Anna Nagar is a newly formed suburb of Madurai city. In 1976, at the request of the residents of Vaigai Colony, Anna Nagar, Archbishop Diraviam built a small chapel just to cater to the needs of the few Catholics in the locality, who wanted it to be called Velankanny Church. The buying of the site and the building of the shrine within six months was nothing short of a miracle. The instrument was Fr. S. Jesudasan who as procurator of the Archdiocese for 18 years had become an expert in buying and building.
Within a year this small chapel attracted hundreds of people during the week days and thousands at the time of the titular feast. As the devotees increased, a bigger and better church was thought of . Archbishop Diraviam built the present one which was consecrated on 6th October 1979. It is one of the beautiful churches built in his time. Before being made into a parish Fr. N.P. Alphonse and Fr. Lawrence Xavier serving as care-takers in succession.
Since many Catholics were settling down in the colonies around the church, Anna Nagar parish was created, with Fr. S. Jesudasan as the first parish priest, on 31st May 1985. the parish has got K.K. Nagar, Vandiyur as substations with a catholic population of about 2000.
With the co-operation of Rev. Sisters of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, of St. John the Baptist, of the Holy Cross and of the Seva Missionaries this parish is growing through associations like the Parish council, Vincent de Paul, Legion of Mary, Ilampengal Iyakkam and Eucharistic Crusade.
In the line of option for the poor, a survey has been taken with the help of M.M. S.S.S. for developing the three slum areas.
While the parish is growing, the church is fast becoming a famous place of God’s blessings. The whole day devotees are visiting the church. There should be a priest available to pray over the people, to console and counsel, and bless them. There is a possibility to create a spiritual sanatorium in this church. With this end in view, a small building is put up, called, Thiruthalapani Nilayam’ (Pilgrims’ Service Centre)
SUBSTATIONS WITH CHAPELS:
St. Antony’s Church, K.K Nagar – 3 km
Sahaya Annai Church, LKB Nagar – 10 km
St. Francis Xavier’s Church, Jubilee Town – 3 km
PARISH ANNUAL FEAST:
The Birthday of Our Lady : Flag Hoisting – Aug 29th Feast – Sept 8th
Contact:
Church of Our Lady of Velankanni,
Anna Nagar,
Madurai – 625 020.
Tel: 0452 – 2534371
For more information please visit:
http://www.archdioceseofmadurai.org/church-of-our-lady-of-veilankanni-anna-nagar/
Keyword: Our Lady of Velankanni Church Anna Nagar, Our Lady of Velankanni Church Madurai, Church of Our Lady of Velankanni, Catholic Churches, Roman Catholic Churches, RC Churches, Churches in Madurai, Churches in Tamilnadu, Churches in India
