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Our Lady of Roasary Church
Mannarpuram
Parish Name : Our Lady of Rosary Church
Address : Mannarpuram 627 657, Tirunelveli Dt.
Patron Saint : Our Lady of Rosary
Telephone No : 9443080563
A Brief History:
Some Christian families from the southern part of Tirunelveli District came to Mannarpuram in 1910s for tapping of Palmyrahs in the farms of the local land owners who are recalled as Primitive Tamils who were worshipping a hindu anscestrol God Mannar with a worshipping spot in the eastern part of Mannarpuram. In the course of time, the Primitive Tamils moved to elsewhere in view of occupation and the Palmyrah tappers got converted by the Anaikarai Mission and worshipped in a thatched hut. The patron of the church was Our Lady Rosary. In 1927, a statue of Our Lady of Rosary was brought from Bangalore.
In course of time, since the population grew high and the thatched shed was too small to accommodate the faithful, they decided to build a church with lime walls for which they bought a new land and in 1935, Rev. Fr. Raja, the parish priest of Anaikarai laid the foundation for the new church at the present site which was completed in the year 1949. It was blessed by Bishop Tiburtius Roche. In 1953, a bell christened as ‘Maria’ was fixed on a palmyrah belfry.
In 1971, the facade of the Church was built. On 17th January, 1982 when Rev. Fr. Cedric Peeris was the parish priest of Anaikarai, Mannarpuram was installed as a new parish bifurcated from Anaikarai. Fr. Joseph Amalraj (1982-1984) was the first parish priest.
Fr. Joseph Amalraj constructed a grotto of Our Lady of Velankanni at the Junction to commemorate the first anniversary of the parish installation. Rev. Fr. Raja Bose (1984-1987) constructed the church portico. During his tenure, the high school which was under the diocesan management was given away to St. Anne’s Trichy. Rev. Fr. Jeya Jyothi (1987-91) renovated the presbytery. Rev. Fr. Jesu William (1991-1996) rebuilt the St. Mary’s Primary School which was functioning in a tiled building from 1953. He constructed a stage for cultural programmes. It is praiseworthy that during his tenure, almost all the huts were converted to tiled roofed houses. Fr. James Selvaraj (1996-1997) succeeded him for a period of one year.
Rev. Fr. Michael Jegadeesh (1997-2001) made the grotto at the Junction popular by celebrating the feast of Our Lady of Veilankanni for 10 days installing a new flag hoisting post. Rev. Fr. Thadeus (2001-2003) constructed Our Lady of Lourde’s Church at Azhagappapuram. He renovated St. Michael’s Church at North Vijaya Achampadu. Also, he started a Children’s Home in the church campus to support the St. Michael’s Primary School which was later on adopted by V.M.S.S.S. He renovated Our Lady of Fatima Chapel at North Achampadu.
Rev. Fr. Arulmani (2003-2008) took steps to document the land at the Grotto which was donated by Mr. John Xavier during the tenure of Fr. Joseph Amalraj and Fr. Jesu William. A piece of land was purchased adjacent to the present graveyard as a playground. The pathway to the Diocesan Land was purchased. The building for the ration shop and the branch post office started by Fr. Jesu William were completed with the foreign aid applied by the former parish priest Fr. Thadeus. The builidng for four shops were constructed at the junction. The parish council was started in the year 2008. Mr. Eben, a C.S.I christian constructed a Grotto of Our Lady of Lourdes and donated to the Diocese. There was an agreement between the donor and the donee that a mass should be celebrated once in a year for the welfare of the donor family.
Rev. Fr. Jerald Cruz (2008-2010) constructed a flag hoisting post at the parish church and constructed the Asana Madam behind the Veilankanni Grotto at the junction. Rev. Fr. George Aliban (2010-2012) installed a statue of Our Lady of Lourdes in the front wall of the above mentioned Grotto. Rev. Fr. Soosai Raja (2012- 2017) constructed toilets for the St. Mary’s Primary School. Rev. Fr. Sahayaraj Valdaris (2017-2021) constructed the building for seven shops at the junction. He laid granite flooring for the Mandabams, interior and exterior at the parish church. He did extension works in the grotto at the junction. He renovated St. Antony’s Middle School at Azhagappapuram. Rev. Fr. Edward J. (2021-....) is undertaking the long awaited Matha Matrimonial Mandabam at the junction. He took steps to document the parish land in favour of the Southern Diocesan Head Quarters and is actively involved in the making of the Southern Pastoral Centre. The drinking water project viz. the R.O. Plant, a project of V.M.S.S.S., was installed in the premises of the Church.
