The Holy Rosary Church is situated at the Heart of the city. The territory includes important places like Shri Meenakshiamman Temple, Periyar Bus stand, Railway Junction. From Vaigai River, the southern Boundary extends up to Madurai Airport. In 1592, the Jesuits started their Madurai Mission with a small chapel of Our Lady, ministered by Fr. Fernandez. Robert De Nobili and Joseph Beschi followed him. From a letter of 1763 we learn that Yousuf Khan, opposing the English, had with him 400 French Soldiers (Catholics) for whom “a beautiful church” was built near the West Gate. 1770 onwards a Jesuit Missionary was serving the people around this Rosary Church. After the suppression of the Society in 1773, this church was in the hands of Padroado Priests.

In 1939 Fr. Yuvenat started the school. In 1966 Fr. De Cruz took in charge of the parish and built the new church according to the liturgical renewal emanated from second Vatican Council. In 1967 the Novena to Our Lady of Perpetual Help was started. The new presbytery was built by Fr. Joseph Xavier. The parish has 4 substations namely, Solaialagupuram, Perungudi, St. Antony’s Street and Simmakkal. There are about 380 Catholic families living here. Rev. Fr. Angel is the parish priest and the Vicar Forane of Madurai South Vicariate.

Contact:
Holy Rosary Church,
Town Hall Road,
Madurai – 625 001
Saint: Our Lady of Holy Rosary
Tel: +91 452 2343490

For more information please visit:
http://www.archdioceseofmadurai.org/holy-rosary-church-rosary-church/

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The Church of the Sacred Heart of Jesus was built in the Railway Colony in 1927. The parishioners were mainly Anglo – Indians. The Railway Company gave the ownership of the Church to the Diocese in perpetuity. The priests who served in the parish are the following: Fr. Turlan, Fr. Shembery, Fr. S. Bruno, Fr. S. Maria Soosai, Fr. J. Victor, Fr. V. Allard, Fr. T. Britto, Fr. B. A. Pinto, Fr. B. Michael, Fr. J. C. Motha, Fr. D. Amalorpavam, Fr. Joseph Nedugat, Fr. Peterkulandai, Fr. V. M. Irudayam, Fr. Santiago, Fr. John J., Fr. Seshuraj, Fr. Jeyaraj. Since June 2009 – Fr. M. Dhivyanandam. Fr. Joseph Nedungat extended the western wing of the church. Then he built the present presbytery for the priest. The work was completed in 1978 June, on the feastday of Sacred Heart of Jesus. St. Sebastian chapel, the substation of Railway Colony was erected in 1944 on the way to central bus stand (Periyar). It was demolished by Corporation authorities in the year 2004 as per the court order. That statue was taken to the Sacred Heart Church by Fr.Jeyaraj and installed. Now the first Tuesday Novena is going on. At present, the devotion to the Sacred Heart on the first Fridays goes on well. The Holy Hour is conducted on every first Thurdsays and people from different parts of the city participate. Following the long tradition, most of the Anglo Indian families from various parts of the city gather on Sundays at 8.30 am for Sunday liturgy. The Tamil mass is celebrated at 6.30 am on Sundays.

Contact:
Sacred Heart of Jesus Church,
Railway Colony,
Madurai.
Tel: +91 452 2308246

For more information please visit:
http://www.archdioceseofmadurai.org/sacred-heart-of-jesus-church-railway-colony/

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In the year 1982, a chapel was built on the Melur High road, Y. Othakkadai, and blessed by the Archbishop of happy memory, Most Rev. Dr. Justin Diraviam, D.D., J.U.D., and the chapel was dedicated to St. John de Britto, principal patron of the Archdiocese of Madurai. This chapel was one of the substations of Our Lady of Lourdes parish, K. Pudur. In the year 1997, the parish of our Lady of Lourdes was bifurcated and Y. Othakkadai was erected an independent parish by the Archbishop of happy memory, Most Rev. Dr. Marianus Arockiasamy, D.D., and thus the chapel too was raised to be the parish church of St. John de Britto. On 25th of Sept. 1997 this new parish was given to the care of the Franciscans of the Province of St. Thomas the Apostle as per the contract entered by both the parties that are the Archdiocese of Madurai and the Franciscans. The boundaries of this new parish are as follows: East : Idaiapatti, West : Pudupatti road, North : Chittampatti and South : Uthangudi. It includes the following villages: Othakkadai, Narasingam, Uthangudi, Yanai Malai Quarry, IHM convent, Perungudi, Thirumohur, Idyapatti, Thamaraippatti, Thindiyur, Agricultural college, Malaiyathanpatti, Chittampatti, and Annai Veilankanni Church Ulaganeri.

