Tuticorin Diocese

Holy Family Church
Vadakankulam

Parish Name : Holy Family Church
Address : Vadakkankulam – 627 116
Patron Saint : Holy Family
Telephone No : 04637 – 230134

A Brief History :
A Brief History
Vadakkankulam was the first parish in the non coastal territory of Thoothukudi diocesan geographical sketch. It was the last parish of the south - Western territory of Madural Mission Santhayi was first Christian woman who had migrated from Thoppuvilai in 1680, got settled at Vadakkankulam. The Jesuit Missionary John De Britto who was the Parish Priest of Kamanayakanpatti met four Christian families at Vadakkankulam when he was on horse riding. In 1685 he put up a small thatched chapel for them and dedicated it to the Holy Family. He baptized more than 200 people in 1686. Eventually faith in Christ sprouted at Vadakkankulam which was by then attached to Nemam Mission centre of Cochin Jesuits.

After John De Britto in 1699, Rev. Fr D'Souza stayed at Vadakkankulam from where he started converting many people at Marunkur. In 1742-1743, a wooden box with a label *To Vadakkankulam, From Portugal' which contained three Our Lady Statues was brought by the torrents of sea to southern coast of Kootapuli. One was given to Kamanayakanpatti Parish, another was kept for Vadakkankulam and the left one was handed over to the then Bishop of pastoral care. Martyr Saint Devasahayam was baptized by Rev. Fr Puthery at Vadakkankulam on 14.05.1745. Rev. Fr Puthery renovated the Holy Family Church and completed it in 1750. After the martyrdom of Saint Devasahayam his head turban is preserved at Holy Family Church. His wife Mrs Gnanapoo was buried at Vadakkankulam cemetery.

According to the missionary report of Rev. Fr Bavone in 1787 Vadakkankulam was under Cochin diocese. But when the Jesuit order was banned the spiritual needs of Vadakkankulam Christians were taken care of by Kirankanoor Archbishop Salvatore Thorise. For a short period, priests from Pondicherry also came and served at Vadakkankulam.

Tradition tells that on 23.10.1803, around 11.20 am the statue of Our Lady of Assumption extended its hands, its face turned sorrowful and tears were flowing down which was witnessed by Mr. Savarimuthupillai and the catechist Yagapparpillai. On hearing about it people flocked to the Church, wept and asked pardon by singing parce domine parce populo tuo ne in aeternum irascaris nobis and Mea culpa mea culpa mea maxima culpa. Then the statue of Our Lady reached its original state. The historical apparition is recorded in 'La Mission De Mudura'.

After 1838 Jesuit missionaries from Thulus - France, came to Vadakkankulam. They demolished the former Church and put up a new spacious Church with the financial help of a French royal family, Mr Hentriett Belderk Family who had prayed to Our Lady of Apparition and were gifted with a child by the intercession of Our Lady after 27 years of their marital life. The foundation stone was laid on 9th August 1855 and was blessed on 29th June 1872 by Bishop Kanos of Madurai. Rev. Fr Gregory was the parish priest.

In 1926, Most Rev. Dr Francis Tiburtius Roche S.J., the first Bishop of Diocese of Thoothukudi, addressed Vadakkankulam as Little Rome due to its significant construction of the Holy Family Church. The first Vicar General of the diocese of Thoothukudi Msgr. Soosai Marianather hailed from Vadakkankulam and his brother Yagapparpillai served as catechist for 60 years. He was conferred Bene Merenti' by Pope Pius the XI in 1935. In 1993, the then Bishop of Diocese of Thoothukudi, Most Rev. Dr S.T. Amalanathar declared the Holy Family Church as a shrine.

In 1953, Rev.Fr Benedict built an adjacent kiosk to the church. In 2004, Rev.Fr Panneerselvam N.A. beautified the already built kiosk with a platform. Rev.Fr Nelson Paulraj erected a new Adoration chapel in 2010 and renovated the flooring of the Church in 2011. He also added two Blocks for the Higher Secondary School one in 2009 and the other in 2011.

