Midalakadu, Palappallam 629 159 96. Midalam – Kil (1932) Church of St. Joseph, Midalam, Udayamarthandam 629 178 97. Midalam – Mel (1992) Church of the Most Holy Trinity, Mel-Midalam, Udayamarthandam 629 178 98. Mukkalampadu (2011) Church of Our Lady of Sorrows, Mukkalampadu, Kurunthancode 629 805 Substations: Maavilai – St. Antony 99. Mulagumoodu ( 1860) Church of Our Lady of Nativity, Mulagumoodu 629 167 Substations: Kuzhivilai – St. Francis Xavier Vilavoor – Immaculate Conception 100. Mulavilai (1984) Church of Christ the King, Mulavilai, Veeyanoor 629 177 Substations: Elampilavilai – St. Francis Xavier Kallaravilai – Our Lady of Fatima Machuvilai – St. Antony 101. Mulanganavilai (1912) Church of St. Antony, Mullanganavilai, Karungal 629 157 Substations: Mankarai – Immaculate Conception Nattalam – Sacred Heart Tharathattu – St. Joseph 102. Munchirai (2000) Church of Our Lady of Good Health, Munchirai, Puthukadai 629 171 Substations: Sebastiyarpuram- St. Sebastian 103. Murasancode ( 1963) Church of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, Murasancode, Neyyoor 629 802 Substations: Elanthavilai – Holy Family Palayam – St. James Kannode – Our Lady of Good Health 104. Muttaicadu (2009) Church of St. Francis Xavier, Muttaicadu Kumarapuram 629 189 105. Muttom (1929) Church of All Saints, Muttom 629 202 Substations: James Nagar – O.L. of Good Health 106. Mylacode (1971) Church of St. Michael, Mylacode, Alencode, Neyyoor 629 802 Substations: Xavierpuram – St. Francis Xavier (Gramam) 107. Nagacode (1995) Church of St. Antony, Nagacode, Cheruppalloor 629 161 Substations: Ittahaveli – Divine Providence Aramannam – St. Thomas 108. Nagercoil (1980) Church of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, Assisi Campus, Nagercoil 629 001 109. Nallayanpuram (1979) Church of Good Shepherd, Nallayanpuram, Palugal 629 170 Substations: Christurajapuram – Christ the King 110. Packiapuram (1936) Church of St. Eusthachius, Packiapuram, Arumanai 629 151 Substations: Annai Nagar – Our Lady of Assumption Kunnathuvilai – St. Joseph 111. Pacode (1959) Church of the Sacred Heart, Pacode, Thickurichy 629 168 Substations: Nellickavilai – Our Lady of Lourdes Thickurichy – St. Gabriel 112. Padanilam ( 1999) Church of St. Pius X, Padanilam, Manavalakurichy 629 252 Substations: Thattanvilai – Our Lady of Refuge 113. Palavilai ( 2010) Churchof St. Antony, Palavilai, Kuzhithurai 629 163 114. Pallam (1939) Church of St.Mathew, Pallam 629 601 115. Palliady (1931) Church of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, Palliady 629 169 Substations: Cherikadai – St. Peter

