Archive for: July 2013

Sirumalai Annai Shrine, Krishnankoil, Virudhunagar

Jul. 03 Catholic Churches, Churches in Tamilnadu, Virudhunagar no comments

History of the Sirumalai Annai Shrine

Geographical Location of the Sirumalai Shrine:
The Sirumalai Shrine known also as ‘Amali-malai’ belongs to W.Pudupatti Parish of Srivilliputhur Vicariate – one of the seven vicariates of the Archdiocese of Madurai. The shrine is located at the cross road of Krishnankoil Stop, falling at 70 km from Madurai to Chenkottai National Highway.

History of the Shrine:
The Christians of Marava caste who were the proselytes by St. John de Britto, lived in the region of Ramnad. By then, it was ruled by Marudu Pandias who, on accunt of religious intolerance and hatred towards the British rule, started persecuting the christians. To escape from their hardship, the Christians moved to the region of Sirumalai which was under British control. Having been settled down at Sirumalai they set up a petty grotto there for the Mother who saved their lives and properties from being destroyed. At present, although these people have gone to get settled at Pandalkudi near Arupukottai, they have made it a custom to come to Sirumalai once in a year, slaughter the sheep, offer the sacrifice and enjoy feasting all the day. It is also very sentimental to witness these people praying to the Mother with tears, hitting their heads at the wall of the church.

History of the Church:
When the first parish priest of W. Pudupatti, Fr. Morier, a Jesuit from foreign country, went to celebrate mass at Nathampatti in the evening, heavy wind and rain turned to be a hurdle for his travel. The bullocks of the cart, when nearing Sirumalai, lied down without any reason. He could not further make a move of the cart in spite of many trials to wake them up. So the saintly priest happened to spare the night at the bottom of the hill. Then, Mohter Mary graciously appeared to him on his dream with a demand of unavoidable requisition i.e. ‘Would you construct a church for me that the people might be gathered and blessed?’ The priest woke up with a fret and found the bullocks standing ready for travel. He was obsessed with the thought of the vision as he returned from Nathampatti after the celebration of the mass. All the people of the village willingly seconded the idea of construction of an altar in remembrance of the Mother.

The History of the Church Location:
When the priest and others went there with a mind of finding a location where the church could be built up, a band of wolves of was found in a spot. All of them ran away into the forest. But in a particular place, one of the wolves stood in a posture of praying, lifting both the front legs up and went away. Immediately then, the priest laid a corner-stone in that cite and fixed it as a place shown by the Mother and began the work of the construction of the church.

He also easily acquired the land around the church from the rulers of the time by his political prudence. He planted hundreds of trees that bear fruits in order that the hill could look greenish. These trees served as shelter and yielded fruits for people who come seeking the blessing of the Mother.

A fount of Wonder:

It cannot but be a wonder that the gorgeous hill of Sirumalai and the place around it turned to be a mount of holiness. Right at the top of the mount about 350 meters height is found the fount of wonder. Be it a rainy season or hot summer, which the fount is always overflowing just like the abundant grace of Mother Mary, is a rare vision here. Yet another wonder is that the altar of the church at the bottom of the hill and the fount at the top is set straight on the exact line. These facts stand as witness for the kindness and glory of the mother.

Miracles and the Mother:
The devotees who come seeking the blessings of the mother leave their stories of tears as petitions in the dumb box. The happenings of miracles here are proclaimed as the witnesses of divine grace. Thus, the more the needs of the people, the greater abounds the divine grace.

A Miracle for Social Justice:
Once a family of the so-called low caste desired to come to the festival of the shrine like all other people and to sacrifice a goat. They cooked and wanted to share that with other people. But, since they were of low caste, the so-called high caste people refused to get the sharing from them. With deep sorrow, knowing not what to do, they dumped the meal on a mat, covered it and buried it to the ground. After a year when the same family came to the festival, they dug the pit and they were greatly astonished. For, the food that was buried remained not only intact but also hot! With mother, there is no discrimination on the basis of caste and religion. She accepts the food offered by the poor and the simple. The incident also signifies that all ought to share and eat it.