Rev.Fr. John Britto renovated St. Sebastin’s Side chapel in 2019. He enhanced thepremise of the church by constructing a new open auditorium titled ‘MathaKalaiarangam’ and adorned it with a grotto dedicated to St. John De Britto in 2019. Herenewed St. George’s side chapel by extension and it was blessed and opened by Most Rev. Dr Stephen, Bishop of Tuticorin, on 14.08.2020 and in the same year, a Side chapel for Our Lady of Offering was established and was blessed and opened by Most Rev. Dr. Stephen, Bishop of Tuticorin, on 06.12.2020. He modified the infrastructure of the church and a flagpole was newly erected in 2021. He gracefully fixed the stations of the Way of the Cross which were blessed by His Eminence Most Rev. Dr. Anthony Poola, the Archbishop of Hyderabad on 03.07.2022. He appended a grotto stationed at Mangammal Salai for St. Devasahayam to the governance of the Holy Family Church. St. Theresa’s Primary School was newly built in 2022.

Succession of Parish Priests
1. Rev. Fr Bernard D'Souza (1698-99)
2. Rev. Fr Mariya Porgies (1700-1704)
3. Rev. Fr Peter Martin (1705-1707)
4. Rev. Fr Simon Carvello (1708-1708)
5. Rev. Fr Porgies (1709-1710)
6. Rev. Fr Louis Novel (1711-1712)
7. Rev. Fr Ignatius Cardoza (1712-1712)
8. Rev. Fr Bursus (1713-1713)
9. Rev. Fr Bernardiza (1714-1714)
10. Rev. Fr Antony Brandolin (1715-1715)
11. Rev. Fr Alexander (1716-1716)
12. Rev. Fr Domnic Madeyara (1717-1727)
13. Rev. Fr Giliya (1728-1728)
14. Rev. Fr Thomas Quilani (1729-1733)
15. Rev. Fr Joseph Silveriya (1734-1740)
16. Rev. Fr John Baptiste Puttary (1741-1750)
17. Rev. Fr Francis Thomasini (1751-1775)
18. Rev. Fr Deva Varadhanar (1776-1791)
19. Rev. Fr Ignatius (1792-1802)
20. Rev. Fr John Louis Cardoza (1803-1803)
21. Rev. Fr Francis D' Miranda (1804-1808)
22. Rev. Fr Xavier Gestand (1809-1826)
23. Rev. Fr Jacob Putham Peré (1827-1831)
24. Rev. Fr Michael Braz (1832-1835)
25. Rev. Fr Thairiyanadhar (1836-1837)
26. Rev. Fr Alexander Martin (1838-1838)
27. Rev. Fr Louis Turanguvae (1839-1840)
28. Rev. Fr Antonin Sales (1841-1841)
29. Rev. Fr Constaniane (1842-1843)
30. Rev. Fr Joseph Gregory (1844-1844)
31. Rev. Fr Louis Verdier (1847-1850)
32. Rev. Fr Jerome Mess (1851-1852)
33. Rev. Fr Joseph Gregory (1853-1861)
34. Rev. Fr Constantine (1862-1865)
35. Rev. Fr Joseph Gregory (1866-1870)
36. Rev. Fr Boucat.(1870-1873)
37. Rev. Fr William Paget (1873-1874)
38. Rev. Fr Brittrica Bose (1875-1875)
39. Rev. Fr Victor Delbeech (1876-1876)
40. Rev. Fr Jospeh Beserelle (1877-1882)
41. Rev. Fr William Puckay (1882-1893)
42. Rev. Fr Joseph Sung Pashcale (1894-1895)
43. Rev. Fr Adaikalam (1895-1896)
44. Rev. Fr Peter Brunt Intorium (1896-1897)
45. Rev. Fr Gabriel Perideu (1897-1898)
46. Rev. Fr Chinnappar (1899-1899)
47. Rev. Fr Thairiyanadhar (1899-1910)
48. Rev. Fr Adhariyan Kousanal (1810-1919)
49. Rev. Fr Ponor (1919-1923)
50. Rev. Fr Ignatius (1931-1936)
51. Rev. Fr Mariadas (1936-1943)
52. Rev.Fr Joachim (1943-1950)
53. Rev. Fr Benedict (1950-1954)
54. Rev. Fr Navamani (1954-1960)
55. Rev.Fr Maria Ganam (1960-1974)
56. Rev.Fr M.S. Antony (1974-1982)
57. Rev. Fr Peter Raja (1982-1985)
58. Rev. Fr Gruz Marian (1985-1988)
59. Rev. Fr Job De Rose (1988-1990)
60. Rev.Fr Irudayaraj (1990-1995)
61. Rev. Fr Mariadas (1995-1997)
62. Rev. Fr Job De Rose (1997-1998)
63. Rev. Fr Theophilus (1998-2003)
64. Rev. Fr Panneer Selvam (2003-2008)
65. Rev. Fr Nelson Paul Raj (2008-2013)
66. Rev. Fr Thaddeus Rajan (2013-2018)
67. Rev. Fr John Britto (2018 - 2023)
68. Rev.Fr. Martin Manuvel (2023 - )

