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

Christ the king Church, Malleswaram, Bangalore

Jun. 23 Catholic Churches, Churches in Karnataka no comments

Christ the king Church, Malleswaram, Bangalore

Christ the king Church - Malleswaram - Bangalore 1

Christ the king Church - Malleswaram - Bangalore 2

 

Christ the King Church
8th Main Road,
Malleswaram West,
Bengaluru 560 055

Daily Mass Timings:
Monday, Wednesday & Friday 6.30 am (Kannada)
Tuesday & Thursday 6.30 am (Tamil)
Saturday 6.30 am (Tamil) 6.00 pm (English)

Sunday Mass Timings:
6.30 am (English)
7.30 am (Kannada)
8.45 am (Tamil)
6.00 pm (Kannada)

Adoration:
Every First Friday 6.00 pm

Contact: 080-23342313

Holy Cross Novitiate, Yercaud

Jun. 23 Catholic Churches, Churches in Tamilnadu, Salem no comments

Holy Cross Novitiate - Yercaud

Holy Cross Novitiate, Yercaud

Sacred Heart Church, Yercaud, Salem

Jun. 23 Catholic Churches, Churches in Tamilnadu, Salem no comments

Sacred Heart Church, Yercaud

Sacred Heart Church,
Yercaud,
Salem Dt,
Tamil Nadu,
Pin : 636601
Ph.No: 04281 – 222348.

Church Established – 1934.

Our Lady of Fatima Church, East Tambaram, Chennai

Jun. 22 Catholic Churches, Chennai, Churches in Tamilnadu no comments

Our Lady of Fatima Church located on Velachery Road in East Tambaram, Chennai 600059, in the District of Kancheepuram, Tamil Nadu, South India. The Church is under the Diocese of Chengelpet headed by His Excellency Rt. Rev. Dr. Neethinathan Bishop of Chengelpet.

Our Parish had a very humble begining, initally under the Archidiocese of Madras-Mylapore, we started as a substation of St. Francis Xavier’s Church Pallavaram. The then Parish Priest of Pallavaram Rev. Fr. Joseph Nazarene Rodriquez built a small Church in Tambaram in 1936 and it was blessed and opened by His Excellency Rt. Rev. Querreiro the Bishop of Mylapore in 1937.

Fatima-Church-Tambaram-Chennai-2

Since 1939 Rev. Fr. Nazarene began his ministry at Tambaram and on 31st May 1942, Tambaram was made a separate Parish. Rev. Fr. Nazarene was made the first Parish Priest. The beautiful statue of Our Lady of Fatima which still adorns the Church was brought from Portugal.

Rev. Fr. C.J. Mani started the elementary school in 1960. Fr. Joseph Thyparambil was one of the pioneers to start in this Parish the Small Christian Communities (S.C.C), which is called as Anpiams (B.C.C.) today. Then in 1987 Rev. Fr. K.J. Francis was made the Parish Priest, He is one among the Parish Priests who won the hearts of most of the Parishners, he also built the present church and the presbytery.

Then after the bifurcation of the Diocese of chengelpet in 2002. Rev. Fr. E. Arulappa was appointed as the Parish Priest. Before coming to the parish, Rev. Fr. E. Arulappa went on a pilgrilmage to Fatima, Portugal and came with a vision to renovate the old grotto. He also started the novena devotion to our Lady of Fatima on the 13th of every month in the Parish Church. With the upgrading of the School as Higher Secondary, he made the required plans for the extension of the School and built the first floor of the Parish hall. He also built the beautiful Adoration Chapel. The last major work that Rev. Fr. E. Arulappa undertook was the renovation of the church’s floor with marbles, especially the Alter.

In the year 2008 Rev. Fr. A. Arulraj succeeded as Parish Priest, as soon as He took charge Rev. Fr. A. Arulraj made a lot of significant changes in the Church premises, completed the extension work of St. Joseph School and continuing the works started by his predecessors. In a view of making the campus eco-friendly, he started expanding the gardens in the Church and started a greenary bank to make the parishners actively participate towards the devolepment of the eco-system. To bring about the practice of reading the Bible, he also started a Bible bank to help people follow the Scriptures in the Holy Mass and other services.