The Feast of the Shrine:
As the days went by, the fame of the shrine spread all around. People gathered in multitude for the festival held in the month of May from surrounding hamlets, villages, towns and cities. A grand feast was celebrated on third Saturday and Sunday in the month of May. People came to the blessed feet of the Mother from Watrap, Pudupatti, Koomapatti, Nathampatti, Srivillipudu, Rajapalayam, Sundranachiapuram, Kunnur, Sivakasi, Krishnan kovil, Gangapuram, etc. They were blessed with good health. Many realized a change in their spiritual life. As they came to Sirumalai, they could go deep into their hearts, examine their conscience, partake in the sacraments of reconciliation and the holy Eucharist and found comfort and solace of heart.

Spirituality is not concerned about an individual rather it is a collective effort. The festival also instructs the very thing. It creates a greater opportunity for social relation. That they start together, travel together, stay together, cook and eat together is a very good custom seen among them. Human person is not an individual but a social being we can see an expanded community here on festival days. It is a society with no discrimination. There is none among them as high or low, the poor or rich, the master or the slave.

Benediction would be held at night, followed by midnight mass and then ensued the car procession. People would rest in the moonlight and enjoy sweet breeze. There were also people who stayed in the caves of the hills. There would be a mass celebration in the early morning at the grotto of the hill. In order to attend the mass, the people would wake up early in the morning, complete their habitual duties actively. They take bath in the common water tank. For, bodily cleanliness is also necessary for the Dharshan of the Mother.

Mass at the grotto was very special. It could enable people to visualize the apparition of the Mother at the cave of Masbiel in Lourdes. In the beginning the festivals were celebrated only in lantern lights and later by generator lights. Now with the connection of electricity festival is luminously celebrated.

The Shrine of Social Celebration:
They have the custom of making tonsure to offer to the mother. To offer hair means to handover one’s power to God. The crown symbolizes authority of a king to reign. The personality of the present generation is marked with their hair. Hair style decides the beauty, the appearance, and the youthful charm of an individual. Offering of hair is an external symbol of the attitude of complete submission that God is the source of all and to him everything belongs. Making complete shave of head at one’s birth or at the death of someone close has been a traditional practice of the Tamils. Besides this, the people who make ear-hole on their ears also go for tonsure.

The custom of making stud-hole also prevails here. The devotees praise the same thing here in the shrine. These rituals play a vital role in the growth of the children. They stay in the rooms, dine in the refectory available here and go home happily. It is a great pleasure as they stay; dine at the foot of the Mother.

Not only the Christians but also the people of other religions have made it a custom to come and celibate their home-celebrations here. The newly-wed couples come and exchange garlands in front of the Mother and start their family life. The shrine has become part and partial of the people’s living and the land.

Festival Market:
During the festival the holy articles like portraits of the saints, statues, rosaries, candles etc. are sold. Along with this, there are variety of fun games set up to entertain the kids. There is so much of ballons, pipes, and kinds of candies. The merchants for flowers and fruits like mangoes, guauas, tender-coconut, and variety of other fruits, set up a mini market on days of the festivity.

The Present State of the Shrine:
The grotto and tower for the Mother was built by Fr. Morier in the year 1926. But the construction of the tower was not complete. Fr. M.P. Alphonse restarted the construction work of the shrine in 1993. The construction of the tower was completed during the tenure of Fr. Albin Justus. The house for priests was built when Fr. Siluvai Michael was here. By his onerous efforts, they started praying way of the cross on the hill way. The shrine began to shine when Fr. Lukas served as parish priest. It was he who constructed the cave-temple at the place where the apparition of the Mother took place. Chapel for the Blessed Sacrament also was built by him. In the year 2002 he began the construction work of road-side grotto dedicated to the mother in the name ‘good health’.

With the contribution of R.C. School teachers, the works of the grotto was finished. In the year 2010, the way to the cave temple containing 33 steps was laid. These steps were set-up to remind the people of the earthly living of Jesus.

