Shrine of our lady of refuge, Elakurichi

Jun. 24 Ariyalur, Churches in Tamilnadu no comments

Adaikala Madha Shrine

Beschi was transferred to Vadugarpati (Vadugarpettai today). He worked here from 1717 till 1720. We are unable to know where Beschi was after 1720. But we learn that Beschi accompanied Bishop Pinheiro to Mylapore to Maravanad to collect information about the life of John de Britto, a Jesuit missionary.

Bechi at Elakurichi

In a letter dated 19-12-1726 written to Rome, Beschi introduces himself as already the Vicar Forane of Tanjavur. So we can safely presume Beschi was at Elakurichi from 1721 onwards.

During his stay at Elakurichi a very severe famine overtook that area. Thousands of people died of starvation. Mothers sold their infants just for a few measures of rice. The protestant Danish mission at Tranquebar took advantage of this situration. Generously spending the large amount of money that was at their disposal, they began to net the catholics in to their fold. To avail themselves of this monetary assistance, a number of catholics and even some catechists crossed over to their fold.

It was at this juncture that he chose to invoke Mary as “Adaikala Madha” (Our Lady of Refuge) and composed a booklet called “Thirukavalur Kalambaham” in her honour.

Things began to take a new turn. There was good rain and the famine disappeared. The Catholics who strayed away fro the sake of money returned to the fold. Miracluous favours began to flow. When a fire accident accured at that time in the village, in spite of the strong wind the huts of the Christiants were untouched by the fire. Fr. Beschi understo9od that our Lady had come to live with them and protect them. Wtih the recommendation of the Archbishop of Mylapore he submitted an application, through his Jesuit General in Rome, to His Holiness the Pope for permission to celebrate solemnly the titular feast of “Adaikalamatha” on the third Sunday after Easter every year and also for the sanction of a plenary indulgence for the faithful participating in it. He received the letter of sanction signed by His Holiness himself towards the end of 1733.

About this time the chieftain of Ariyalur, Rengappa Malavarayar came to see Fr. Beschi. He was very much taken up by the learning and piety of Fr. Beschi He was astonished that an European like Beschi could possess such a vast and deep knowledge of “Tamil Grammar” and “Literature”. As a token of his appreciation he donated about 175 acres to this Church. The stone tablet attesting to this fact can be seen even today in the church compound.

Miracles

“July 21st 2010 – Our Lady smiles”

A miraculous thing happend Mother Mary smiled at the girl and touched upon the rosary constantly.

To see the miracles kindly visit: http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=adaikalamadha&aq=f

MASS TIMINGS

SUNDAY: Morning 8.30 to 11.30
SATURDAY: Morning 6.30 to 11.30
FIRST SATURDAY: Evening 6.00 Car Procession ­ Novena Mass
SECOND SATURDAY: Morning 9.00AM Prayer meeting, 1.00PM, Special Mass, 2PM Annadanam
WEEK DAYS: Morning 6.30 to 11.30

Contact:

Beschi at Elakurichi,
Shrine of Our Lady of Refuge,
Elakurichy P.O. Tirumanur Via
Ariyalur District – 621 715, South India.
Phone: 04329 246222

Bus roots

Tanjore –thivaiyaru-thirumanoor- Elakurichi Adaikala Madha Shrine -35 kms
Kumbakkonam -thivaiyaru-thirumanoor- Elakurichi Adaikala Madha Shrine -60 kms
Vellankanni- Tanjore –thivaiyaru-thirumanoor- Elakurichi -125 kms
Tiruchi- Poondi madha kovil -thivaiyaru-thirumanoor- Elakurichi -85 kms
Ariyalur– Elakurichi Adaikala Madha Shrine -30 kms
Chennai- perambalur- Ariyalur – Elakurichi Adaikala Madha Shrine
Poondimadhakovil –kandiur -thivaiyaru-thirumanoor- Elakurichi -32kms

For more information please visit:
http://www.adaikalamadha.org
webSite in Tamil: http://www.adaikalamadha.org/elakurichi-adaikalamadha-history-tamil/index.html
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Adaikala-Madha-Shrine/262020833825931
http://www.dioceseofkumbakonam.org/ShrineAdaikalaMadha.php


Infant Jesus Shrine, Guindy, Chennai

Jun. 24 Chennai, Churches in Tamilnadu no comments

The Saviour of the world Lord Jesus Christ was born of the Virgin Mary as Infant Child (Luke 2:7). At the age of 30 He started His ministry. He preached the Good News (Mathew 5:1-12). He came across the temptation and won (Mathew 4:1-11), He cured the Paralytic (Luke 5:17-25). He healed the sick (Mathew 8:17). The lepers were cleansed (Luke 5:12-1.6), He gave life to the dead. (John 11:43-44). The blind got sight (Mathew 9:30). He cast out the evilspirit (Mark 5:1 -20). At the age of 33 Lord Jesus who did only good, had been caught by the enemies, they whipped and scourged Him. They made Him to carry the cross. They crucified and buried Him. (John 19:42). The third day He rose again from the dead and appeared to the apostles and seated at the right hand of the Heavenly Father in heaven (Mark 16:19). This Jesus is present today in Infant Jesus Shrine, Guindy and reigning over us.