History of the Holy Rosary

There are differing views on the history of the rosary. The traditional story of the rosary was that Mary herself appeared to Saint Dominic in the twelfth century. At that time, tradition says she gave him the rosary and promised Dominic that if he spread devotion to the rosary, his religious order would flourish. It is quite true that Dominic was quite devoted to the Blessed Mother, but no one knows for sure if Our Lady herself gave Dominic the rosary. If she did, it is quite certain that she did not give him a rosary that looks like the one we have today.

Originally the rosary had 150 beads, the same number of psalms in the Bible. In the twelfth century, religious orders recited together the 150 Psalms as a way to mark the hours of the day and the days of the week. Those people who didn’t know how to read wanted to share in this practice, so praying on a string of 150 beads or knots began as a parallel to praying the psalms. It was a way that the illiterate could remember the Lord and his mother throughout the day. The “Divine Office”; the official prayer of the church; is the recitation of the psalms over a four week period, and is still prayed today. This first rosary was prayed as we do today, a person would pass their fingers over each bead and say a prayer, usually the “Our Father”. The “Hail Mary” as we know it wasn’t even around at that time.

The Hail Mary owes its origin to the rosary. When people said the rosary in the twelfth century, Gabrielle’s greeting “Hail Mary, full or grace, the Lord is with thee” was often said along with the Our Father. Later, Elizabeth’s greeting ”blessed are you among women” was added. It was not until the sixteenth century that the words “Holy Mary., Mother of God, pray for us sinners now and at the hour of our death” were added.

Various people have added other things to the rosary over the centuries. In the fifteenth century, a Carthusian monk divided the rosary into fifteen brackets (or decades) and a Dominican assigned mysteries to each of the decades. These mysteries were events in the life of Jesus as written in the gospels. By meditating on these events even the illiterate could know the stories in the Bible. These decades were the same as ours except for the last two Glorious mysteries. In those two, the Coronation and the Assumption together made up the fourteenth decade and the fifteenth decade was the Last Judgment.

On October 16, 2002, Pope John Paul II, declared that the following year would be the “Year of the Rosary”. For the first time in centuries a change was made in the rosary. The Pope added and defined 5 new mysteries that concerned events in the public life of Jesus. These new mysteries were called the “Luminous Mysteries” or “Mysteries of Light” Today’s complete rosary is now made up of twenty decades of the Hail Mary, separated by an Our Father and a Glory Be and sometimes the Fatima prayer. Evidence again that the rosary is a living prayer that grows with the church. We usually break the rosary into four sets. The four sets are The Joyful Mysteries, The Sorrowful Mysteries, The Glorious Mysteries, and the Luminous Mysteries. One set is prayed on a rosary that has five decades. Each set is prayed on designated days of the week. There are variations however, and in some countries the rosary may even have different mysteries.

Despite all the additions and changes, the important core of the rosary has always remained the same. It is a way for God’s people to make holy the day, and to remember the life of Jesus and his mother. May these humble origins always be with us each time we pray the rosary.

Holy Mass & other worship Timings

In the Parish Church:
Monday to Friday:
Morning: 06:15am Holy Mass in Tamil
Evening: 06:15pm Holy Mass in Tamil

Wednesday:
Morning: 06:15am Holy Mass in English

Adoration:
1st Thursday: 06:30pm Followed by Holy Mass in Tamil

Saturday:
Morning: 06:15am Holy Mass in Tamil
Evening: 05:30pm to 06:30pm Confession will be heard
06:30pm Holy Mass in Tamil

Sunday:
Morning:
06:30am Holy Mass in English
08:00am Holy Mass in Tamil
08:45am Holy Mass for Cathechism Children in Tamil
10:00am Holy Mass in Tamil

Evening:
06:15pm Holy Mass in Tamil

1st & 3rd Sundays of every month:
Baptism: after 10:30am Holy Mass

2nd Saturday of every month:
Morning 06:30am Holy Mass in the Cemetery, Prayed for the departed souls

13th of every month: Parish Novena day
06:15pm Our Lady’s Car procession, Rosary, novena followed by Holy Mass in Tamil.
In Substations:
St. Antony’s Chapel, Malaiadivaram:

1st Tusday of every month:
06:45pm St. Antony’s Car procession followed by Holy Mass & Benidiction in Tamil.