Side Chapels
1. St Antony - Vadakkankulam
2. St George - Vadakkankulam
3. St Sebastian - Vadakkankulam
4. St Michael - Vadakkankulam
5. Our Lady of Vellankanni - Vadakkankulam
6. Our Lady of Offering - Vadakkankulam
7. Our Lady of Apparition - Vadakkankulam

Grottos in the parish
1. Our Lady of Lourdes - Vadakkankulam
2. St John De Britto - Vadakkankulam
3. St Devasahayan - Manggammal Salai

Sub-stations
1. St George - Puthiamputhur
2. St Francis Xavier - Avaraikulam

Catholic Population: 7350
No of Catholic Families: 1600
Sunday Mass - Timings: 5 am, 7 am & 9.30 am
Eucharistic Chapel Timings: 9 am - 8 pm

Participatory Structures
1. Anbiyams (BCC)
2. 15 Pastoral Commissions

Christian Life Societies (Pious Associations)
1. Holy Childhood
2. Eucharistic Crusaders
3. Altar Boys Association
4. Amalorpava Matha Sodality
5. Holy Family Sodality
6. Legion of Mary - 7 presidiums
7. Vincent de Paul Society

Other Associations & Activities
1. Little Way Movement
2. Don Bosco Youth Movement
3. Krithavar Vazhvurimai Iyyakkam

Institutions under the Parish
1. St Theresa's Hr. Sec. School, Vadakkankulam - 627 116
2. Holy Family Middle School, Vadakkankulam - 627 116
3. St Antony's Primary School, Vadakkankulam - 627 116
4. St Theresa's Primary School, Vadakkankulam - 627 116
5. St Xavier's Primary School, Avaraikulam - 627 105
6. R.C. Lace Industrial School, Vadakkankulam - 627 116
7. Osanam Sewing Institute, Vadakkankulam - 627 116
8. Vincent De Paul Hospital, Vadakkankulam - 627 116

Religious Communities
(1) Rosarian Fathers (CR)
Tel. 04637 - 230180
Rosarians House, Fatima Giri Ashram,
Vadakkankulam - 627 116

(2) Congregation of the Mother of Sorrows,
Servants of Mary (OSM) Servite Convent, Vadakkankulam - 627 116
Tel. 04637 - 230176

(3) Sisters of the Little Flower of Bethany (BS)
Bethany Convent, Vadakkankulam - 627 116
Tel. 04637 - 230122

Institutions under the Religious
1. St Thomas Hospital, Vadakkankulam - 627 116 (BS)
2. Holy Family Girls' Orphanage, Vadakkankulam - 627116 (OSM)

A monthly by name 'Vadavai Matha Malar' is published from the parish.