116. Panavilai (2000) Church of the Holy Redeemer, Panavilai, Thickanamcode 629 804 Substations: Chellamkonam – St. Thomas Maruthancode – O.L. of Lourdes 117. Parakunnu (1968) Church of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, Parakunnu, Vanniyoor, Via. Kuzhithurai 629 163 Substations: Chemmankalai – St. Remigius 118. Pattarivilai (1979) Church of Our Lady of Snows, Pattarivilai, Neyyoor 629 802 Substations: Pallavilai – St. George Thalakulam – St. Sebastian 119. Pechiparai (1998) Church of St. Joseph, Pechiparai 629 161 Substations: Gothayar – Christ the King Valiyela – St. Vincent Pallotine 120. Periacadu (1971) Church of St. Antony of Padua, Periacadu, Eathamozhy 629 501 121. Periavilai (1993) Church of St. Vincent De Paul, Periavilai, Manavalakurichy 629 252 122. Pilavilai (2010) Church of St. George, Pilavilai, Azhaganparai 629 252 Substations: Keezha Kattuvilai – O.L. of Lourdes 123. Pillaithope (1847) Church of St. Joseph, Pillaithope, Muttom 629 202 124. Poottetty (1956) Church of St. Antony of Padua, Poottetty 629 157 Substations: Chentharai – St. Francis Xavier Paloor – St. Therese of Child Jesus Theruvukadai – O.L. of Good Health 125. Pozhikarai (1995) Church of St. Antony, Pozhikarai, Eathamozhy 629 501 126. Pullani (2008) Church of St. Antony, Pullani, Nattalam 629 195 Substations: Pullankuzhy – St. Francis Xavier Thittavilai – St.Michael the Archangel 127. Punnai Nagar (2008) Church of Our Lady of Lourdes, Punnai Nagar, Nagercoil 629 004 128. Puthenkadai (1908) Church of St. James, Puthenkadai, Thiruvattar 629 177 Substations: Kesavapuram – St. Sebastian Tettiyode – Our Lady of Snows 129. Puthenthurai (1700) Church of Our Lady of Rosary, Puthenthurai, Eathamozhy 629 501 Substations: Keezha Kattuvilai – O.L. of Lourdes 130. Puthoor (1933) Church of St. Lucia, Puthoor, Mondaikadu 629 252 Substations: Antoniyarpuram – St. Antony 131. Puthugraman (2001) Church of St. Michael, Puthugramam, Kanyakumari 629 702 Substations: Siluvai Nagar – Holy Cross Vavathurai – St. Roch 132. Puthukadai (1920) Church of Our Lady of Assumption, Puthukadai 629 171 133. Puthukudieruppu (2005) Church of St. Roch, Puthukudieruppu, Nagercoil 629 001 Substations: Arukuvilai – St. Theresa of Child Jesus 134. Rajakamangalam (1916) Church of Our Lady of Good Health, Rajakamangalam, Eathamozhy 629 501 Substations: Karavilai – St. Joseph 135. Rajavoor (1926) Church of St. Michael the Archangel, Rajavoor, Thoppoor 629 403 Substations: North Rajavoor – Our Lady of Presentation 136. Ramanathichenputhur (1946) Church of St. Ignatius of Loyola, Ramanathichenputhur, Marungoor 629 402 Substations: Amaravathivilai – St. Antony Marungoor – St. Antony Ramanathichenputhur – St.Roch 137. Ramanthurai (1968) Church of St. Barbara, Ramanthurai, Keezhkulam 629 193 138. Ramapuram (1986) Church of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, Ramapuram 629 303 Substations: Kulasekharanputhur – St. Antony 139. Ritapuram (1948) Church of St. Rita, Ritapuram, Palappallam 629 159 140. Sadayalputhur (1983) Church of Christ the King, Sadayalputhur, Vembanoor 629 801 Substations: Kodupaikuzhy – St. Paul Thalayankonam – O.L. of Assumption 141. Sahaya Nagar (1986) Church of Our Lady of perpetual Succour, Sahaya Nagar, Palapallam 629 159 142. Sahayapuram (1973) Church of O. L. of Perpetual Succour, Sahayapuram, Suchindram 629 704 Substations: Akkarai – St. Antony Mylaudy – St. Michael the Archangel, Kamaraj Nagar – St. Sebastian 143. Sarel (1940) Church of St Peter and Paul, Sarel 629 201 Substations: Ottayalkudy – St. Roch 144. Seethapal (2003) Church of St. Roch, Seethappal, Boothapandy 629 852 Substations: Thellanthi – St. Michael Erachakulam – St. Jude 145. Siluvaipuram (1936) Church of St. John of the Cross, Siluvaipuram, Kollencode 629 160 Substations: Fatimapuram – Our Lady of Fatima Kakkavilai – St. Paul 146. Simon Colony (2005) Church of St. Jude, Simon Colony 629 251 147. Thadikkarankonam (2003) Church of Our Lady of Snows, Thadikkarankonam 629 851 Substations: Valayathuvayal (Kalikasam) – Our Lady of Veilankanni Paraliaru – St. Antony Surulacode – St. Antony Veerapuli – Christ the King Keeriparai – St. Michael 148. Thamaraikulam ( 1966) Church of Our Lady of Snows, Thamaraikulam, South Thamaraikulam 629 708 149. Themanoor (1989) Church of Our Lady of Assumption, Themanoor, Thottavaram, Muvattumugam 629 177 Substations: Antonyarpuram – St. Antony Chitharal – St. Therese of Child Jesus 150. Thengapattanam (1984) Church of St. Lawrence the Deacon, Thengapattanam 629 173 151. Thirithuvapuram (1920) Church of the Most Holy Trinity, Thirithuvapuram, Kuzhithurai 629 163 152. Thirunainarkurichy (1993) Church of St. Antony, Thirunainarkurichy (Via) Ammandivilai 629 202 Substations: Ammandivilai – Sacred Heart 153. Thiruvithancode (2004) Church of the Ascension of Our Lord, Thiruvithancode 629 174 154. Thuckalay (1972) Church of St. Elias, Thuckalay 629 175 Substations: Padmanabhapuram – Our Lady of Assumption 155. Thumbali (2001) Church of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, Thumbali, Kappucadu, Kunnathur 629 162 Substations: Karumpilavilai – Sacred Heart of Jesus Udavilai – Christ the King 156. Thundathuvilai (1966) Church of St. Antony, Thundathuvilai, Karungal 629 157 Substations: Perumankuzhy – Infant Jesus Kannanvilai – O.L. of Perpetual Succour Karungal – St. Francis Xavier 157. Vadasery (1997) Church of St. James, Vadasery, Nagercoil 629 001 Substations: Krishnancoil – Our Lady of good Health Meenashipuram – St. Michael 158. Valvachakostam (2010) Church of St. Antony, Kunnamparai, Kattathurai P.O. 629 158 159. Vaniakudy ( 1924) Church of St. James, Vaniakudy, Colachel 629 251 160. Vanniyoor ( 2012) (Soosaipuram) Church of St. Joseph, Soosaipuram, Manchavilai, Meenachel 629 153 Substations: Thottachani – Risen Lord 161. Vattakarai (2006) Church of St. Joseph, Vattakarai, Nagercoil 629 004 Substations: Ponnappa Nadar Nagar – Infant Jesus 162. Vavarai (1924) Church of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel, Vavarai, S.T. Mangad 629 172 Substations: Konacherry – St. Antony Kuzhivilai – Our Lady of Good Health Puthucode – St. Joseph 163. Vedha Nagar (2005) Church of St. Michael, Vedha Nagar, Edalakudy, Nagercoil 629 002 164. Velliavilai (1996) Church of Good Shepherd, Velliavilai, Palapallam 629 159 165. Vellicode (1968) Church of Our Lady of Sorrows, Vellicode, Mulagumoodu 629 167 Substations: Irudayapuram – Sacred Heart Soosaipuram – St. Joseph Maruthurkurichy – Our Lady of Assumption 166. Vencode (1949) Church of St. Francis Xavier, Vencode, Puthukadai 629 171 Substations: Vellayambalam – St. Antony Veppuvilai – St. Roch Vettuvilai – St. Michael the Archangel 167. Vizhunthayambalam (1984) Church of St. Antony, Vizhunthayambalam. Substations: Mathapuram – Our Lady of Presentation 168. Yettacode (17.05.2010) Church of St. Francis Xavier, Yettacode, Veeyanoor 629 177 Substations: Mathar – St. Paul 169. Vattam (2012) Church of St. Antony, Vattam, Thiruvithancode 629 174 170. Vettuvenni – Quasi Parish Shrine of St. Antony, Vettuvenni, Kuzhithurai 629 165