Tuesday:
06:45pm Holy Mass in Tamil

Sunday:
06:45am Holy Mass in Tamil

Sacred Heart Chapel, Railway Colony:

1st Friday of every month:
06:30pm Holy Mass in Tamil

Saturdays:
06:30pm Holy Mass in Tamil

Annai Velankanni Chapel, Vinobanagar:

2nd & 4th Friday of every month:
06:30pm Holy Mass in Tamil

St. Sebastian’s Chapel, Sebastiarpuram:

Last Saturday of every month:
07:15am Holy Mass in Tamil

Contact Us:
Our Lady of Fatima Church (Estd 1940),
Velachery Road,
East Tambaram,
Chennai – 600 059
Tel : 044 – 223 90 722

For more information please visit:
http://www.fatimachurchchengai.in/

http://www.chengaidiocese.org/parishes/view/78

Follow Us:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/OurLadyOfFatimaChurchTambaram

My Lord and My God

Jan. 28 Library, Wallpapers no comments

Photo taken from National Shrine of St. Thomas Basilica, San Thome High Road, Mylapore, Chennai, INDIA

Our Lady of Mount Carmel Shrine, Covelong (Kovalam), Kanchipuram

Oct. 13 Catholic Churches, Churches in Tamilnadu, Kanchipuram no comments

Rev. Fr. Carmalata started the construction of this Church at Covelong (Kovalam) some time between 1770 – 1780. He laid the foundation, raised the walls and died. The church remained incomplete for about 20 years. Sir. John D’ Monte completed the construction of this church between 1800 – 1808. It was erected as a Parish in 1808. According to the Covelong tradition, certain Mrs. Mary D’ Monte who was in a state of mental aberration left Madras and wandered about in Covelong. Our Lady appeared to Sir. John D’ Monte and promised to heal his wife Mrs. Mary D’ Monte, if he would build a church in her honour in Covelong. Accordingly the church of Our Lady of Mount Carmel is situated on the shores Bay of Bengal. The Parish Annual Feast is celebrated on 16th July. The year 2008, marked the bicentenary of this traditional Parish.

Mount Carmel Church (Estd. 1808),
Covelong P O, Kancheepuram (Kanchipuram / Kanchi) District – 603 112
Tel: 044 – 274 72 234

For more details, Please visit: www.chengaidiocese.org

Infant Jesus Church, Pallikaranai, Chennai

Oct. 12 Catholic Churches, Chennai, Churches in Tamilnadu no comments

Pallikaranai 1991 Rev. Fr. Vijay Kiran the Parish Priest of Velacherry purchased 36 cents of land on the Velacherry Road at Pallikaranai the sub station of Velacherry. By the streneous efforts of the faithful of Pallikarani, a thatched shed was constructed with Infant Jesus as its Patron. Rev. Fr. Thomas Selvaraj the then parish priest of Velacherry constructed the present church and it was blessed by Rt. Rev. Dr. Lawrence Pius the Auxiliary bishop of Madras-Mylapore on 4th June 2000. Since the inception of the diocese of Chingleput, Pallikarani was attached to the parish of Medavakkam as its sub station. Through the painstaking efforts of Rev. Fr. Alexis Manohar the then parish priest of Medavakkam,on 31st May 2009, Pallikarani was erected as independent parish with Rev. Fr. Christu Raj as the first parish priest.

Infant Jesus Church (Estd. 2009),
Velacherry Road, Pallikaranai,
Chennai – 600 100
Tel: 044 – 224 63 899