The holy cross was established at the top of the hill on April 10, 2011. The stations of way of the cross were also set up on the way toward uphill. The practice of praying way of the cross with celebration of mass at evening of every Sunday began during the lent of 2011. Houses for the pilgrims and lavatories will soon be constructed for their convenience.
Events at the Shrine:

From 2008, the holy Eucharist is celebrated at 11.30 in the morning on the first Sundays. From December 8, 2009 onwards the mass is celebrated at the routine of 8 days. On the first Saturdays of every month a decorated car procession with recitation of Rosary begins from the good-health grotto on the road side and the mass continues. From July 17, 2011, onward the mass is celebrated at the altar established on the hill. Third Sunday of every month, the mass is celebrated on the hill top altar at 5. 00 p. m in the evening.

compiled by, Rev.Fr. Titus & Fr. Prince.
Translated by Bro. Richard.

Contact Address:
Fr. Martin Joseph,
Sirumalai Annai Shrine,
Opp. to Kalasalingam university,
Krishnankoil – 626 126,
Virudhunagar Dt,
Tamil Nadu,
India.

For more information please visit:
http://sirumalaiannaishrine.blogspot.in/
https://www.facebook.com/sirumalaiannai

St.Teresa’s Church (St. Teresa of Avila Parish), Nungambakkam, Chennai

Jul. 02 Catholic Churches, Chennai, Churches in Tamilnadu no comments

History

St.Teresa’s Church originated as a chapel attached to the first Bishop’s house in Madras. The chapel which met the needs of the faithful of Nungambakkam and Mackays garden, grew into a parish Church in 1912. The earliest data entries as recorded are as follows: –

• Baptism Register — From August 1911
• Marriage Register — From October 1912
• Funeral and Burial Register – From 1912

St Teresas Church

To trace the history of this church it is necessary to note the growth of the city of then called Madras, at present called Chennai. The City of Madras was first evangelized by the Portuguese who came for the purpose of trading in spices and brought with them the early missionaries who built an early Church on Portuguese Church street ( which still stands as a testimony today) in the Black Town.

Black Town was a township that grew and flourished north of Fort St. George where the natives, the dubashes and trading merchants notably the Armenian merchants lived. The Portuguese subsequently left Black Town due to the growing influence of the East India Company. Black Town was renamed as George Town to commemorate the coronation of George V as the Emperor.

Religious influence continued to flourish under the Jesuits who had a chapel in Fort St. George and who later moved to a more spacious accommodation in Nungambakkam. The Parishes that existed at that times were managed ( governed) by religious orders notably the Congregation of St. Joseph Mill Hill, St.Mary’s Cathedral in Armenian Street was the cathedral of the Catholic Bishop of Madras. The sons of the Congregation of St. Joseph Mill Hill better known as the Mill Hill Fathers took charge of parishes in and around George Town notably Vepery and Nungambakkam. The excellence of their work is borne out in a memorial plaque enshrined in the base of the tower at St. Mary’s Church Armenian Street. St.Teresa’s Church, Nungambakkam was one such Parish that came under the influence of this Congregation of St.Joseph Mill Hill. The following were the Parish Priests right from the inception of the Parish.

• Rev.Fr.AMerkes 1911
• Rev.Fr.S.G.Hood 1912
• Rev.Fr.J V D Riet 1913
• Rev Fr. J. Beukers 1918
• Rev Fr.A Merkes & Fr. P. Thomas 1922
• Rev. Fr. J. Beukers 1923
• Rev. Fr. J. Aelen 1924
• Rev. Fr. P. Justin Bion 1926
• Rev. Fr. J. Aelen and C.Ruygrok 1927
• Rev. Fr. N. Prior 1929
• Rev. Fr. X. V. Baretto 1930-1938
• Rev. Fr. M. Joseph 1938-1939
• Rev. Fr. R. Cordeiro 1939-1942
• Rev. Fr. S. R. Santos 1942-1948
• Rev. Fr. R. Arulappa 1948-1953
• Rev. Fr. Bernardinus 1953-1959
• Rev. Fr. Thomas Charath 1959-1975
• Rev. Fr. P. Michael 1975-1978
• Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Kottaram 1978-1985
• Rev. Fr. S. Kripakaran 1985-1986
• Rev. Fr. Henry Louis 1986-1992
• Rev. Fr. L. Balasamy 1992-1999
• Rev. Fr. S. P. A. Suresh 1999-2000
• Rev. Fr. K. S. Lawrence 2000-2007
• Rev. Fr. P. J. Lawrence Raj 2007-