History of the Diocese

The diocese of Kottar comprises the four revenue divisions (taluks) of Thovalai, Agasteeswaram (except the parish of Azhagappapuram of Thoothukudi diocese) Kalkulam and Vilavancode (except the eight coastal parishes of Thiruvananthapuram Archdiocese) in the civil district of Kanyakumari in Tamil Nadu.

Kanyakumari district has a unique position in the ecclesiastical map of India. Five Dioceses (Kottar, Thoothukudi and Thiruvananthapuram of the Latin rite, Thuckalay of Syro-Malabar rite and Marthandam of Syro-Malanakara rite) have their jurisdictions in this small district of 1685 square kilometres area. Besides the diocese of Kottar, Thuckalay and Marthandam dioceses, both established in 1996, have their headquarters in this district.

The area under the present diocese of Kottar had known the Christian faith several centuries before the arrival of the Portuguese on the West Coast. Monuments recently discovered in Chinna Muttom near Kanyakumari support it. The presence of St. Thomas Christians in Thiruvithancode, Kottar and other places in the district had also been attested by several missionaries under the Portuguese Padroado.

However with the arrival of the Portuguese missionaries, a small section of the local people known as Paravas became Christians in 1536-1537. Seven years after their conversion more than ten thousand fishermen known as ‘Mukkuvas” in the coastal villages from Poovar( now in the archdiocese of Thiruvananthapuram) to Pallam were baptized in 1544 by the greatest post-apostolic missionary of the Church, St. Francis Xavier. He was one among the first seven to take vows in the Society of Jesus founded by St. Ignatius of Loyola in 1534. The present Cathedral of St. Francis Xavier encompasses the church of St. Mary built by Francis Xavier.

With renewed efforts of the Sacred Congregation for the Propagation of the Faith (founded in 1622) Christian missionaries began to concentrate on and evangelize the interior parts of the area. Initially, attention was given to the conversion of the people of Vellala and Nair communities. Many from these communities embraced the Christian faith and prominent among them was the martyr of the diocese, Devasahayam Pillai (Lazar) aka Nilakanda Pillai.

He was born in the village of Nattalam in 1712 and was an official in the palace of King Marthanda Varma of Thiruvithancore. He was converted to Christian faith by the gentle efforts of a captured captain of the Dutch Navy, Eustachius De Lannoy who later became the Chief Admiral of the King’s army (In Malayalam he was known as Valia Capitatan). Nilakanda Pillai was baptized as Lazar (Devasahayam) at the hands of Rev. Fr. John Baptist Buttari, S. J., Parish priest of Vadakkankulam in 1745. The king tried in vain to entice him back to Hinduism. Then, the enraged king ordered him to be arrested and shot to death. After enduring torture for three years, Devasahayam Pillai was taken to Kattadimalai, Alravaimozhi, and shot to death on January 14, 1752. His mortal remains were interred in the church of St. Francis Xavier, which in turn became the Cathedral of the Diocese of Kottar in 1930.

The 18th century witnessed the rapid growth of Christianity in the interior parts of the area, following large scale conversion of the people of Nadar community. Vencode and Karenkadu were the centres of evangelization and conversion. With the creation of Verapoly- Varapuzha- Vicariate, the Portuguese Padroado system came to an end in this area except in the then seven parishes from Eraymanthura to Neerodi. In 1853, Kollam vicariate was established and was placed under the care of the Belgian Carmelite missionaries. With the establishment of the Hierarchy in India in 1886, Kollam became a diocese that extended from Mavelikara in the north to Kottar( Nagercoil) in the south, and Kottar became the centre of the southern part of Kollam diocese.

The Swiss-born, Carmelite Bishop Aloysius Maria Benziger was the architect of present diocese of Kottar. His saintly life, missionary zeal and great pastoral leadership helped the formation of many Catholic communities especially in the southern part of Kollam diocese. Knowing education was important for the development of the people, Archbishop Benziger established schools in many of the coastal villages and founded St. Francis Teacher Institute at Assisi, Nagercoil, to train teachers for the schools. In all, he founded 112 schools in a short span of 25 years. Carmel High School and St. Joseph’s School, Nagercoil, remain living monuments to the foresight of this great visionary and missionary.

Archbishop Benziger was among the first to request the Vatican to beatify the Carmelite nun, St. Theresa of the Child Jesus aka Little Flower and following her beatification he constructed the first church in the world at Kandanvilai( now in Kottar diocese) and blessed it on April 7,1924, and the second church was blessed on May 12, 1924 at Thoonkampara now in Neyyatinkara diocese. Accepting Pope Pius XI’s invitation, Archbishop Benziger assisted at her canonization ceremony on May 17, 1925.