The rise of Infant Jesus Shrine is a sign of miracle. In 1977 February 26th Mr. Morel, Irudayanathan, Shelton, Soundararajan, Dyriam together with Mr.Srinivasan & Mr. Jawahar made a small hut Chapel and kept the statue of Our Lady of Good Health and started devotion for the faithful to come and pray. By the hard work of Rev. Fr. Kanikairaj the present Shrine was built and was blessed and named as Infant Jesus Church by Late Arch Bishop Casimir Gnanathickam on January 10th 1988. Rt. Rev. Dr. Tony Devotta now the Bishop of Trichy by his tireless service for seven years as priest has developed the devotion to Infant Jesus. From 1993 – 2001 Rev. Fr. A. Antony Swamy worked very hard and developed School and shrine premises. From 2001 Rev. Fr. J. Anthony Raj has taken his place as Parish Priest and is taking keen attention to develop this shrine and the School.

There are people who really worked to help the faithful to come over here and pray. They were late Mr. S.P. Dyriam, Rosario Gomes, C. Alphonse, Morel, Louis, Irudayanathan, David, Stephen, Pakianathan, C. Verghese, Mariadoss together with Mr. Soundararajan, V.J. Joseph, K.J. Anthony, S. Michael, S. Joseph, Swamidass, Maria John, Wilfred Joseph, Vitus, Soosairaj, A. Anthrias & A. Preetham, We are grateful for their tireless work to the development of this Shrine,

Thousands and thousands of believers are being blessed by the Miraculous Infant Jesus.

In 1977, a small hut was put up as a chape! of Our Lady of Good Health. The present Shrine was built by Rev. Fr. Kanikairaj and was blessed and named as Infant Jesus church by late. Archbishop Dr Casimir Gnanathickam, on January 10th 1988. Rt. Rev. Dr. Tony Devotta, presently Bishop of Trichy, by his tireless service for seven years, has developed the devotion to Infant Jesus. During 1993-2001, Rev. Fr. A. Anthony Swamy worked very hard and developed the Shrine premises and Infant Jesus Matriculation School. From 2001 Rev. Fr.J. Anthony Raj is taking keen interest to develop the Shrine further.

A very large number of devotees received grace and blessing from the miraculous Infant Jesus. In recent times, there is a tremendous increase in the number of people visiting the Shrine. In view of this, the following renovation works are to be carried out in the Shrine.

Extension of Shrine. It is proposed to increase the plinth area of the Shrine in order to accommodate more faithful inside the Shrine.

Alteration of front-view of the Shrine. It is proposed to remodel the front view of the Shrine, so that the appearance of the Shrine becomes more graceful and enchanting.

It is essential to build a strong community of people who support each other when going gets tough, It is important to reach to the people around us. For that, the following social welfare activities are being carried out in our Shrine

24 Hours Prayer Service.

Scholarships and educational materials are given to deserving poor students of different communities.
Night school for less privileged children is conducted at Infant Jesus Shrine and at St. Antony”s Chapel Ekkattuthangal, a sub-station of the Shrine.

Blood donation camp, medical camp, eye-donation and eye check up camp are conducted periodically.
Free Marriage.

Naveena Swayamwararam (Matrimony Meet) for all the people.

Free meals distribution scheme for the poor students on a daily basis.

Arputha Kuzhandai Yesu-Monthly Magazine both in English and Tamil together.

For the above social service activities and renovation work, a huge sum of money is required.

Your participation in these works by way of donation will be highly appreciated!

You will be Remembered and Recognised

Your contribution to the renovation project will be remembered and recognized as follows

Every Thursday, at 1:00 p.m Holy Mass is offered for the intentions of the donors.

Those who contribute Rs.10,000/- or more will be honoured in a function to be held after the completion of the project. These are only simple ways to remember your support for the renovation of the Shrine. Blessing of Infant Jesus will be for ever on you and your family.

Infant Jesus Shrine,
Labour Colony (behind ITI),
Guindy, Chennai 600 032,
Tamilnadu, India.