There are seventy families in the parish and 35 families in the Sri Lankan Refugee Camp. Altogether the total Catholic population is about 500. The parishioners are working in different sectors such as quarry workers, coolies, teachers etc.

SUBSTATIONS WITH CHAPELS:
Chapel at Thiruvadoor Sri Lankan Refuge Camp- Our Lady of Veilankanni Chapel (2002).
Chapel at Ulaganery : Our Lady of Veilannkani (2007).

Contact:
St. John De Britto’s Church,
Anthoniar Illam,
Rajakambeeram,
Y. Othakkadai,
Madurai – 625107.

Tel: +91 452 2422853,
Mob: +91 9486949622

For more information please visit:
http://www.archdioceseofmadurai.org/st-john-de-brittos-church-othakkadai/

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The parish is located 10 km West of Madurai in Nagamalai (towards Melakuilkudi Road). Formerly, it was the substation of Bastin Nagar Parish and prior to that Gnanaolivupuram parish. The construction of the Church building began in 1985 (17.03.1985) and got completed on 18.07.1989. Archbishop Most. Rev. Justin Diraviam funded the building. Most Rev. Arockiasamy exalted the substation to the status of the parish in 1989.

The Church bell was installed by the efforts of Rev. Fr. Jesuraja and presbytery was raised during the tenure of Rev. Fr. Gnanaprakasam. The Bible Hall was added at the time of Rev. Fr. Divyanandam. Rev.Fr. James Paulraj provided the church with a new generator around 1996. The nearby lands were purchased in order to extend the church campus on the south and to provide housing plots for the parishioners. The number of Catholic families are 140. Since Most of the parishioners are government servants and teachers, the catholic population of this parish is floating due to transfers & retirements.

Though this parish does not have any substation, parishioner live scattered in the nearby pulluthu (boys town) and kilaneri villages. To mention the historical importance of kilaneri, it is supposed to be an ancient Christian center frequented by Jesuit Missionary Robert de Nobili. He describes this village as full of paddy fields and water sources and calls it “Alagia gramam”. The early Christians of this village were konars (Shepherd caste). Due to scanty spiritual Ministry during the 19th centuary the offsprings of the early Christians migrated to Northern parts of Madurai Dist. The Jesuit letters, describing the faith in this village, are available in the provincial archives of the Jesuits in Shembaganur. Rev. Fr. D. Gnanaprakasam 1989-96, Rev. Fr. Jesuraja 1996-98, Rev. Fr. John Selvaraj 1998-2002, Rev. Fr. James paulraj 2002-2004, Rev. Fr. Divyanandam 2004-2009 served as parish priests and developed the parish. Presently Rev. Fr Antony Packiam serves as parish priest 2009 July – till date.

SUBSTATIONS WITH CHAPELS:
In Kilaneri, a small chapel, Our Lady of Lourdes. In pulluthu
there is a chapel, Our Lady of Good Health.

Contact:
Mary Queen of Peace (Nagamalai Pudukottai),
Melakuilkudi Road,
Madurai – 19.
Tel: +91 452 2458720

For more information please visit:
http://www.archdioceseofmadurai.org/mary-queen-of-peace-nagamalai-pudukottai/

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As a sizable population of Catholics were living in Kosakulam Pudur, which was in the territory of Our Lady of Dolours Parish, Fr. Endaline S.J. bought a piece of land in K. Pudur, on the very site where the present church stands, and built a small church of Our Lady of Lourdes, in 1920. In 1931 Fr. Gabriel Gomez, S.J. enlarged the church and brought the C.I.C. sisters to start a Primary School When in 1938 Madurai diocese was born and the Bishop’s house was built in K. Pudur, this church of Our Lady of Lourdes became important. The city expanded; transport facilities increased; more Catholic families came to settle down in K. Pudur. Fr. Pudumai who was in the Bishop’s House regularly went to cater to the spiritual needs of K. Pudur Catholics.