The Sub-stations:
1. South Vijaya Narayanam:
A group of people from Kuthenkuzhy got settled in South Vijaya Narayanam in the late 19th century in view of trade of fish and lime. A thatched hut was built as a worshipping place. St. Thomas is the patron of the people. In 1870, they built the present church with lime walls and tiled roof. Around the year 1923, the church was extended towards the entrance. In 1934, a separate graveyard was bought in the northern part of the village, since the earlier place of burial adjacent to the church was shrinking. In the year 1969, Fr. Hermas Moduthagam helped to build the compound walls.
In the year 1982, it was attached to Mannarpuram parish detached from Anaikarai mission. A new flag pole was installed in the year 1985. In the year 2000, an open stage was built. In the year 2011, the church was renovated. An asana mandabam was built in the year 2012. A grotto dedicated to Annai Veilankanni was built in the year 2015 in memory of the ancestors. The titular feast of the Church is celebrated every year from May 01 to 10.
2. Sivanthiapuram:
The church is dedicated to The Sacred Heart of Jesus. The feast is celebrated according to the movable calendar at the close of the Pascal Celebration in the month of June. The first conversion took place in the year 1939, during the tenure of Fr. Gabriel Nathar, the parish priest of Anaikarai. 60 families got converted as a bulk. In the year 1975, the foundation for the new Church was laid by Fr. Cedric Peeris, the parish priest of Anaikarai and the work was completed in the year 1985 by Fr. Raja Bose, the parish priest of Mannarpuram. Meanwhile, in the year 1982, it was attached to Mannarpuram parish detached from Anaikarai mission. In the year 1995, the Mandabam was built by Fr. Jesu William.
In the year 1975, Rev. Fr. Susai Manickam, a son of the soil, was ordained for the diocese of Calcutta. His call was inspired by Rev. Fr. Cornelius, the parish priest of Anaikarai.
Monthly two Sunday masses are celebrated. There is a Primary Tamil Medium School by the name R.C. Agastiar Vidhyalayam, started on 31/05/1953 by Fr. Augustine Fernando.
3. Sanganankulam:
As per the oral tradition, St. Francis Xavier visited Sanganankulam on horseback, on his way to North Vijaya Narayanam, the Revenue Village Headquarters under Vijaya Dynasty. A herd crazing community (Idaiyarkal) were then the occupants of the village. One of the women offered a jug of buttermilk which he drank. In course of years, three families of Parava and Nadars who were Christians came to reside in the village. Meanwhile, Thevar community came to occupy the village on account of security service to the Vijaya Dynasty and one of the familes of Thevars also got converted to Christianity. These 7 families were worshipping in a small hut in the year 1915. The Idaiyarkal moved away to Sivanthiapuram in course of time. Thus the people of Sanganankulam add to the story of the visit of St. Francis that he put the jug upside down after he drank the buttermilk. Thus, the herd crazing community could not enjoy the blessings of the saint. Thus, three families each representing the communities Paravas, Nadars and Thevars respectively are the minority catholic population in this village as of now.
The origin of the name SANGANANKULAM is attributed to the incident that a Conch Shell (Changu) along with river sand was found as the villagers tried to dig a well. Thus, the village was known as Changu Kulam and in the course of time it came to be known as Sanganankulam.
In the year 1925, Fr. Causanal opened a primary school. The school got the permanent recognition in the year 1930 with the name R.C. Maravar Primary School.
At a particular point of time, an individual started building a church with bricks as a private initiative. However, the church collapsed during the construction and thus the church at the present venue was erected under the initiative of the Anaikarai Mission priest Fr. Arul Swamy in the year 1940. Now, the feast of St. Francis is celebrated in a grand manner by the donations and involvement of Thevars, who are hindus. Thus this village is a typical example for religious unity.