Tel.No.: +91 44 2250 1643

Bus Route : From the Guindy bus stop come to Industrial Estate Police Station-Post Office and take the direction towards Govt. I.T.I. The shrine is situated at the back of the Govt. I.T.I.

Railway Station : From the Guindy Railway Station take the subway and come to Industrial Estate Police Station-Post Office and take the direction towards Govt. I.T.I. The shrine is situated at the back of the Govt I.T.I.

Airport : From Meenambakkm Airport come through GST Road and cross Nehru Statue “Roundtane” and come to Guindy Industrial Estate Police Station-Post Office and take the direction towards Govt. I.T.I. The shrine is situated at the back of the Govt. I.T.I Signals are kept to help you to reach safely. Welcome !

For more information please visit: www.infantjesusshrineguindy.org


St Xavier’s Church, Savariarpalayam, Begampur, Dindigul

Jun. 22 Churches in Tamilnadu, Dindigul no comments

St. Francis Xavier Church at Savariyarpalayam was started in 1999. Don Bosco Mission concentrates on family, choosing the individual and providing them education which will in turn bring them employment. Those who are studying are guided towards various careers in education, which gives them better employment .This accomplishes a dignified life, with better standards of living.

History of Savariarpalayam:
– Name of the institution: St. Xavier’sChurch, Savariarpalayam
– Year of starting: 1999
– Name of the location when it was started: Savariarpalayam
– Original purpose of the institution: Pastoral work Parish for dalits.
– Original target group: 100% Dalit Catholics.
– Original scope of the institution: Parish – Pastoral work, Youth work. Community College – Providing Career Guidance – Employment, Awareness, Neighborhood postulate.

St Xavier’s Church,
Savariarpalayam, P. Box No.5
Begampur (P.O), Dindigul – 624002.

For more information please visit: http://www.donboscotiruchy.org/?page_id=436


St. Arulanandar Church, Dindigul

Jun. 22 Churches in Tamilnadu, Dindigul no comments

St. Arulanandar Church,
Kalladipatty,
Ammayanayakkanur(Via),
Dindigul Dt.
Tamilnadu, INDIA.
Pin – 624201.

Ph:04543-236151


Our Lady Of Good Health Church, Packiapuram, Kodaikanal

Jun. 22 Churches in Tamilnadu, Dindigul no comments

Our Lady Of Good Health Church,
Packiapuram,
Kodaikanal,
Dindigul Dt,
Pin – 624101.

Ph:04542-242098


St. Antony Church, Muthalagupatty, Dindigul

Jun. 22 Churches in Tamilnadu, Dindigul no comments

St. Antony Church,
Muthalagupatty,
Dindigul.
Tamilnadu,
INDIA.
Pin – 624 002

Cell:99655-79941


St. Thomas Church, Batlagundu, Dindigul

Jun. 22 Churches in Tamilnadu, Dindigul no comments

The protestant missionaries started their ministry in Batlagundu in 1834 and the Catholics were small in number and their faith was very shallow. Msgr. Peter Leonard made it a parish in 1944, granting the request of the Catholics, on condition that thery should support the priest and should be regular for Sunday Mass.

Batlagundu is situated 70 kilometres away from Madurai on the way to kodaikanal, under the foot of Kodai-Hills. Agriculture is the main occupation of the people of this area. In 1979 Fr. T. A. Michael constructed the new parish church, and dedicated it to apostle, St. Thomas. Fr. Sebastian, the first Vicar Forane, constructed the new presbytery in 1990. There are 700 Catholic families in the parish.

St. Thomas Church,
Batlagundu,
Dindigul Dt.
Pin – 624202
Ph:04543-262452


Infant Jesus Church, Ugarthe Nagar, Dindigul

Jun. 22 Churches in Tamilnadu, Dindigul no comments

Ugarthe Nagar Infant Jesus Church parish was bifurcated from Shenbaganur on 30.08.2009. It is situated in the district of Dindigul and in the Taluk of Kodaikanal. It is the 8th parish in the Kodaikanal hills.

This parish has three substations namely Utcot, Srinivasapuram, Carmelpuram. The total circumference of this parish is around 8kms, and its territories are srinivasapuram, Anandagiri 7th street, Utcot, Ugarthe Nagar and Carmelpuram. There are around 4000 people in this area and among them 400 families are Catholics. 2000 is the Catholic population.