In 1951 K. Pudur was canonically erected as a new parish with Fr. M. T. Amalaraj, S.J. as its first parish priest. The rapid growth of the Catholic population necessitated the expansion of the church which Fr. M.T. Amalaraj undertook and finished in 1958. Christmas night of 1960 was especially a joyous night for this church as it was announced to be the Cathedral of the diocese, and Fr. Silverius, S.J. was the parish priest. Mgr. Diraviam took possession of the Archdiocese in the church on 29th June 1967, the same year Fr. S. Irudayam, the V.G. was the parish priest. But this privilege of being the Cathedral was shortlived. In 1970 Our Lady of Dolours church became the Cathedral and Fr. T,A. Michael took charge of the parish of K. Pudur, in 1972. A new flavour was added to the apostolate of the Archdiocess when on 24th September 1975 when the Salesians of Don Bosco took charge of K. Pudur Parish.

Fr. Vincent Durai Raj was the first Salesian Parish Priest. He had the privilege of celebrating the Silver Jubilee of the Parish and of starting Don Bosco Yourth Centre and building the upstairs of the parish house. During the time of Fr. Jeswanth in 1977, the building of the Don Bosco Youth Centre camp up, a place for cemetery was acquired, Sarvodaya building for girls was built, R.C. Primary School and Kadachanendal was raised to be a Middle School. Don Bosco Primary School was built at Quarry (Yanamalai) and dispensaries at Yanamalai and Mangalapuram were entrusted to the care of Leuca Sisters. When in 1980 Fr. Jeganathan became parish priest. St. Antony’s church was blessed at Kadachanendal, the Community Hall was put up in Sandanamada Street and Don Bosco Foot Ball and Volley Ball Tournaments were conducted for Youth in State level. Then came Fr. Christy in 1982, who was responsible for the women’s cottage industry at Lourdu Nagar. From 1985 Fr. A. T. James was is the parish priest.

Fr. Edward Xavier and Jeganathan were assistants. During his period the church of Mary Help of Christians was built in B.B. Kulam, Don Bosco Non-formal Technical School was put up and started functioning, Don Bosco Foot Ball and Volley Ball Tournaments were continued; for the help of poor children tuition centers were begun in four villages; occasionally Good News conventions have been conducted. The Catholics are making their Christian life fuller through associations like Vincent de Paul Society, Legion of Mary, Don Bosco Youth Centre, Charismatic Group etc. The Parish Priest is planning to build a High School for boys to renew the church building, to make the Sellur area into a new parish and to build houses for the poor.

Contact:
Lourdes Shrine,
K. Pudhur,
Madurai – 625007.
Tel: +91 452 2568142

For more information please visit:
http://www.archdioceseofmadurai.org/lourdes-shrine-k-pudhur/

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The known Christian history of Karumathur intertwined with Usilampatty Mission starts from 1867. Rev. Fr. Isidore Prince, a Jesuit priest visited this place and his friendly approach helped the conversion of many people of “Piranmalai Kallars”. Followed by Fr. Isidore Prince, there came another Jesuit Preist Rev. Fr. Clement Montard as it was the Mission of Jesuit Misionaries. He is known as the ‘father’ of Piranmalai Kallar Community of this area. He provided education, arranged their employment opportunities, baptized them and blessed their marriages. He is fondly remembered even now by the people. Due to his serious illness, Rev. Fr. Montard went to Shenbaganur for rest. Then there was no follow-up for many years. The Catholic Christians were left all alone without any priest for a long time. There was a fall back of the Christians into their old faith. On 24th Oct. 1978, His Grace Most Rev. Justin Diraviam the then Archbishop of Madurai erected a new parish in this region named “Good Shepherd Parish”. He installed Rev. Fr. Mathew Njayarkulam cmf as the first parish priest of this parish. He struggled to re-evangelize them in faith. With the help of the Claretian Seminarians he revived the faith. The present parish church was constructed in 1990 and the presbytery was constructed in 1998. This parish is entrusted to the pastoral care of the Claretians in accordance with the contract made by both parties, the Claretians and the Archdiocese of Madurai.