4. North Vijaya Achampadu:
The village has a christian tradition of 125 years. The present generation is the 5th one. Around 50 familes are at present. The Church is dedicated to St. Michael. There is a primary school and a children’s home in the Church premises. The titular feast of the Church is celebrated from Sepember 20th to 29th. The people pious that they observe the Marian Devotion during the month of May. A car procession is undertaken to mark the end of the devotion. The church was originally under the jurisdiction of Satankulam parish and was subsequently under Somanathaperi. And from 1982, it came under the spiritual care of Mannarpuram. In the year 1987, a Mandabam was built by Fr. Raja Bose. The Church was renovated by Fr. Thadeus Rajan, in the year 2002.
5. South Vijaya Achampadu:
In the beginning of 20th century, Mr. Nalla Alosanai Nadar and one of his relatives got converted to Christianity and now it is the 4th generation. Originally, the family had a devotion to Our Lady of Good Health. However, in the year 2001, the church was dedicated to Our Lady of Fatima during the tenure of Rev. Michael Jegadish. In the year 2002, the chapel was renovated by Fr. Thadeus Rajan. From 2003 onwards, the annual celebration of the church was formulated to 3 days towards the end of the month of May. The masses are celebrated during summit days of the Liturgical Calendar and on special requests from the families.
6. Perumpanai:
The church at Perumpanai is dedicated to the First Martyr Apostle St. James. The church has a history of 150 years. The ancestors of Perumpanai got converted from their acquaintance to Kerala on account of jobs. Thus, there is a tradition of Keralites visiting the Church during the titular feast which is celebrated once in two years during the month of August with flag hoisting on the 1st Tuesday. The church has an appeal for healings. Thus, devotees come and stay for 40 days and get cured. The church was under the jurisdiction of Somanathaperi parish until 1982 and upon the creation of Mannarpuram parish, the church was attached to Mannarpuram.
During the earlier days, the masses were celebrated on special occasions in the liturgical calender. After it was attached to Mannarpuram, the masses were frequented. Fr. Raja Bose helped to renovate the church in the year 1987. Fr. William constructed a concrete mandabam in the church. The Flag Hoisting Pole was erected during the tenure of Fr. Thadeus Rajan. The donar was Mrs. Asaria-Sesammal (2002). Asana Mandabam and Sacred Car Shed were constructed with the help of donors from Kerala, during the tenure of Fr. Arulmani. The donars were Mr. K. Nixon (2005) and Mr. L. David (2006) respectively. During the tenure of Fr. Sahayaraj Valdaris, the new construction of the church was started with zeal. However, due to Corona, the donations slowed down and the Church is yet to be completed.
6. Azhagappapuram West:
The Church of St. Antony at Azhagappapuram has a long history since 1806 which is the age of the Kurusady in the main avenue of the Church. The history of the Church building starts from 1856. Thus, the church and the Church Bell have more than 150 years of history. The statues date back to 1890. The history of the Church is supported by stone plates. The church was under Trichinopalli originally and from 1923 onwards it was in the diocese of Tuticorin under Satankulam parish. From 1924, it was under Somanathaperi and from 1982, it is under Mannarpuram parish.
The age-old church was renovated by Fr. Arthur James in the year 1972. He also built the compound wall of the Church premises. The Sacred Car was made in the year 1972. The flooring was paved by Fr. Raja Bose in the year in the year 1984. The Mandabam was built by Fr. Jesu William in the year 1975(?). A small presbytery was built by Fr. Sesu William. The original Flag Post in the Teak Wood was replaced with a Bronze one recently in the year 2022. The titular feast of the Church was originally celebrated once in two years during the month of June. However, considering the summer vacation, it was shifted to the last week of May from a recent past. The present number of families are 34.