The main work of the people is cultivation; some work as drivers and guides. There are also good numbers of teachers and government workers. But, most of the people are petty shop owners or work in hotels as servers and attendants.
The new presbytery was built in 2009. Worship at this place began in 1975 with a small Arockia Annai “Kurusadi”. Since people were increasing in number, again it was renovated and rebuilt as a small church in 2003 by Fr. Xavier Raj, the then parish priest of Munjikkal. Another chapel of the Carmelite Cloistered Sisters is also used for public liturgy and worship for the convenience of the people at Carmelpuram. This area ‘Ugarthe Nagar’ is named after a Jesuit priest called Fr. Emile Ugarthe, a priest from Spain. Out of his love for the people, he made all arrangements to distribute lands freely and to build houses for the poor Christian labourers. There are six religious Congregations ministering in this parish. The Parish church is to be built yet.

Infant Jesus Church,
St. John Maria Vianney Illam,
Ugarthe Nagar,
Shenbaganur,
Kodaidanal,
Dindigul dt- 624104.

For more information please visit: http://www.archdioceseofmadurai.org


Our Lady of Nativity Church, Silukkuvarpatti, Dindigul

Jun. 22 Churches in Tamilnadu, Dindigul no comments

The origin of Silukkuvarpatti parish goes back to 1878. When in 1885 dreadful cholera broke out the the people of this village took a vow, that if protected from the pestilence, they would make a solemn procession of the Blessed Sacrament on the day of the feast of Corpus Christi.

According to the Jesuit historian, Fr. Leon Besse, S.J. the people of this village came to this place already in 1745 from different places like Tanjore and Salem. The church was built by Fr. Saint Cyr in 1854 and dedicated to our Lady of Health.

There was an eclipse in the life of this parish in 1895 when a certain Soarez came from Malabar and created a schism. Owing to the intercession of Our Lady, this schism died out in 1897, when the leader repented, made a public act of submission and presented to the church a statue of our Lady of Lourdes. This again nourished the devotion to Our Lady.

One of the parish priests was Fr. Saveriar, the first diocesan priest of Trichy diocese. Being a holy man, he was known for his effective blessing. When he
died in 1909 he was buried near the church and people pray to him in their needs.
Some of the later parish priests have been: Fr. Sandena Manuel, E. Culas, A.S. Kulandai, V.M. Amalan, A. Vedamanikam and Susai Michaelraj.

At the time of Fr. Maria Diraviam, ten houses were built with the help given by Mgr. G. Casimir, S.J. for poor Harijans; in Kuranguthopu and Kullalakundru new school buildings were put up; two new parishes (Kavirayapuram and Kalladipatti) were created. With regard to lay participation it must be mentioned that the Catholic Harijan community built, on their own, a chapel for Ubagaramatha. The enthusiasm of the Catholic Action group and the Teachers’ Catechism group
seems to have cooled down in recent years. However lay participation is very strong in the Legion of Mary who visits houses, pray, aid the poor and help the parish priest at the time of festivals. Also Vincent de Paul Society, besides the unit at the centre, has units in Ammapatti, Sankarapurm, and Murukathooranpatti.

In 1997, the Middle School was upgraded into High School by Fr. Cyprian and the High School was upgraded as Higher Secondary School by Fr. Joachim in 2008. In the same year, a convent was built and St. Thomas Sisters were brought to Murugathuranpatty.

In 2003, 125th year anniversary of parish was celebrated by Fr. Antony Rajan.

Kurusadi with open chapel about half an acre which belongs to an individual at Arul Nagar was handed over to parish church by the effort of Fr. Joachim in 2008 in the presence of the Archbishop.

This Parish has produced many vocations: four Jesuits, two Brothers of the Sacred Heart, 10 priests and about 30 sisters for various congregations.

Our Lady of Nativity Church,
Silukkuvarpatti – 624 215, Dindigul Dt.
Telephone No :04543-233366

For more information please visit: http://www.archdioceseofmadurai.org


St. Thomas’ Church, Perumalmalai, Dindigul

Jun. 22 Churches in Tamilnadu, Dindigul no comments

Perumalmalai is a newly created parish separated from Shenbaganur parish. The first parish priest was Fr. Augustine, s.j. who had the experience of helping the Repatriates of Sri Lanka. The second parish priest is Fr. Santiago s.j. who has been serving the people in places like Irudayakulam, Manamadurai, Thangachimadam etc. He is planning to begin a primary school in Poompparai, to conduct a fort nightly inter-faith prayer meeting on Fridays in the popular way-side shrine of Vanathuchinnappar. His bigger project is to liberate the poor Harijans from the clutches of the rich in Pannaikkadu by building them houses in a colony close to the church. The Diocesan parish priests namely Fr. N.A. Manuel, Fr. Susai Michael raj, Fr. Vimi Charlie have carried out the initial plan of the jesuit fathers.

St. Thomas’ Church (Estd 1987),
Perumalmalai, Kodaikanal,
Dindigul Dt. 624 108

For more information please visit: http://www.archdioceseofmadurai.org