St. Antony
Somanathaperi

Parish Name : St.Antony’s Church
Address : Somanathaperi, Tirumalapuram-627 355 Munanjipatti Via, Tirunelveli Dt.
Patron Saint : St. Antony’s
Telephone No : 04635 - 255103

A Brief History :
According to the Mission catalogue, Somanathaperi was substation of Sathankulam. On the 1st January 1924 Somanathaperi was made into a separate parish with 20 substations attached to it, Rev. Fr. X. Gabriel was the first Parish Priest of Somanathaperi. He was a zealous Missionary and converted many people around Somanathaperi. In 1973 Rev. Fr. Arthur James converted 50 families at Keezhakkodangulam and put up a Church for them. Due to his efforts a convent was established at Somanathaperi.

Nedungulam and Barbarammalpuram which were once substations of Somanathaperi became separate parishes and Somanathaperi is left with only 5 substations. The present parish Church and a grotto of Our Lady were built by Rev. Fr. Soosai Raja and were blessed on 13th of June 1992 by Most Rev. S. T. Amalnather. Rev.Fr. M. Peter built the presbytery.

Succession of parish priests:
1. Rev.Fr. X. Gabriel - 1924 – 1946
2. Rev.Fr. D. Gnanapragasam - 1946 – 1951
3. Rev.Fr. V.M. Kagoo - 1951 –
4. Rev.Fr. Vallavarayer - 1951 – 1954
5. Rev.Fr. R.X. Ignatius - 1954 – 1960
6. Rev.Fr. Mariadas - 1960 – 1967
7. Rev.Fr. Arthur James - 1967 – 1972
8. Rev.Fr. Gruz Antony - 1972 – 1977
9. Rev.Fr. Victor - 1977 – 1983
10. Rev.Fr. Jerosin - 1983
11. Rev.Fr. Amaladas - 1983 – 1984
12. Rev.Fr. Soosai Raja - 1984 – 1987
13. Rev.Fr. Ilango - 1987 - 1992
14. Rev.Fr. Devarajan Francis - 1992 – 1994
15. Rev.Fr. Peter - 1994 - 1995
16. Rev.Fr. Sosai Raj - 1995 – 1998
17. Rev.Fr. Peter - 1999 – 2003
18. Rev.Fr. Johnson - 2004 – 2009
19. Rev.Fr. Irudhayasamy - 2009 – 2014
20. Rev. Fr. Jesu Nazarene - 2014 - 2016
21. Rev. Fr. Stanis Joe Micheal - 2016 - 2019
22. Rev.Fr. Thomas M. 2019 - 2020
23. Rev.Fr. Michael Jegathese 2020 -

Grottos in the parish :
1. St. Antony - Keezhakaluvoor

Catholic Population : 3100

No. of Catholic Families : 415

Sunday Mass – Timings : 6.00 a.m; 8.00 a.m; 7.00 p.m
Weekdays : 6.00 a.m; 7.20 p.m

Sub – Stations
1. Chettigulam – Our Lady of Rosary
2. Ilangulam Thattankulam – St. Anne
3. Keezhakkazhvoor – St. Antony
4. Padapargulam – Little Flower
5. Thinaiyoorani – Our Lady of Saleth

Participatory Structures
1. Anbiyams
2. 15 Pastoral Commissions

Christian Life Societies (Pious Associations)
1. Holy Family Sodality (Somanathaperi)
2. Amalorpava Matha Sodality (Somanathaperi)
3. Lourdu Matha Sodality (Keezhakkazhvoor)
4. Selva Matha Sodality (Thinaiyoorani)
5. Legion of Mary (Thinaiyoorani)

Institutions under the Parish
St. Antony’s R.C. High School, Somanathaperi – 627 355. Thirumalapuram P.O.
Munanjipatti Via, Tel. 04635 – 255103
St. Antony’s Primary School, Somanathaperi – 628 355. Thirumalapuram P.O.
R.C. Middle School, Thinaiyoorani – 627 355.
R.C. Primary School, Elangulam, Thattankulam – 627 355. Thirumalapuram P.O

Religious
Franciscan Sisters of the Immaculate Heart of Mary – Pondicherry (FIHM)
Immaculate Heart of Mary Convent, Somanathaperi – 627 355. Thirumalapuram P.O. Munanchipatti Via Tel. 04635 – 255167, 255212