St. Antohny Mary Claret Church is situated in Moonandipatti, 24 kilometers away from Madurai, and 17 kilometers from Usilampatti. It is situated on the National Highways no. 49 leading to Theni. The parish has got nine sub-stations. Two of the sub-stations namely Azhagusirai and Chekkanurani come under Thirumangalam Taluk, the other sub-stations namely Chellampatti, Valandur, Vadakanpatti, Ariyapatti, Kovilangulam Piraviampatti and Vikramangalam are in the Usilampatti taluk. The total Catholic families under this parish are 150.

Generally the people in this area are largely backward caste people and scheduled castes. The rate of literacy is low. Addiction to illicit liquor and female infanticide are the burning issues of this community. But a few of the Catholic Heads of the families of the parish are working as teachers, staff members in the offices and in other jobs because of hard labor and influence of the foreign missionaries.

SUBSTATIONS WITH CHAPELS:
Checkkanurani, Kovilankulam, Vadakkampatti, Piraviampatti,
Valandur, Chellampatti and Azhagusirai

Contact:
St. Antony Maria Claret Parish,
Karumathur,
Usilampatti Tk,
Madurai dt – 625514.

Tel: +91 4549 287295, 287141

For more information please visit:
http://www.archdioceseofmadurai.org/st-antony-maria-claret-parish-karumathur/

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Saint: St. Antony of Padua

St. Antony’s devotion was started in kadachanendal 30 years back by the simple people, the frist converts of the kattunayakkan Community, Mr. Vedamuthu (Veilu muthu) and his family members kept St. Antony’s statue in the premises and started praying to St. Antony. When the Christians started settling in Kadachanendal area the devotion to St. Antony became popular. Earlier Kadachanendal was under the Salesians of Lourdes Shrine Parish, K. Pudur. A small chapel was built in 1980 and the novena to St. Antony was started in 1981. With the help of Schoenstatt fathers and Fr. S. Jesudasan of Irai Amaithi solai, spiritual needs of the people were met by the Salesians till may 2007. On 16th June 2007, Kadachanendal was erected as an independent parish by His Grace Most Rev. Peter Fernando and Fr. A. Iruthayaraj was appointed as the first Parish Priest.

The new parish of St. Antony’s church, Kadachanendal is covering an area of 15 kms, Surveyar Colony at the South; Alagarkoil village at the North; Mattuthavani – Melur Road at the East; Oomachikulam – vellichanathan villages at the West.

This parish is suburban. It has 7 sub-stations. The population of this area is around 20000 of which the Catholic population is around 1700 (280 families). They are partly government employees and partly daily wagers. The new church was built and consecrated on 17th July 2010.

SUBSTATIONS WITH CHAPELS:
Chinnapatty village, solaimaliyarpatti village, Pudupatti (camp) village

Contact:
St. Antony’s Church,
Kadachanendal,
Kathakinaru (post), Madurai – 625 107.
Tel: +91 452 2422089

For more information please visit:
http://www.archdioceseofmadurai.org/st-antonys-church-kadachanendal/

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Fondly dedicated to Saint Joseph the worker, Church of Saint Joseph, stands as a lighthouse to the people of Madurai.

Located at Arapalaym Arasardi Road, this church draws thousands of devotees towards Saint Joseph. An imposing structure with exquisite architecture, Gnana Saint Joseph’s has an arresting facade with its domineering entrance.

The first church was built in 07.01.1956. On 06.08.1959 Archbishop Peter Leonard conferred the parochial status to the church and dedicated the church to the patronage of Saint Joseph the Worker.