Succession of parish priests:
1. Rev.Fr. Ignatius - 1931 – 1936
2. Rev.Fr. Mariadas - 1936 – 1943
3. Rev.Fr. Joachim Fdo - 1943 – 1950
4. Rev.Fr. Benedict - 1950 – 1954
5. Rev.Fr. Navamani - 1954 – 1960
6. Rev.Fr. Maria Ganam - 1960 – 1974
7. Rev.Fr. M.S. Antony - 1974 – 1982
8. Rev.Fr. Peter Raja - 1982 – 1985
9. Rev.Fr. Gruz Marian - 1985 – 1988
10. Rev.Fr. Job De Rose - 1988 – 1990
11. Rev.Fr. Irudayaraj - 1990 – 1995
12. Rev.Fr. Mariadas - 1995 – 1997
13. Rev.Fr. Job De Rose - 1997 – 1998
14. Rev. Fr. Theophilus - 1998 – 2003
15. Rev.Fr. Panneer Selvam - 2003 – 2008
16. Rev.Fr. Nelson Paul Raj - 2008 – 2013
17. Rev.Fr. Thaddeus Rajan - 2013 - 2018
18. Rev.Fr. John Britto 2018 -

Grottos in the parish:
1. St. Antony - Vadakkankulam
2. St. George - Puthiamputhur
3. St. Sebasthiar - Vadakkankulam
4. St. Michael - Vadakkankulam
5. Our Lady of Lurdues - Vadakkankulam
6. Our Lady of Vellankanni - Vadakkankulam

Catholic Population : 7350

No. of Catholic Families : 1089

Sunday Mass – Timings : 5 a.m. & 7 a.m.
Eucharistic Chapel Timings : 9 a.m. – 8 p.m.

Sub – Stations
1. Avaraikulam – St. Francis Xavier
2. Puthiamputhur – St. George

Participatory Structures
1. Anbiyams
2. 15 Pastoral Commissions

Christian Life Societies (Pious Associations)
1. Holy Childhood
2. Eucharistic Crusaders
3. Altar Boys Association
4. Amalorpava Matha Sodality
5. Holy Family Sodality
6. Legion of Mary – 7 presidiums
7. Vincent de Paul Society

Other Associations & Activities
1. Little Way Movement
2. Don Bosco Youth Movement
3. Krithavar Vazhvurimai Iyyakkam

Institutions under the Parish
St. Theresa’s Hr. Sec. School, Vadakkankulam – 627 116 Tel. 04637 – 230212
Holy Family Middle School, Vadakkankulam – 627 116
St. Antony’s Primary School, Vadakkankulam – 627 116
St. Theresa’s Primary School, Vadakkankulam – 627 116
St. Xavier’s Primary School, Avaraikulam – 627 105, Kavalkinaru P.O
R.C. Lace Industrial School, Vadakkankulam – 627 116
Osanam Sewing Institute, Vadakkankulam – 627 116
Vincent De Paul Hospital, Vadakkankulam – 627 116

Religious
Rosarian Fathers (CR)
Rosarians Provincial House, Fatima Giri Ashram, Vadakkankulam – 627 116
Tel. 04637 – 230180
Congregation of the Mother of Sorrows, Servants of Mary (OSM)
Servite Convent, Vadakkankulam – 627 116 Tel. 04637 – 230176
Sisters of the Little Flower of Bethany (BS)
Bethany Convent, Vadakkankulam – 627 116 Tel. 04637 – 230122

Institutions under the Religious
St. Thomas Hospital, Vadakkankulam – 627 116 (BS)
Holy Family Girls’ Orphanage, Vadakkankulam – 627 116 (OSM)

A monthly by name ‘Vadavai Matha Malar’ is published from the parish.

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New Info provided by : Fr. John Britto
Scanned page 1-7, Previous file name : parish-vadakankulam-holy-family0.htm
Updated on Oct.12th, 2022. Final Correction done on May 23rd 2023.

Updated July 12th, 2024.