Thanks to his recommendation the southern part of Kollam diocese was formed as a new diocese on May 26, 1930, with Fr. Lawrence Pereira as its first bishop, the third Indian to become a bishop in the Latin rite. Bishop Lawrence Pereira was no stranger to the new diocese since he had ministered in Vencode and Enayam areas. He had to toil hard to build the infrastructure of the new diocese from scratch. He was called to the eternal reward on January 5, 1938.

Though Tamil was the predominant language of the new diocese, it was part of Thiruvithancore and Cochin State with Malayalam as the state language. Keeping in mind the linguistic aspirations of the people of the diocese, the Vatican appointed the Tiruchirapalli native and Superior of Palayamkottai Jesuit Mission, Rev. Thomas Roch Agniswamy as succesor to Bishop Lawrence Pereira in 1939. In the reorganization of States in 1956, Kanyakumari district became part of Madras State now known as Tamil Nadu. In 1963, the diocese of Kottar was detached from the Metropolitan See of Verapoly and attached to the archdiocese of Madurai.

Evangelization activites received much impetus during the tenure of Bishop Agniswamy. A great number of parishes, mission stations and schools were established. His special interest in the promotion of local vocation resulted in the founding of St.Aloysius Minor Seminary for the diocese and Tamil Nadu Xavier Mission Home for the missions.

Bishop Marianus Arckiasamy from Kumbakonam who succeeded Bishop Agniswamy in 1971, was committed to the implementation of the reforms of the Second Vatican Council, especially in the field of Bible, Liturgy, Catechetics and other pastoral activities. The setting up of sixteen diocesan commissions, Animation Centre, Pastoral and Youth Centers and formation of parish councils in more than fifty per cent of the parishes bear witness to his interests.

The communal riots that rocked Kanyakumari district in 1982, posed a great challenge to the diocese and to Bishop Arockiasamy. Premeditated and organized attacks on Christians and church properties shattered the calm of the otherwise peaceful district. In all, ten Catholics lost their lives to police and communal firings. Churches, convents and other religious places were vandalized and desecrated. People of Pallam parish had to flee for their lives. Coastal parishes were cut off from the main land and essential food supplies had to be carried through the sea. Bishop Arockiasamy and the Head of the Kundrakudi Hindu Mutt (Hermitage) and other religious leaders toured the affected areas to instill confidence in the people and peace returned to the riot-torn district. They founded” Thiruvarul Peravai”(Graceful Assembly) to foster communal and religious harmony. The Catholic Church in India and other parts of the world came to the help of the affected people. Bishop Arockiasamy continued to serve the diocese until his promotion as Archbishop of Madurai in 1987.

Fr. Leon A. Tharmaraj, who became the fourth bishop in 1989, was the first” son of the soil” to shepherd the diocese of Kottar. Bishop Leon faithfully carried forward the policies of his predecessor and went on further in making the diocese, truly the Church of the laity concentrating on the formation of Basic Christian (Ecclesial) Communities, pastoral and parish councils and encouraging lay leadership in the mission of the diocese.

The killer Tsunami waves that swept the coastal villages the day after Christmas in 2004 brought humongous miseries to the lives and properties of thousands of Christians. More than 800 people lost their lives and thousands of houses, fishing boats and many churches were damaged. Bishop Leon together with the entire diocese faced the challenge posed by the unprecedented loss and undertook to rebuild the lives and properties of the people. People from all walks of life irrespective of caste and creed joined in the valiant efforts of the diocese in rehabilitating the victims of the killer Tsunami. It is true the tragedies often bring the best in the human person and the Tsunami devastation witnessed the unprecedented outpouring of love and support from people of all walks of life in India and other parts of the world.” One touch of nature makes the whole world kin”.

