Thirukalyana Matha Shrine
Pothakalanvizhai

Parish Name : Thiru Kalyana Matha Shrine
Address : Pothakalanvilai, Thoothukkudi Dt. 628 702
Patron Saint : Thirukalyana Matha
Telephone No : 04639 - 261330, 296 302

A Brief History
The Catholic History of Pothakalanvilai starts in the period of St. Thomas, the Apostle. Since the Christians of Pothakalanvilai surrounding had been using the ‘Double Cross’ in their Kurusadi, Cemetery and many other Liturgical places, we could confirm the origin of Christianity has been started from the time of St. Thomas. During the missionary period of St. Francis Xavier, he preached the Gospel in the surrounding places of Manal Madha Church and Pothakalanvilai was one among them. So we can find the historical documents of Christianity from 1545.

A few people from the sea coast who came for vending fish and they settled at Pothakalanvilai in 1592. Since they were already Christians, their way of worship and practice of Christian life enriched the people of Pothakalanvilai. A few migrant Malabar Catholics also joined with them and it was the great blessing for the people of Pothakalanvilai to be rooted deeply in Christianity. They put up a small thatched Church. In 1623 they constructed a stone walled church. On 21.06.1727 this Church was dedicated to St. Aloysius of Conzaga. In 1835 the Church was dedicated to Our Lady of Ransom and built just behind the already existing Church of St. Aloysius. In remembrance of former patron St. Aloysius, at present we keep St. Aloysius (அறிவொளியார்) as the patron of Altar boys and girls.

According to the Mission Catalogue of 1914, Pothakalnvilai was one of the 9 substations of Sokkankudiyiruppu. When the nearby village Mudhalur was fully converted in to Anglican Church (CSI), the preacher Helen from Sokkankudiyiruppu came to Pothakalanvilai and preached Catholicism. So that this village is called by his name (Pothakar Helen vilai). In 1935 Pothakalanvilai was made into a separate parish and Rev. Fr. Stanislaus Bangaru was the first parish priest and Kozhunthattu, Valathur, Vairavam, Santhirayanur, Subramaniapuram and Nava Mudhalur were the substations of those time. On 23rd January 1924 a foundation stone had been laid by Bishop Tiburtius Roche for a new Church.

Through the strenuous efforts of Rev. Fr. M.S. Antony, Rev.Fr. Lourdumani and Rev.Fr. Maria Kagoo the Church building took shape and was blessed by Bishop Thomas on 23.01.1971. In 1979 the church of Our Lady of Ransom was rededicated to Our Lady of Holy Marriage by Rev.Fr. Navamani. During the period of Rev.Fr. Rathinaraj, so many huts in the village were changed into tiled houses. During the time of Rev.Fr. Lourdhu Mani, the Chariot was made and the Car procession was introduced on 22.01.1984. Rev. Fr. Rajareegam plastered the outside of the Church walls.

In 1986, Rev.Fr. Peter Rajah upgraded the middle school to high school and later (29.06.1988) higher secondary with fully aided staff. The belfry was built by Rev. Fr. A.J. Rex (1991-1994). During his time, presbytery was built and it was blessed by Bishop Amalanather on 11.07.1993.

The Church mandapam was built by Rev. Fr. Xavier Arulraj and it was blessed on 22nd January 1996. The compound wall and Our Lady of Lourdes Grotto were also built by him. Rev. Fr. M. Irudayaraja (1999-2004) built the first floor of the presbytery. Rev.Fr. Arul Dhanaseelan released the first audio CD (Uravalaihal) from the church which motivated many people to compose songs about Thirukalyana Madha and also the First Saturday devotion has been started in his period.

On 12.05.2013, the church was elevated as shrine by Bishop Yvon Ambroise during the period of Rev.Fr. Fabian Joseph. He also introduced shrine depot, Shrine Magazine and website for shrine. Rev.Fr. Joseph Ravi Balan renovated the shrine in his time and built the Adoration Chapel which was blessed by Bishop A. Stephen on .05.2019.

The present parish priest Rev.Fr. J.R. Venice Kumar has revived the anbiyams, and created 6 ‘sirumanthai’ in each anbiyam ( 12 × 6 = 72) which is consist of 4 to 7 families to come together and enrich the relationship faith and social concern. For the first time in the parish history of Tuticorin Diocese, all 20 Commissions are introduced and started their work in the parish in the presence of Bishop. A. Stephen. Children parliament is introduced for the school children in each Anbiyam. At Navamudhalur, the substation, presbytery was built and opened by Bishop A. Stephen on 01.10.2022.

