La Sallette Church, Kodaikanal
Kodaikanal is a hill station memorable for its
attractive and antique churches. Its affluent Christian conventions and
culture, still stands distinct. One of the first churches is the "Mother
Sallette" church, which ages close to 133 years. An extraordinary
celebration takes place at La Sallete church every year on the 14th and 15th of
august. This brings about the conclusion of a Nine-day festival. This
celebration attracts worshippers from entire south India, irrespective of
religion, creed or faith. The festival is distinct by means of extraordinary
services and a special procession. The spiritual grace of the churches in
Kodaikanal adds more value to the natural beauty of the surroundings and
provides not just inner but artistic fulfillment as well. Father Louis Saint
Ceer holds the fame of being the first catholic priest of Sallete Mada church.
It was said that a missionary saint – father Saint Ceer
was responsible for building this church, as he got cured of an illness, by
praying to Mother Sallette. It was believed that the foundation for this church
was laid in August, 1865 and the church was completed in the year 1883. Statue
of Our Lady of La Sallette stands supreme inside this beautiful church,
blessing pilgrims with a serene composure.
The La Sallette Shrine was the first Catholic Church in
Kodaikanal and was funded by a generous donation of a Belgian woman who wanted
to thank Our Lady of La Sallette for the cure of her daughter. The
cornerstone for this shrine was laid by a French missionary, Fr. Louis St. Cyr,
S.J., in 1863 and the shrine was dedicated on Easter Sunday of 1866. The shrine
stands as a wonderful example of Tamil French architectural excellence.
The interior of the shrine is quite attractive. It is decorated
with graceful statues of Our Lady of La Sallette above the altar as well as the
statue of St. Joseph. These statues were given by the Bishop of the Grenoble
Diocese in France. The noteworthy and the decorative paintings on the windows
inside the church were drawn by a French noblewoman named Madame Coile.
History
The first church built in Kodaikanal was the church of
Our Lady of La Sallette, built by Fr. Saint Cyr S.J. in 1866 by the donation of
a Belgian lady who wanted to thank Our Lady of La Sallette for the cure of her
daughter. As the Catholic population in Kodaikanal was growing apace, the need
of a parish church was felt. Fr. Sabatier S.J. bought in 1909 a site in
Munjikkal where a large portion of those Indian Catholics who had come up as butlers
or watchmen or peons of Westerners had settled down. The church was completed
in 1910.
Foundation stone was laid on 15th May, 1910 for parish
church by the Bishop Barthe S.J. and the artistic and exquisite present parish
Church was consecrated on October 4, 1911 by the same Bishop. In 1983 the
Diamond Jubilee of the Church was celebrated. Feast of Sacred Heart of Jesus,
the titular feast of the parish, is celebrated in the month of June every year.
The feast of our Lady of La Saleth is celebrated on a very grant scale every
August 15. On 15.08.2007, Kodaikanal parishes were carved out of Batlakundu
Vicariate to form a new vicariate having Munjikkal as its centre.
In the beginning, the fathers and scholastics of Sacred
Heart College, Shenbaganur went to minister to the needs of the parish. The
first parish priest was Fr. Jolly S.J. Fr. Bonhoure S.J., who a great devotion
to the Sacred Heart had created the monument of the Sacred Heart appearing to
Margaret Mary in 1947 – 1949. Fr. D. Kulandairaj S.J. who was friendly with
all, particularly to Fr. R. Croegeart and with their help built in 1973 the
spacious and stately building called ‘Natpaham’.
According to the wish of the donors the ground floor was
meant to be a recreation hall for the youth, for which Fr. D. Kulandairaj S.J.
managed to get from the Jesuit provincial a big Billiard Table – and the top
floor to be a training centre for girls to learn stitching, embroidery and
fiber work.
Fr. Arul Joseph started a charismatic group which is
active still. Fr. A. Vedamanickam renovated the church, changed the wooden
altar into a store altar, had it consecrated and celebrated fittingly the
platinum jubilee of the church.
Fr. Susai Michaelraj moved by the pitiable condition of
Christians formed the Indian Christian Association. He formed Korshak. This
aims at raising funds in order to facilitate mother-child welfare care, social
welfare literary programme; education, marriage and burial assistance.