7. Azhagappapuram East:
The church has a history of 200 years. The people of Maruthuvar community who were Hindus were prohibited to draw water from the common well and they got converted by the Somanathaperi Mission priests. The present statue of Our Lady of Lourdes was installed by Fr. Joseph, the parish priest of Somanathaperi. Originally, the church was functioning in the house belonging to Mr. Nalla Thambi. Years later, Mr. Sudalai Madan (alias) Gnana Kann donated the land of the present Church in which the church started functioning in a Thatched Shed. In course of time, the church was converted to a tiled building. In the year 1994, Fr. Willian arranged for a Flag Post and a Car and alongside started the feast celebration of 10 days. In the year 2002, Fr. Thadeus Rajan built a concrete church under the able leadership of Mrs. Sornam Ammal. The church was blessed in the year 2003. The titular feast of the Church is celebrated once in two years from May 10th to 19th.
St. Mary’s Primary School, Mannarpuram:
St. Mary’s Primary School was established in 1912. However, permanent registration was got in the year 1938. The sisters of St. Anne, Trichy opened a community at Mannarpuram in the year 1955 during the tenure of Fr. Augustine Fernando and the sisters worked in this school, under the management of the Anaikarai Mission Parish Priests, thereafter. In the year 1986, a new building was put up for the upgradation of the school in a seperate venue and in the year 1987, the management of the high school was handed over to St. Anne’s, Trichy during the tenure of Fr. Raja Bose and the primary school continued to be under the diocesan management.
Succession of parish priest:
1. Rev.Fr. Joseph Amalraj 1982 - 1984
2. Rev.Fr. Raja Boss 1984 - 1887
3. Rev. Fr. Jeya
Jothi 1987 - 1991
4. Rev.Fr. Jesu William 1991 - 1996
5. Rev.Fr. James Selvaraj 1996 - 1997
6. Rev.Fr. Michael Jegadesh - 1997 – 2001
7. Rev.Fr. Thadeus - 2001 – 2003
8. Rev.Fr. Arul Mani - 2003 – 2008
9. Rev.Fr. Jerald Gruz - 2008 – 2010
10. Rev.Fr. Aliban - 2010 – 2012
11. Rev.Fr. Soosai Raja - 2012 - 2017
12. Rev.Fr. Sahayaraj Valdharis D. 2017 - 2021
13. Rev.Fr. Edward J. 2021 -2026
14. Rev.Fr. Kulandai Rajan 2026 -
Grottos in the parish:
1. Arockia Annai - Mannarpuram
2. Loudu Annai - Mannarpuram
Catholic Population : 2150
No. of Catholic Families : 250
Sunday Mass – Timings : 7.00 a.m.
Weekdays : 5.45 a.m
Sub – Stations
1. Azhagappapuram – St. Antony
2. Perumbanai – St. James
3. Sanganaangulam – St. Francis Xavier
4. Sivanthiapuram – Sacred Heart
5. Therku Vijayanaarayanam – St. Thomas
6. Vijaya Achambaadu – St. Michael
7. Vijaya Achambaadu – Our Lady of Fatima
Participatory Structures
1. Anbiyams
2. 15 Pastoral Commissions
3. Parish Pastoral Council
4. Parish Finance Committee
Christian Life Societies (Pious Associations)
1. Holy Childhood
2. Eucharistic Crusaders
3. Amalorpava Matha Sodality for Young Women
4. Don Bosco Sodality for Youth Boys
5. Holy Family Sodality for Women
6. St. Joseph’s Sodality for Men
7. Legion of Mary
Institutions under the Parish
St. Mary’s Primary School, Mannarpurm – 627 654 Ittamozhi Via
R.C. Middle School, Azhagappapuram – 627 652 Ittamozhi P.O
R.C. Primary School, Pandarapuram – 627 652 Ittamozhi P.O
R.C. Agasthiar Vidyalayam, Sivanthiapuram – 627 118 South Vijaya Narayanam P.O
R.C. Maravar Primary School, Sanganangulam P.O. – 627 118
R.C. Primary School, Vijaya Achampadu – 627 652 Ittamozhi Via
Religious
Congregation of the Sisters of St. Ann, Trichy (SAT)
St. Ann’s Convent, Mannarpuram – 627 654.Ittamozhi Via. Tel. 04637 – 293250
Institutions under the Religious
St. Mary’s Hr. Sec. School, Mannarpuram – 627 654 Ittamozhi Via (SAT)
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New Info provided by : Fr. Edward J
Received e-mail with word doc
Previous file name
: parish-mannarpuram-rosary0.htm
Updated on 3rd April, 2023
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