The Mill Hill Fathers ceased to control this parish as it was passed over to Padroado in 1930. The Portuguese who moved south to Mylapore built churches which still stand today notably San Thome Cathedral which became the Cathedral of the Bishop of Mylapore under the patronage of the Institution of the Royal Family of Portugal called Patronotus or Padroado. Under this arrangement the Royal Family of Portugal began sending Missionaries wherever colonization took place, this was extended to St. Teresa’s at Mackays Garden which fell under the Parish of St. Teresa’s Church, in Nungambakkam. Catechists were kept at a little chapel to instruct the faithful in prayers and prepare them for the sacraments.

Subsequently by an order of the Holy Seer the diocese of Madras and Mylapore were merged into one diocese known as the Archdiocese of Madras – Mylapore when Arch Bishop Louis Mathias SDB was appointed as the first Arch Bishop in the year 1950.

The Parish has evolved all through these years under the able guidance and stewardship of all the Parish Priests who have served in this Parish. The Parish today not only serves the Parish members but today is a source of spiritual nourishment for the religious and faithful from all over Chennai city who flock to our parish for the Sunday services as well as the services on special occasions like Christmas, Easter, New Year etc.

We are very blessed to have Rev. Fr. Lawrence Raj presently as our Parish Priest who has been doing yeomen service to our Parish. Our parish now has a Co-Patron Saint St. Jude Thaddeus and the parish community and the other visiting members have the blessings of this wonderful saint who is known as the “Hope for the Hopeless”.

Patron Saint St.Teresa Of Avila:

Born in Avila, Spain, on March 28, 1515, St. Teresa was the daughter of a Toledo merchant. She led a fairly ordinary life, but of mischievous personality, she was convinced that she was a horrible sinner. As a teenager, she cared only about boys and clothes and flirting and rebelling like other teenagers throughout the ages. When she was 16, her father decided she was out of control and sent her to a convent. At first she hated it but eventually she began to enjoy it partly because of her growing love for God, and partly because the convent was a lot less strict than her father.

Virgin, Doctor of the Church (1515 – 1582)

Teresa Cepeda De Ahumada was born in Avila, Old Catlille, some 50 miles N.W. of Madrid (Spain). At 20, after reading the letters of St.Jerome, she entered the Carmelite convent, regarding it as the safest way to salvation, albeit without her father’s consent. “Prayer is the doorway to great graces; if this door is closed, I do not see how God can bestow any graces! During a time of ill health she began to practicing her to give herself unreservedly to God. For in many religious houses of that day discipline had become rather relaxed, what with frequent visitors providing worldly distractions. “Prayer and self – indulgence do not go together!” she was wont to say.

She now began to be overwhelmed with intellectual visions, ecstasies, levitations and other extraordinary graces. Our Lord himself repeatedly spoke to her, a seraph pierced her heart and she experienced the spiritual espousal. For Teresa this resulted in years of ridicule and misunderstanding, as her early confessors considered her visions diabolical deceptions. An extrovert by nature and affectionate of disposition, Teresa had the ability to adapt herself quite easily to all kinds of people, places and circumstances. Through 20 years of spiritual struggle, Teresa slowly learnt detachment from all creatures, abnegation and perfection in following Christ. “The prayer that pleases God most, is the one which brings about improvement, and which shows itself in good works, rather than the pleasure of one’s own satisfaction”.

Finally, St.Peter of Alcantara, her spiritual director, and St. Francis Borgia were able to discern the workings of God’s power in her, and in the year 1561 our Lord commanded her to reform the Carmelite Order. Then 46 years of age, during the remaining 21 years of her life she was able, despite violent opposition, to found 17 convents of discalced Carmelite nuns and 15 monasteries for friars under severe, unmitigated rule of Order. “Let nothing trouble or frighten you! All things pass away. Only God never changes. Patience obtains everything! God alone suffices!’.