The diocese lost a true shepherd in the sudden death of Bishop Leon on January 16, 2007. Bishop Peter Remigius, who hails from the diocese, was transferred from the diocese of Kumbakonam to the See of Kottar and installed on August 24, 2007. Consolidating the all round growth initiated by his predecessor, Bishop Remigius is outlining plans and programs to make the parishes and the diocese self sufficient and self supporting. To accelerate the mission work he is raising many mission centres into full-fledged parishes. People’s participation in the mission of the church of Kottar needs special mention. They are enthusiastically joining and strengthening the parish and Diocesan councils, Finance Committees, Pastoral Council, Diocesan Commissions etc. All the parishes except a handful, have duly elected parish councils.

The diocesan process for the beatification of the Servant of God, Devasahayam Pillai, that commenced in 1993, concluded on September 7, 2008, and the documents were forwarded to Rome on 24th September 2008. The Roman process has already started and on 18th March 2010 the Congregation certified the validity of the documents. On 9th, July 2010 the Cause was assigned by the Congregation to the Most. Rev. Fr. Zdzislaw Kijas, OFM Conv., ‘Relator”.

From 95000 people in 25 parishes ministered by 32 priests, at the time of its formation in 1930, the Kottar Church, today after 80 years, marches on with 543789 Catholics in 161 parishes served by 278 priests.

CATHEDRAL:

ST. FRANCIS XAVIER’S CATHEDRAL, KOTTAR
It is a well known fact that, next to Goa, where the incorrupt body of St. Francis Xavier is kept, St. Francis Xavier’s Cathedral, Kottar, in the southern district of KanyaKumari, Tamil Nadu, India, is the famous centre of pilgrimage in honor of St. Francis Xavier, the greatest post apostolic missionary of the Church and the patron of the missions.

Though thousands of pilgrims throng this hollowed place through the year, over five hundred thousand people (5,000,00) from all over Tamil Nadu and Kerala flock to venerate the Saint during the novena days leading to the feast,- November 24 to December 3.

Pilgrims from all walks of life and creed visit the Cathedral of St. Francis Xavier, Kottar, either to offer their petitions or to thank for the favours already received through his intercession. His miraculous intervention in favour of his devotees has been so powerful at this Shrine that it has become almost proverbial to address him endearingly in Tamil ” Kettavaram tharum Kottattu Saveriar “Xavier of Kottar,(is) the granter of all favours”.

KOTTAR

The Shrine of St. Francis Xavier as well as the ancient town of Kottar now in the municipal town of Nagercoil, the administrative Capital of the District of Kanyakumari, have checkered histories. Kottar, the commercial and business centre of Nagercoil, is on the bank of the river ” Pazhayaru”, where the river makes a bend, turning towards the south to the sea. Hence the name “Kottaru” in Tamil meaning is “at the bend of the river”-. It was a town of importance in the first century of the Christian era when Ptolemy visited and gave it the appellation” Metropolis”. It is also honourably mentioned in periplus of the second century. Kottar, the southern capital of the Venad Kingdom, was also a cosmopolitan town embracing within its orbit people of many castes and creeds. Among the many people in Kottar there was also a colony of Chavalakars, a kin to the Paravars of Cape Comorin region. It was to teach them and their counterparts in Manappadu area, their faith and strengthen them in the Christian way of life that Francis Xavier came to the Southern coast from Goa.

FRANCIS XAVIER

In 1541, Francis Xavier (Francisco do Yesu y Javier), started his journey from Lisbon in Portugal to India and landed in Goa a year later. After few months of missionary work in Goa, he left for the southern coast. Soon after arriving in Manappadu in Thuthukudi diocese, Francis Xavier started the missionary work by instructing and strengthening them in the faith. In 1544 Francis Xavier was found often in Travancore to protect and help the Christians of Cape Comorin regions who were driven away from their homes by Vadugars. … 2 – 2 – Under the leadership of Captain Vittal Rao, the Vijayanagar army marched to capture the Venad Kingdom. Pandian and Chola armies joined him. As the news of the Badaga armies marching reached Kottar area, people panicked and had to flee for their lives. Sensing the danger, Francis Xavier, living then in a hut in Kottar, rushed to an elevated area in Vadasery just two kilometers north of Kottar and stood like a colossus holding a cross. Frightened at the sight of a holy man holding a cross, the marauding army retreated heeding to his advice not to march forward. The origin of the Cathedral Church at Kottar begins here: Francis Xavier built a Chapel for Our Lady in the land gifted by the King and used to celebrate Mass there. From Kottar he walked the length and the breadth of the Coastal region instructing and baptizing over 10000 fishermen known as Arasars aka Mukkuvars from Puvar, now in the Archdiocese of Trivandrum in Kerala to Pallam.

