Our Lady of Fatima Church
Vallioor

Parish Name : St. Fatima Church
Address : Vallioor – 627 117, Tirunelveli Dt.
Patron Saint : St. Fatima

A Brief History :
Jesuit Mission Catalogue says that already in 1713 there was a Church at Vallioor. In 1973 Vallioor became a separate parish through the tireless efforts of Rev. Fr. Antony S. Fernando. People from the coastal villages used to frequent Vallioor fish market to sell fish and exchange their goods. In the place where they rested for night and fed their bulls, they had put up a small chalpel of St. Michael. In that area a beautiful Church was built in honour of Our Lady of Fatima. The foundation stone for the Church was laid by Msgr. Stephendas, the Vicar General on 13th May 1966. The Apostolic Internuncio to India Most Rev. Bishop Joseph Caprio consecrated the Church on 5th May 1968. The altar was consecrated by Bishop Thomas Fernando on 13th May 1968. The statue of Our Lady of Fatima was installed on 6th July 1968 by Most Rev. Bishop Don Venantio, Bishop of Fatima.

The original chapel of St. Michael became the first residence of the parish priest, Rev. Fr. Antony S. Fernando. Later a spacious priest residence was built by Rev. Fr. Antony S. Fernando and it was blessed Bishop Thomas Fernando on 21st December 1970. The press, schools, prilgrim centre, Life size stations of the cross – all was built by Rev. Fr. Antony S. Fernando. All the structures that were mentioned above were funded by Mrs & Mr. James T. Murry family, the Irish benefactor. Our Lady of Fatima Shrine became very famous and the devotion to Our Lady of Fatima was spread from here. The belfry was put up by Rev. Fr. Panneer Selvam and the adoration chapel and Fatima Community Hall were built by Rev. Fr. Norbert Thomas.

Succession of parish priests:
1. Rev.Fr. Antony Fdo - 1968 - 1975
2. Rev.Fr. M.J . Irudayaraj - 1975 - 1976
3. Rev.Fr. Bancras Raja - 1976 – 1978
4. Rev.Fr. Bancras Fdo - 1978 - 1982
5. Rev.Fr. Gruz Marian - 1982 – 1985
6. Rev.Fr. Victor Devaraj - 1985 - 1989
7. Rev.Fr. R.S. Augustin - 1989 – 1990
8. Rev.Fr. Vladmir Rayen - 1990
9. Rev.Fr. Andrew De Rose - 1990 – 1991
10. Rev.Fr. Theophilus - 1991 - 1993
11. Rev.Fr. Joseph Mascarenhas - 1993 - 1998
12. Rev.Fr. Panneer Selvam - 1998 – 2003
13. Rev.Fr. Norbert Thomas - 2003 – 2008
14. Rev.Fr. A.J. Camilus - 2008 – 2011
15. Rev. Fr. Beschi - 2011 – 2012
16. Rev.Fr. Jebanathan - 2012 -2017
17. Rev.Fr. Antony Michael Lawrence M. 2017 - 2022
18. Rev.Fr. Johnson, Jesu Durai - 2022

Grottos in the parish:
1. Our Lady of Fatima - Vallioor

Catholic Population : 4600

No. of Catholic Families : 620

Sunday Mass – Timings : 5.15a.m.; 7.30 a.m.; 5:00 p.m
Weekdays : 5.30; 6.30 p.m

Sub – Stations
1. Perumalanchi –Thazhapathi Samuthiram – St. Antony

Participatory Structures
1. Anbiyams - 18
2. 15 Pastoral Commissions

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

Other Associations & Activities
1. Little Way Movement
2. Fatima Youth Movement
3. Sons of Fatima Movement
4. Madu Vilakku Sabai

Institutions under the Parish
Holy Cross Middle School, Vallioor – 627 117
Nirmala R.C. Middle School – Therku Vallioor – 627 117

Religious
Sacred Heart Sisters (SHS)
Sacred Heart Convent, Fatima Shrine Campus, Vallioor – 627 117 Tel. 04637 – 222400
Franciscan Sisters of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary (FSPM)
Presentation Convent, Fatima Shrine Campus, Vallioor – 627 117 Tel. 04637 – 222432

Institutions under the Religious
Fatima Matha Hr. Sec. School, Vallioor – 627 117 Tel. 04637 – 220580 (FSPM)

=================

Final Correciton given by : Rev.Fr. Johnson, Jesu Durai
Updated on May 24th 2023