Rev. Fr. T. Britto, SJ took charge as the first parish priest. Shifted and handed over the R. C. Mill School to Sacred Heart Brothers.

The parish continued to flourish under the able aegis of Rev. Fr. J. Dhanasamy, SJ, Rev. Fr. Motha, SJ, Rev. Fr. T. A. Soosai, Rev. Fr. V. M. Irudayam, Rev. Fr. M. Dhivyanandam, Rev. Fr. Arul Joseph, Rev. Fr. S. M. Selvaraj, Rev. Fr. Jude Vadakara, Rev. Fr. M. Gnanapragasam, Rev. Fr. Arul, Rev. Fr. Vimi Charlie, Rev. Fr. Jerome Eronimus. Today Rev. Fr. A. Louis takes her to the golden jubilee year.

Arriving at the 50th milestone of our journey, as we re-dedicate ourselves in the ministry of the Lord, in wiping every tear from the face of humanity, we continue to be a ray of faith, a beacon of hope, and a spark of love!

SUBSTATIONS WITH CHAPELS:
Karimedu – St. Antony chapel
Packianathapuram – St. Antony chapel
Milgate – Annai Veilankanni chapel

Worship:

Everyday
5:30 am Holy Mass
6:00 pm Holy Mass

Sundays
5:30 am Holy Mass
7:30 am Holy Mass
4:30 pm Holy Mass (English)
6:00 pm Holy Mass

Wednesdays
6:00 pm Novena to Saint Joseph

Saturdays
6:00 pm Novena to Our Lady of Perpetual Help

First Thursday
6:00 pm Adoration, Benediction, Holy Mass

Catechism for Children
7:30 am Mass and Classes

Contact:
St. Joseph’s Church,
Gnanaolivupuram,
A.A. Road,
Madurai – 625016.
Tel: +91 452 2361717

For more information please visit:
http://www.archdioceseofmadurai.org/st-josephs-church-gnanaolivupuram/
http://stjosephgnana.org/

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Ellis Nagar Parish is situated in the southern part of Madurai city. The parish church is adjacent to BSNL Tower, Ellisnagar. The parish was erected in 1988. It has no substation and the circumference of this area is 3 sqkm. The main occupation of the people is business and some are working in railways and BSNL. There are 850 Catholic families in the parish. And there are four religious communities in the parish.

Contact:
St. Sebastian’s Church,
Behind C3 S.S. Colony Police Station,
New Ellis Nagar,
Madurai -625010.
Tel: +91 452 2603480

For more information please visit:
http://www.archdioceseofmadurai.org/st-sebastians-church-ellis-nagar/

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Saint: Mary Help of Christians

The parish of Bibikulam is a small and dynamic parish. It was bifurcated from the parish of K. Pudur. Since it was under the Salesian fathers their patroness, Mary Help of Christians, has been given a Patron to the church of Bibikulam. On 26.04.1987, the church was built and blessed by the Archbishop of Madurai, Most. Rev. Dr. Casimir Gnanathickam. It was still a substation. Perceiving the spiritual needs of the people of Bibikulam, Goripalayam, Chokkikulam, Sellur, Narimedu, Alangulam, Mahatma Gandhi Nagar and Thabal thanthi Nagar, the Archbishop of Madurai, Most Rev. Dr. Arockiasamy elevated this small substation into a parish in the year 1997. On that day it had around 200 families. Rev. Fr. P.V. Susai was appointed as a Parish Priest. In the year 2004 under the guidance of Rev. Fr. Angel, anbiams were started. Now it has 335 Catholic families. Elumbur, a little village is the substation which is 10 kms away from the parish.

SUBSTATIONS WITH CHAPELS:
St. Antony’s Chapel, Elumbur, Kulamangalam (Built in the year 1947)

Contact:
Sahaya Annai Church,
Bibikulam,
Madurai – 625002.
Tel: +91 452 2538910

For more information please visit:
http://www.archdioceseofmadurai.org/sahaya-annai-church-bibikulam/

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