KOTTAR CHURCH

Following death of Francis Xavier in 1552, the Church at Kottar became a place of pilgrimage to the people of the south. According to Fr. Andreas Vaz, in charge of the mission from Cape Comorin-Kanyakumari- to Rajakkamangalam, in 1616 there was a cross in Kottar, a pagan town, which the Chrisitans erected in honor of Fr. Francis Xavier and placed his picture and it was commonly known as the Cross of Father, Master Xavier. In Tamil it was known as Saveriar Kurusady ( Mon. X.II P.591) In 1660, there was a Church dedicated to the Conversion of St.Paul at Kottar and Fr. Andreas Buseria S.J., was the Parish Priest in charge (Mon. Xav. 1 P.589). Fr. Buseria seems to have placed a picture either in the Church or at the Kurusady-Cappella- near the Church. Indeed, next to Goa, Kottar has been and is the most sacred shrine to Francis Xavier. Fr. Andreas Buserio S.J. used to celebrate the feast every year on the day of the death of Xavier and many Christians from the coast gathered there for the feast.( M.X.II P. 591). Hence pilgrimage to Kottar Church is of no recent origin. It has an unbroken history of over 400 years. What attracted the people were the innumerable, well attested miracles that had taken place in Kottar. Many of these miracles are referred to in the bull of Canonization issued in 1623 by Pope Urban VIII. Popular among the miracles was the raising to life of a month old baby that had died and was carried to the cemetery for burial. The parents full of faith promised to name the child Francis, if it were to revive. To their great joy the child came back to life and the fame of this miracle spread all over the country. (Op.cit.P. 716, 630 etc.) Another miracle attributed to the saint and accepted for his canonization concerns an inland fisherman, Perumal Panical, a poet and a teacher who lived near Kottar Church. He knew the catechism well and ten years before the building of the church composed a poem in honor of the Holy Faith and Fr. Nicholas Spinola, superior of the Jesuit College in Kollam. Fr. Buserio tried in vain to convert him, thinking that he would make an ideal custodian and Kanakkapillai( headman) of the Church. …3 – 3 – In course of time Perumal contracted the dreadful disease of leprosy and it debilitated him. Despite various treatments his condtion was deteriorating day by day. In desperation he prostrated in front of the picture of Francis Xavier praising him in poems and applying the oil, from the lamps burning in front of the Shrine, all over his body. He began to recover soon and completely cured of leprosy. Christened as Francis, he was later appointed Kanakkapillai( headman) of the church( Mon.II P. 590,61) The Church of Francis Xavier in Kottar has been enjoying a great fame as a place of miracles from early times and so no wonder, it attracts pilgrims far and near all down the years. Long before Francis Xavier’s canonization it was known as Xavier’s Church- Saveriar Kovil in Tamil- and after his canonization, the Church should have been rebuilt and dedicated to him. In the beginning of the 17th century, the offerings in money and oil brought to this Church were so great that it was enough to maintain five other churches in the interior areas. But in the course of many wars that devastated these parts of the country, all five churches were destroyed. But the Church at Kottar survived the attacks due to the fact that it was not only the Christians but also the Hindus who protected this place of pilgrimage.

SHRINE OF OUR LADY

The present vaulted Shrine of Our Lady, said to be on the very spot where the chapel of Our Lady was built, was erected in 1865 when the Church of Kottar was enlarged and vaulted over. It is very small with just enough space to accommodate an altar on which enthroned an ancient statue of B.V.M. in a wooden recedes. The floor of the Shrine is about two feet and a half below the ground level, attesting to the antiquity of the spot and to the care to keep it open as hollowed place by the great saint. In fact at the top of the recedes there is a little angel holding a scroll with an inscription in Tamil, ” Come and Worship at the place where his feet have touched, All the pilgrims that visit the Shrine throughout the year and the humongous crowd that attend the feast celebration from November 24 to December 3, make it a point to visit and pray at the Shrine of Our Lady. Bishops and Priests are very particular to celebrate Mass at the Shrine. Many Hindu pilgrims, after their ritual bath, go around the Shrine a stated number of times in performance of their vows.

