St. Xavier's Church
Arumuganeri

Parish Name : St. Xavier’s Church
Address : Madathuvillai, Arumuganeri-628 202, Tuticorin Dt
Patron Saint : St. Xavier
Telephone No : 04639 - 280809

A Brief History :
Till 1946 Arumuganeri was one of the substations of Adaikalapuram. For a few years it was also part of Sathankulam mission. In 1860 about 18 families embraced Christianity. 1913 mission diary of the Madurai mission mentions about Arumuganeri and the number of Catholics who lived there. It is said that St. Francis Xavier’s Church was built in 1860. The Church was renovated in 1954 when Fr. Rosario Corera was the parish priest. Kurumbur one of the substations of Arumuganeri became an independent parish on 14th June 1985. In 1974 Rev. Fr. Vladmir Rayan built St. Antony’s chapel at Sagupuram. Rev. Fr. Pancras Fernando (1975 -1978) renovated the sacristy of the Church and Rev. Fr. Joseph Amalraj (1978 – 1982) renovated the whole Church. Rev. Fr. Viagulamarian (1985-1990) renovated the presbytery and Rev. Fr. Thomas built the grotto of Our Lady of Lourdes in 1996. Rev.Fr. S.M. Amaladass built new Mandabam in front of the Church in 2005. Fr. Starwin built New Bell Tower in 2014. Fr. Aloysius built New Church in 2021.

A village called ‘Kaanam’, one of the substations of Arumuganeri, is connected with the history of St. Francis Xavier.

Succession of Parish Priests:
1. Rev. Fr. Antony S. Fdo - 1946 – 1950
2. Rev.Fr. Rosari Coraira - 1950 – 1954
3. Rev.Fr. Pushpam - 1954 – 1957
4. Rev.Fr. Gabriael - 1957 – 1960
5. Rev.Fr. Antony Xavier - 1960 – 1962
6. Rev.Fr. Joseph Xavier - 1962 - 1965
7. Rev.Fr. S. Francis - 1965 - 1968
8. Rev.Fr. Antonysamy - 1968 – 1969
9. Rev.Fr. Julian A. Fdo - 1969 – 1972
10. Rev.Fr. Vladmir Rayen - 1972 – 1975
11. Rev.Fr. Pancras Fdo - 1975 - 1978
12. Rev.Fr. Joseph Amalraj - 1978 – 1982
13. Rev.Fr. Gruz Antony - 1982 – 1983
14. Rev.Fr. Antony Pitchai - 1983 – 1985
15. Rev.Fr. Viagula Marian - 1985 – 1990
16. Rev.Fr. Loyola De Rose - 1990 – 1992
17. Rev.Fr. M. Thomas - 1992 – 1997
18. Rev.Fr. Valdmir Rayen - 1997 - 1998
19. Rev.Fr. Devasahayam - 1998 – 2001
20. Rev.Fr. S.M. Amaladass - 2001 – 2006
21. Rev.Fr. J.B. Augustine - 2006 – 2008
22. Rev.Fr. Reyosil Peppy - 2008 – 2009
23. Rev.Fr. Rupert Arul Valan - 2009 - 2014
24. Rev.Fr. Starwin - 2014 - 2019
25. Rev.Fr. Aloysius 2019 - 2024
26. Rev.Fr. David Sahaya Valan 2024 -

Grottos in the Parish:
1. Our Lady of Lourdues - Madathuvilai
2. Our Lady of Veilankanni - Cruz Nagar – A’ Neri
3. St. Annammal - Arumuganeri (Side Chapel)
4. St. Antony - D.C. W. Sahupuram, Arumuganeri (Side Chapel)
5. St. Antony - Melakanam
6. St. Antony - Sonaganvilai

Catholic Population : 2500

No. of Catholic Families : 500

Sunday Mass – Timings : 7:30 a.m;
Weekdays : 5:15 a.m
Rajamaniapuram (Substation) Sunday 5:50 a.m

Sub – Stations
1. Melakaanam – St. Antony the Hermit
2. Rajamaniapuram – St. Antony
3. Sonakanvilai – St. Antony

Participatory Structures
1. Anbiyams and word of God – praying – loving communities
2. 15 Anbiyams in the Parish & 4 Anbiyams in Rajamaniapuram

Christian Life Societies (Pious Associations)
1. Holy Childhood
2. Eucharistic Crusaders
3. Amalorpava Matha Sodality
4. Holy Family Sodality
5. Legion of Mary (1 Presidium)
6. Vincent de Paul Society

Other Associations & Activities
1. St. Xavier's Youth Assoication
2. Don Bosco's Grouing Youth Association
3. Dominic Savio Altar Boys Associations
4. Marriage Encounter Movement
5. Amalorpava Matha Mathuvilakku Sodality

Institutions under the Parish
Santhana Sama Middle School, Madathuvilai, Arumuganeri – 628 202
St. Antony’s Primary School, Melakanam – 628 218

Religious
Congregation of the Sisters of St. Ann, Trichy (SAT)
St. Ann’s Convent, Maduthuvilai, Arumuganeri – 628 202. Tel 04639 – 282691

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Corrections added to the existing content by : Rev.Fr. Aloysius
Pages Scanned : Nil
Previous file name : parish-aarumuganeri0.htm
Updated on 25th March, 2023

Updated on 12 Jully, 2024