It was during the time of Fr. L. Anandam (1995- 1999),
the parish saw a socio-political and religious awakening. He formed Kodai
Pastors’ Fellowship (KPF), Kodaikanal Minority Forum (KMF) and Kodaikanal
Christian Schools’ Correspondents’ Forum (KCSC). It was not only the parishners
of Munjikkal, the Christian population of the Hills at large gained
self-respect and self-dignity. Fr. L. Anandam upgraded R.C. Middle School into
R.C. High School and brought it from Bliss Villa to parish campus.
Due to his strenuous efforts, the Tamil Nadu Civil
Supplies’ Go Down was vacated and High School could function from Natpagam
building. The Hill in-front of the parish church was leveled and it became
assembly Ground for the School. Fr. L. Anandam took also initiatives to start
Higher Secondary School. As he had promised, he built the Higher Secondary
building even after he was transferred to Poonamallee Seminary as Professor of
theology.
La Saleth Shrine as well saw new growth during the time
of Fr. L. Anandam. La Saleth Pilgrim’s Hall was built and Extension of La
Saleth Church was completed by him. To foster the devotion to Our Lady of La
Saleth, he released two Cassettes. He also built St. Antony’s church at Kurinji
Nagar, Our Lady of Vailankanni Church at Pambarpuram and he renovated St.
Antony’s Church at Anthoniar Street, St. Michael’s Chapel at M.M. Street.
Fr. S. Xavier Raj was involved importantly in the
economic welfare of the people by starting self-help groups in all the areas of
the parish. This has visibly improved the living standard of the people. He
also built Our Lady of Vailankanni Church at Utcot. Fr. M. Appolin Claret Raj
who also became the first V.F. of Kodaikanal Vicariate built the way of the
cross, set up a huge Grotto of La Saleth on the right side of the Shrine and a
pilgrim office. It was in his time that the centenary of the parish church was
celebrated during which the Archbishop, Peter Fernando announced La Saleth as
Archdiocesan Shrine. Fr. Appolin built the centenary Arch too at the entrance
of the parish campus.
The following are the areas covered by the parish:
Mannavanur, Gundupatti, Kavunji, La Saleth Church, Call Seal Club Road,
Sebastiar’s Church, St. Mary’s Road, Anandagiri 6 streets, Anna Nagar, Indira
Nagar, Turnerpuram, Fernhill Road, Somasundaram Colony, Sivanadi Road, Kurinji
Nagar, Keell Bhumi, M.M. Street, Observatory, Fatima Malai, Pamparpuram, Annai
Teresa Nagar, Vattakanal, Thanthi Medu, Pudukkadu, Bliss villa, Antonyar’s
street etc.
La Sallette Centenary in 1947:
In honor of the centenary of the shrine, the shrine
church was expanded and La Sallette Pilgrim Hall was built. In addition, the
outside Way of the Cross was constructed, a large La Sallette Grotto on the
right side of the Shrine was completed and a pilgrim office was added. For the
anniversary celebration, a Centenary Arch was built at the entrance of the
shrine grounds.
The shrine is a gathering place for the poor, weary or
needy people. Our Lady of La Sallette is seen as a universal mother giving
solace and comfort to all pilgrims of all religions. It is a Shrine of blessing
that offers on its holy ground a remedy for the many ills of its fervent
pilgrims. It is visited by countless tourists and offers peace and solace for
all.
The Feast of Our Lady of La Sallette is celebrated on a
very grant scale every August 15, the Feast of the Assumption of Mary with an
evening service including lights of the Shrine Church and surroundings.
Feast of Our Lady of La Sallette
The event begins with special masses being held in the
church and they continue for nine days. People visit and offer their prayers
every day. Many visitors flock from far and wide to Kodaikanal during that
time. On the last day, the statue of our lady is taken in a huge procession
through the streets of Kodaikanal and people actively take part in this
procession. It stops at many points where scaffold structures of Mother Mary
are constructed by devotees.
Elders offer their children to the priests for blessings
and they get seated next to the ‘icon’ (statue of goddess) for some time. Huge
bands of western and Indian instruments accompany the procession and several
songs are played. Dazzling lights, gala music, cheering crowd and the joy in
every attendee’s face makes this carnival absolutely stunning.
The entire town of Kodaikanal has a festive feel this
time of the year and all the residents participate in this carnival with
excitement. Though it is a Christian festival, the most pleasant aspect is
every person irrespective of caste and creed takes part in this celebration.