Under due obedience to her superiors Teresa wrote her life story “The way of Perfection”, “The Interior Castle” and “Conception of the Love of God”. Teresa of Avila died on 4th October 1582 and was buried at Alba de Tomes. Canonized in 1622 by Pope Gregory XV she was declared a Doctor of the Church by Pope Paul VI in 1970.

Co Patron Saint St.Jude Thaddeus:

St.Jude was the brother of St. James the Less and thus a cousin of our Lord. He is the author of the last canonical epistle of which Origen stated that it “contains strong doctrine in a few lines.” It was to Jude’s question during the Last Supper that our Lord replied that he manifests only to those who are faithful in keeping his commandments (ref.Jn 14:23 -24) faith mainly in Palestine, but later went to Persia and Armenia, and suffered martyrdom there. The Emperor Domitian once had St.Jude’s grandsons brought from Galilee to Rome, but released them when he realized that they were not political rivals. Owing to the similarity of his name to that of Judas Iscariot, Jude Thaddeus was rarely invoked in prayer, which makes it seem likely that seeking his intercession was seen as a final resort when all else failed. It is thus that his popularity as the patron saint of lost causes has greatly increased in recent times.

The lives of the Apostles, Sts Simon and Jude, are shrouded in obscurity and uncertainty. Yet their very closeness to the Lord Jesus as shares in the great work of redemption is a reminder to us that holiness, from which stems happiness, comes from following closely in the footsteps of Jesus Christ rather than in being known.

Mass Timings:
Sundays

06.00 a.m. – Holy Mass (Tamil)
07.15 a.m. – Holy Mass (Mackays Garden)
07.30 a.m. – Holy Mass (Tamil)
08.30 a.m. – Catechism Class (Tamil / English)
09.00 a.m. – Holy Mass (English)
12.00 noon – Holy Mass (English)
06.30 p.m. – Holy Mass (English)

Weekdays

06.30 a.m. – Holy Mass (Tamil)
01.10 p.m. – Holy Mass (Tamil)
06.30 p.m. – Holy Mass (English)

Thursday And Friday

06.00 a.m. – Holy Mass (Tamil)
06.30 p.m. – Holy Mass (English)

Baptism

10.30 a.m. – 2nd Sunday

Confession

05.00 p.m. – Saturday

Communion For Sick

08.00 a.m. – 1st Friday

Contact:
St.Teresa’s Church,
No 4. Nungambakkam High Road,
Nungambakkam,
Chennai – 600034
Phone: +91 – 44 – 2821 2632, 2827 8788.

For more information please visit: http://stteresaschurch.in

Arockia Annai Church, Vadipatty, Madurai

Jul. 02 Catholic Churches, Churches in Tamilnadu, Madurai no comments

Parish Name: Arockia Annai Church
Vadimanagar, Vadipatty, Madurai dt., Tamil nadu
Patron Saint: Our Lady of Good Health

History:

Arockia Annai Church, Vadipatty, the first SVD parish in Tamil Nadu was started in October 10, 1993. Fr. Vijay Amal Raj SVD was the first parish priest. The presbytery was constructed in 1994 and the parish Church was completed and was blessed by His Grace Dr. M. Arockia Samy, the Archbishop of Madurai on June 6, 1999. Since then Dr. S. M. Mary John SVD is the Parish priest who developed the small Church into a renowned Church in Tamilnadu by his tireless and zealous ministry. He is followed by Fr. Blaise. Total population of Vadipatti is 30,600 in which we have 300 Catholics. We have four sub-stations namely, Alanganallur (total population 15,000 in which catholic population is 144), Kuravankulam (total population 3600, in which catholic population is 62), Mariammalkulam (total population 842, in which catholic population is 200) and Sanampatti, (total population 3630, in which catholic population is 83). It was proclaimed by the parish priest Rev. Dr. Mary John SVD, on his own accord, that on Sept 8, 2001, there happened an oozing out of water (the miraculous holy spring -Yesuvin Arumarunthu) from the tiled floor of the Church just below the statue of the Blessed Virgin Mother, the right side of the altar. Later this was considered a miracle and the holy water (pumped from this source) was offered to the pilgrims who throng to the church in thousands every week. This parish has emerged as the very important church that attracts thousands of pilgrims from all over the world. Many pilgrims experience physical, spiritual and psychological healings. It attracts many Hindus and Muslims because of the powerful healing presence of Jesus in the liturgical services that are conducted with utmost pastoral care. The annual feast of this Shrine is celebrated with pomp and glory every year from August 29th to September 08th.