Succession of parish priests :
1. Rev. Fr. Bengar S. - 1935 - 1949
2. Rev. Fr. Mascaranas - 1949 - 1953
3. Rev. Fr. M.S. Antony - 1953 - 1965
4. Rev. Fr. Lourdumani - 1965 - 1970
5. Rev. Fr. Alphonse Maria Kagu - 1970 -1972
6. Rev. Fr. Rajareegam - 1972 -1976
7. Rev. Fr. Rathinaraj - 1976 - 1978
8. Rev. Fr. Francis - 1978 - 1979
9. Rev. Fr. Aloy Navamani - 1979 -1982
10. Rev. Fr. Lourdumani - 1982 - 1985
11. Rev. Fr. Peter Rajah - 1985 -1991
12. Rev. Fr. A.J.Rex - 1991 - 1994
13. Rev. Fr. Xavier Arulraj - 1994 - 1999
14. Rev. Fr. Irudaya Raja - 1999 -2004
15. Rev. Fr. Arul Dhanaseelan - 2004 - 2009
16. Rev. Fr. Fabian Joseph - 2009 -2014
17. Rev. Fr. Joseph Ravi Balan - 2014 - 2019
18. Rev. Fr. Venice Kumar J.R - 2019 - 2024
19. Rev.Fr. Justin S. 2024 -

Grottos in the parish :
1. Lourdhu Annai - Pothakalanvilai
2. St. Joseph - Pothakalanvilai
3. St. Sebastiyar - Pothakalanvilai
4. St. Antony - Pothakalanvilai
5. Thirukalyana Matha - Pothakalanvilai
6. Paraloga Annai - Nava Mudhalur
7. St. Michael - Nava Mudhalur

Catholic Population : 4750

No of Catholic Families : 916
Pothakalanvialai – 814
Navamudhalur - 102

Sunday Mass - Timing : 6:30 a.m
Weekdays Mass : 5.45 a.m.
Saturdays Mass : 7.00 p.m.
First Friday : Fasting Adoration in Adoration Chapel from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m
First Saturday :
8:00 a.m Songs and Announcement
8:30 a.m. Mass in Malayalam
9:30 a.m. Rosary in Malayalam
10:00 a.m. Rosary in Tamil by Anbiyams
10:30 a.m. Rosary by Pilgrims
11:00 a.m. Our Lady Car Procession & Litany
11:30 a.m. Adoration
12:00 Noon Mass in Tamil
1:15 p.m. Lunch
1: 45 p.m. Auction of Sareeies
3:15 p.m. Divine Mercy Rosary & Holy Noveena Prayers
4:00 p.m. Holy Sermon on Our Lady
5:00 p.m. Mass
6:30 p.m. Rosary and Car Procession
7:30 p.m. Benediction

First Tuesday : Mass at Antony's Chapel 7:00 p.m
2nd day of Every Month: Blessing & Mass at the cemetery : 5:30 pm
12th Day of Every Month : Procession from Shrine to Thirukalyana Matha Grotto, Mass at 6:30 p.m.

Sub - Stations
1. Navamudhalur - Our Lady of Ransom
Mass Timings : Sunday : 9.30 a.m. & Friday : 6.30 p.m.

Participatory Structures
1. Anbiyams - 12
2. Parish Pastoral Council
3. Parish Finance Committee
4. Pastoral Commissions - 20
5. Sirumanthai - 72

Christian Life Societies (Pious Associations)
1. Holy Childhood (பாலர் அவை : 1-5 மாணவர்கள்)
2. Eucharistic Crusaders (இறைநன்மை வீரர் அவை : 6-8 மாணவர்கள்)
3. Friends of Holy Bible (இறைமொழி நண்பர் அவை : 9-12 மாணவர்கள்)
4. Amalorpava Annai Avai for Young Women
5. Don Bosco Avai for Young Men
6. Holy Family Avai for women
7. Eucharist Crusaders Association for Men (நற்கருணை வீரர் அவை)
8. Legion of Mary
9. Legion of Mary - Maria Goretti presidium for Girls
10. Vincent - De Paul Sociesity

Other Associations & Movements
1. St. Aloysius (அறிவொளியார்) Altar Boys & Girls Association
2. Tamil Nadu Catholic Youth Movement
3. Y.C.S. Movement
4. Oscar Romero Movement for abolishment of Alcohol

Institutions under the Parish
St. Mary’s Hr. Sec. School, Pothakalanvilai - 628 702.
St. Joseph’s Girls Primary School, Pothakalanvilai - 628 702
St. Mary’s Boys Primary School, Pothakalanvilai - 628 702

Religious
Congregation of the sisters of St. Ann, Trichy (SAT)
St. Ann’s Convent, Pothakalanvilai - 628 702.

A monthly magazine by name ‘Thirukkalyana Thai’ is published from the parish.

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New Info provided by : Rev.Fr. Venice Kumar J. R.
Content copied form Word file. Previous file name : parish-pothakalanvizhai0.htm
Updated on 2nd January, 2023. Final correction done on May 17th 2023.

Updated on 12 Jully, 2024