Viagula Annai Shrine
Malayankulam

Parish Name : St. Viagula Annai Shrine
Address : Malayankulam, Tirunelveli Dt. 627 151
Patron Saint : Viagula Annai
Telephone No : 04635 -256141

A Brief History :

Malayankulam is a small village situated 5 kms east from Moondradaippu, a place on the Tirunelveli to Kanyakumari Four ways road. Catholics who migrated from various place due to their jobs started settling in Malayankulam and Theivanayagaperi.

In 1880s, they built a small chapel made of Palmyra leaves, consecrated to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, in the middle of these two villages. The present Church of Our Lady of Sorrows was built later in 1903. Malayankulam was a sub-station in Anaikkarai parish which was in the Diocese of Tiruchirappalli in its early stages and in the Diocese of Tuticorin from its erection in 1923. When Nanguneri was bifurcated and created a new parish in May 1937, Malayankulam became a sub-station to Nanguneri parish.

On May 28th, 1999 Rt. Rev. Dr. Theresnathan Amalnathar, the then Bishop of Tuticorin constituted Malayankulam as the 96th parish of the diocese. 11 villages such as Sagayapuram, Maruthakulam, Thottakudi, Patthiniparai, Panankulam, North Meenavankulam, South Meenavankulam, West Thuvaraikulam, Potthaisutthi, Idaiyankulam and Erukkalappatti were its sub-stations. Nellaiyappapuram, which was a sub-station to Chinthamani parish also joined Malayankulam parish in few years. After four years from 2003 onwards, Malayankulam was entrusted to the pastoral care of SVD Fathers, who took care of the parish till May 13th 2010 and from then on Malayankulam came again under the pastoral care of the diocesan priests.

In the course of time, Meenavankulam was constituted a new parish and some villages joined the new parish and at present, Malaynkulam parish has four sub-stations namely, Nellaiyappapuram, Patthiniparai, Sagayapuram and Thottakudi.

Due to the efforts of SVD Fathers, Malayankulam became a pilgrim centre where people flock together. On October 24th 2005, Our Lady appeared to Mr. Murugan, a Hindu cook and gave him a handful of rice after which the number of pilgrims rose hugely and the Diocese rose Malayankulam church to the status of shrine. The Hall of glory (Magimai Mandabam) which was made by the SVD Fathers for multipurpose became the Church of Glory. A Grotto remembering the apparition of Our Lady was also built in the exact place. SRA sisters are serving the spiritual needs of the parish.

SUB-STATIONS

1. St. Antony’s Church, Nellaiyappapuram
The Hindu agricultural labourers are the indigenous people of this village. At the time of feudal system, some other labourers were also brought to work in the fields of Land Lord Gopi, who owned 12 villages of land. They began living with the indigenous people. Later they became Christians to get alleviated from their social problems like lack of proper wages and feudal chauvinism. From then on Nelliayappapuram was a sub-station to Chinthamani parish and the people built a church dedicated to St. Antony which was blessed by Rt. Rev. Dr. Amalnathar on February 19th 1978. In the year 2004, Nellaiyappapuram became a sub-satation to Malayankulam.

2. St. Stephen’s Church, Thottakudi
The people of Thottakudi were Hiundus in the beginning. In 1933, Fr. Stephen Doss was baptized as thge first Christian of the villlage. With the financial aid of Rev. Sr. Attracta, Fr. Stephen Doss’ benefactor, a church was built in honour of St. Stephen. Later some other families got baptized and became Christians. Thottakudi was a sub-station to Nanguneri from then, and later joined Malayankulam parish.

3. Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church, Sagayapuram
The agricultural labourers who were working in the nearby fields of Land Lords were residing at Amboorani Sathankulam. Later, they became Christians to get away from various social pressures. The entire villagers were baptized by Rev. Fr. Arthur James in 1977 and the name of the village was changed from Sathankulam to Sagayapuram. The present church dedicated to Our Lady of Perpetual Help was built by Fr. Justin and was blessed on May 25th 2020 by Rt. Rev. Dr. Stephen, Bishop of Tuticorin.

4. Our Lady of Lourdes Church, Patthiniparai
The entire village of Patthiniparai is a Christian village, some belong to CMS Church and the majority belongs to Catholic Church. Patthiniparai was once a sub- station to Nanguneri parish and then joined Malayankulam parish. The Church of Our Lady of Lourdes in the village was built by Mr. Antony Costa, a devotee from Manapad.

Succession of parish priests:
1. Rev.Fr. Jerosin A. Kattar - 1999 – 2002
2. Rev.Fr. Vijay Amalraj SVD - 2002 - 2005
3. Rev.Fr. Kulanthaisamy SVD - 2005 - 2008
4. Rev.Fr. Arockiadas SVD - 2008 - 2009
5. Rev.Fr. Arockiasamy SVD - 2009 - 2010
6. Rev.Fr. Jeyakumar - 2010
7. Rev.Fr. Rathinaraj - 2010 - 2013
8. Rev.Fr. Victor M.G - 2013 - 2018
9. Rev.Fr. Justin 2018 - 2023
10. Rev.Fr. Bright Machado 2023 -

Grottos in the parish: NIL

Catholic Population : 1250

No. of Catholic Families : 190

Sunday Mass – Timings : 5.30 a.m.; 7 a.m.; 6.30p.m
Weekdays : 6.00 a.m

Sub – Stations
1. Sahayapuram – Sahaya Matha
2. Nellaiyappapuram – St. Antony
3. Pathiniparai – Our Lady of Lourdes
4. Thottakudi – St. Stephen

Participatory Structures
1. Parish Finance Committee

Christian Life Societies (Pious Associations)
1. Matha Sodality

Other Associations & Activities
1. Mahalir Mantram

Institutions under the Parish
R.C. Nirmala Primary School, Malayankulam – 627 151 A. Sathankulam P.O
St. Antony’s Primary School, Nellaiyappapuram – 627 151

Religious
Missionary Sisters of the Queen of the Apostles (SRA)
Apostolic Rakkhini Convent, Malayankulam – 627 151 Maruthakulam P.O
Tel. 04635 – 256367

Institutions under the Religious
Apostola Rakkini Dispensary, Malayankulam – 627 151 Maruthakulam P.O. (SRA)

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New History in Tamil received through whatsapp by : Rev. Fr. Justin
Previous file name : parish-malayankulam-viyagula-annai0.htm
File before English translation : parish-malayankulam-viyagula-annai1.htm
Updated on 3rd May 2023. Final update on 24th May 2023.