 

Vadipatti Matha Kovil
Madurai – Dindigul Main Road,
T.Vadipatti,
Madurai – 625 218
Telephone No: 04543-254499

Bus routes to Vadipatti Matha Shrine:
Madurai Arapplayam Bus Stand is a Major junction for go to Vadipatti,
Busses are available at any time.

Then Buses are available from
Periayar Bus Stand (Bus No. 71)
Anna Buss Stand (Bus No. 71A)

For more information please visit:
http://www.archdioceseofmadurai.org/arockia-annai-church-vadipatty/
https://www.facebook.com/ArchDioceseMadurai

Courtesy:
www.archdioceseofmadurai.org
www.vadipattimadha.blogspot.in

Keyword: Vadipatti Matha Kovil, Vadipatti Matha Church, Arockia Annai Church Vadipatty, Vadipatty Church, Vadipatti Church Madurai

St. Xavier’s Cathedral, Kottar

Jul. 01 Catholic Churches, Churches in Tamilnadu, Kanyakumari no comments

THE HISTORY OF ST.XAVIER’S CHURCH

St. Francis Xavier’s Cathedral at Kottar is one of the Christian pilgrimage centers in India. Next to Goa, Kottar is the second important place where people from all walks of life, irrespective of caste and creed, language and religion worship St.Xavier. It is one of the oldest churches in Tamilnadu.
St. Xavier was canonized in 1622 while the church at Kottar was dedicated to St. Xavier even as early as 1605 itself seventeen years before he attained sainthood. So the historians say the church at Kottar is the first one dedicated to St. Xavier in the whole world.

St Xavier's Cathedral - Kottar 1

St Xavier's Cathedral - Kottar 2

St Xavier's Cathedral - Kottar 3

St Xavier's Cathedral - Kottar 4

St Xavier's Cathedral - Kottar 5

St Xavier's Cathedral - Kottar 6

THE EARLY IMPORTANT EVENTS AT KOTTAR CHURCH

Christians lived at Kottar even before the arrival of St. Xavier. Those people became Christians due to the influence of St. Thomas who came to Kanyakumari District in the first century itself. It is said that St. Xavier was the first foreign missionary who visited Kottar.Until 1602, the construction of Christian churches was not allowed by the then Travancore maharajas. The Christians were allowed to build small temporary churches only at the coastal areas of the fishermen villages of paravas and mukkuvas in thatched sheds with bamboos, palm leaves and mud.

In 1602, the South Travancore maharaja donated his own garden at Kottar to the Italian priest Fr. Pucchario to construct a church at Kottar. Fr. Andreas Pucchario S.J. constructed the first church at Kottar in 1603 with mud and wood at the place where St. Xavier performed prayers and masses. The church was called Trinity Church. Since the people of Kottar had great faith in St. Xavier they used to call the church “Saveriyar Koil” . The name “Xavier” was pronounced as “Saveriyar” by the local people at that time.

In 1605, Fr. Pucchario dedicated the church to St. Francis Xavier. From that day onwards people called the church “Saveriyar Koil”

THE HISTORY OF THE GROWTH OF ST. XAVIER’S CHURCH AT KOTTAR

In 1603, a small church was built with mud and wood.

In 1640, the church was reconstructed with stones (Report of the Society of Jesus, 1644). In 1640, the church constructed with mud and wood, was reconstructed into a new church with stones and in 1643 the sacred relics of St. Ignatius Loyola and St. Francis Xavier were safeguarded there.

In 1752, the mortal remains of Devasagayam Pillai was buried at St. Xavier’s Church.

According to the report (1698) sent by Fr. Gomes Andreas, head of the Society of Jesus, Cochin to Fr. Gonzales, head of the S.J. at Rome, a big church at Kottar was built near the small church with stones.According to the report of the Society of Jesus (1733), “Kottar was a big town. It was the headquarters of all Christian Churches of that area. A big church was there and it was dedicated to St. Francis Xavier, the first foreign missionary to visit Kottar.