MARTYR DEVASAHAYAM

The Church of St. Francis Xavier acquired another glory when in 1752, the mortal remains of the heroic Martyr Devasahayam were interred within its sanctuary. Neelakanda Pillai, an official at the court of King Marthanda Varma of Travancore, was converted to Christian faith by the gentle efforts of the captured Captain of the Dutch Navy, E. B.de Lannoy, then at the service of the King. …4 – 4 – Neelakanda Pillai was baptized as Devasahayam- Lazarus- by Fr. John Baptist Putari S.J. at Vadakankulam. The king was very furious at hearing the news of his conversion and tried in vain to persuade him to reconvert. But Devasahayam was firm in his faith. Denounced as a traitor, Devasahayam suffered patiently imprisonment and torture for three long years. On the order of the King, he was dragged to Katttadimalai at Aralvaimozhi, at the boundary between the Travancore and Pandya Kingdoms, and shot dead on January 14, 1752. His body was discovered by some Christians who brought it to Kottar to be interred in the sanctuary. The tomb of this heroic Servant of God, whose cause for Sainthood is progressing, is also a place of pilgrimage.

ST. FRANCIS XAVIER’S CATHEDRAL

From a Kurusady in the sixteen century, the Church of the Conversion of St. Paul which later became the Church of Francis Xavier, has undergone many renovations and additions. In 1865, the Church of Kotttar was enlarged with the addition of Cruciform wings and the present sanctuary and vaulted over. In the same year the Shrine of Our Lady was renovated and vaulted over. In 1930, thanks to the recommendation of the saintly Bishop Aloysius Maria Benziger OCD of Kollam, the Southern part of the Kollam diocese was bifurcated to form the new diocese of Kottar with Msgr. Lawrence Pereira as its first bishop. The Church of St. Francis Xavier and the Rectory became the Cathedral and the residence of the new bishop. It continued as Bishops’ Residence until it moved to the present location. In 1942, in commemoration of the fourth centenary of the arrival of St. Francis Xavier in India, a beautiful tower was erected to the Saint in the Cathedral premises, as well as the Grotto to our Blessed Mother and a small Shrine to St. Ignatius, who had sent him to India. The pretty statue that adorns the main altar is said to have been brought from Goa. There is also a major relic of the Saint which is exposed to the veneration of the pilgrims during the feast days. The Cathedral has acquired many styles of architectures. The old church and the vaulting were Romanesque, the extensions and the exterior are Gothic, while the fine stone Mandapam ( Lobby or Vestibule) in front is purely Indian. The entire church presents an imposing and pleasing appearance and a look of greatness.

FEAST OF ST. FRANCIS XAVIER

The annual feast of St. Francis Xavier is being celebrated every year from November 24- December 3, with great piety and fanfare. Each year the number of pilgrims’ increases by leaps and pounds and the District Administration declares a public holiday for the district of Kanyakumari, on December 3. It is one of the few Christian Churches in India that enjoys a public holiday declared by the secular government. … 5 – 5 – All the nine days of the feast are being celebrated by various groups of people of all creeds which include government employees, teachers, local merchants and transport corporation workers etc. The evening novena mass is followed by public meeting presided over by Government Officials who distribute helps to the needy and the programs conclude with Music and Dance. One of the highlight of the ten-day celebration is the grand Car procession with the statues of the Blessed Virgin Mary and St. Francis Xavier. The honor is always given to the Blessed Mother, decked with rich jewels and ornaments, offered in thanksgiving by the devotees. Men and women, including Hindus, prostrate in front of the Cars in observance of their vows and penance. The Car procession, a remnant of the Hindu custom, attracts thousands of people all the final three days of the feast.