EXTENTION OF CHURCH

In 1865, the new church was extended on the western, northern and southern sides. So the church looked like a cross. Tiles on the roof were removed and a high dome was constructed above the main altar. A dome was also constructed at the small church (St. Mary’s). Mt. Rev. T.R. Agnisamy, the second bishop of Kottar Diocese was buried in St. Mary’s church on 7th May 1974.

WOODEN ALTAR

In 1876, an architect from Kollam, Jokin Fernandes designed the main altar in wood. The wooden statue of St. Francis Xavier kept in the altar was brought from Goa.

CONSTRUCTION OF A MANDAP

During the end of the 19th century a mandap was constructed in front of the church with big stone pillars. The stone pillar mandap represents Indian culture. This mandap was designed and constructed by the architect John Louis Fernandes. Later on when he died he was buried in the mandap itself.

TOWER

In memory of the 400th year of St. Xavier’s arrival in India, a tower and the statue of St. Xavier on the top of it and a grotto of St.Lourdes nearby were constructed at the northeastern side of the church campus. That was donated by J.A.D. Victoria of Manapad of Tuticorin Diocese.

Kottar Diocese was formed on May 30th 1930. St. Xavier’s Church, at Kottar was declared cathedral. Mt. Rev. Lawrence Pereira, the first Bishop of the Kottar Diocese was buried in the church on 05.01.1938. Mt. Rev. Leon Dharmaraj, the fourth bishop of Kottar Diocese was also buried in the main altar of the church.

When Fr. Barnabas was the priest of St. Xavier’s Cathedral in 1956, the western, southern and northern sides of the church were extended further. The St. Mary’s Church was annexed and became a part of the main church. In memory of the silver jubilee celebration of Kottar Diocese a tall tower was erected on the northern side of the church and blessed by Mt. Rev. T.R. Agnisamy, Bishop of the Diocese on November 24th, 1956.

When Fr. Berchmans was the parish priest of the cathedral, the church compound wall was extended further on the northwestern side and a new exit gate was opened for the convenience of the people during the festival seasons. Fr. Berchmans in 2009 constructed a new flag post covered with bronze in typical Travencore style. This type of flag post is unique in churches of Tamilnadu. After seeing the beauty of the flag post, many churches in Kottar, Palayamkottai and Tuticorin Dioceses started to convert their flag posts in the model of St. Xavier’s Church at Kottar. In 2009 a new tall statue of St. Xavier was erected at the entrance of the church.

RENOVATION OF THE ALTAR

In 2010, Fr. Berchmans brought artisans from Goa to renovate the main altar of the church. At present the wooden portions of the main altar, the statue of St. Xavier and wooden portion of St. Mary’s Church were covered with gold. Now the main altar and the St. Xavier’s Statue glitter brightly. Nowhere in Tamilnadu can we see such a beautifully glittering altar and the statue of St. Xavier.

In 2011, parish priest Fr. Robert Julius and the co-priest Fr. Amuthavalan are taking tremendous efforts to change the colour of the outer walls of the spacious church into milky white. To give this new color to the church and for other renovation works, the church needs nearly Rs.3 million. The parish priest is collecting the money from people as donations. People, who have great faith in St. Xavier, are contributing for this work.
The Mt. Rev. Peter Remigius, the fifth and the present Bishop of the Kottar Diocese and the parish priest of the Cathedral are taking steps to upgrade the St. Xavier’s Cathedral to the status of Basilica.The glory, fame, reputation and miracles of this ancient St. Francis Xavier’s Church at Kottar shall grow in the centuries to come.

Contact:
ST. XAVIER’S CATHEDRAL
Kottar, Nagercoil, Kanyakumari district,
Tamil Nadu, India

For more information, please visit:
http://stxavierscathedralkottar.com/
http://www.francisxaviers.com/
http://www.francisxaviers.com/web2012/
http://www.kottardiocese.org/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Devasahayam_Pillai

Courtesy: http://stxavierscathedralkottar.com/history.html