Our Lady of Assumption Church, Kamanayakkanpatti,
Thoothukudi
Our Lady
of Assumption Church is located in Puthumainagar, Kamanayakkanpatti in
Thoothukudi District in the State of Tamilnadu, India. This Church played an
important part in the former Madurai Mission and might be considered as the
Mother Church for the southern region. It was also the center of evangelization
in the Tirunelveli inland territory at the end of the 17th and 18th centuries.
It had covered up Srivilliputhur (north-west), Vadakkankulam (south), Tenkasi
(South-west) and the inland areas in the East.
History
This is
one of the oldest churches in south Tamilnadu. The church was initially built
by St. John De Brito about 400 years back. And after that it had crossed
several stages of renovations and finally it has transformed into a beautiful
Chapel as today. In 1664 Fr. Freyre visited this area and found that there were
Christians already here. In 1684, a small church was built by Rev. Fr. John De
Britto, when he visited and made this place as the center for the missionary
activities.
Fr.
Xavier Porgheese was the first parish priest who resided here and administered
the Sacraments. It was the first time that K.N.P. was mentioned in the records
of the history. Around the year 1690, it is said that a girl fell into an open
well and died, while the parents and the villagers pleaded to Our Lady, she was
miraculously brought back to life.
Fr.
Beschi came over during 1712-1715 and stayed here to learn the local language.
It was at this time that he inculturated the Christian faith into the Indian
culture. It was at his time that the Church was named as the Our Lady of
Assumption. In 1728 the Church was several times visited by thieves and
plundered the village.
It is
said that a thief, stealing the image of Our Lady and was about to carry it
away, when all on a sudden, he became blind. Around 1748 the old Church of
K.N.P. was completely burnt down by some evil forces against the Christian
faith, yet the statue of Our Lady remained unstained and was saved. Though it
was a time of severe famine, the Christians rebuilt it against the thought of
their enemies and with divine providence.
Fr.
Lawrence de Almeyda in charge of Mannargudi or Mannarkoil, falling sick on his
way to the Coast, died at K.N.P, on the first of February 1748 after receiving
the last sacraments. He was known as Rajendra swami, and his tomb can be seen
even today at K.N.P. There was an interval of 82 years from 1756 to 1838.
During this time there were no priests, sacraments, Eucharist etc., yet people
stood firm in their faith by their popular devotion to Our Lady, with the help
of the local catechists. Then Fr. Alexander Martin, known as
Visuvasanandarswami accompanied by Fr. Mousset M.E.P., was the first Jesuit to
visit K.N.P.
Both
celebrated the feast of the Assumption in 1838. Fr. Alexander was firm in
removing the discrimination on the basis of caste and getting settled in the
beginning of the twentieth century. After him Fr. J. Maria Dass extended the
Church and built the present one with much elegance and style. It has a
beautiful sanctuary, altar and stands on twelve pillars signifying the twelve
apostles.
As the
beginning of the jubilee year (325) and an honor to Our Lady, the Rosary Garden
was built with leading of Rev.Fr.Arulambrose (2005-2010) and it is convenient
for people to pray the rosary at all times. It is slowly gaining its lost
importance. This parish is known all over for its significant and unique
devotions to Our Lady called “Kumbidu Sevai”, which tells the emptiness of
human before God. This has got very many cultural impacts among the people and
still holds the faith of the people. This is the first place where the practice
of Car procession was introduced by Fr. Beschi.
Now many
people flock to this place of grace and also experience the hand of God in
their prayers and give thanks to God the Almighty through Our Lady. Last year,
this mission has celebrated 325th jubilee year, many are visiting and honoring
Our Mother. People from all over the country come over here throughout the year
and worship Our Lady.
The Rev.
Father Constant Joseph Beschi, known as reverentially Veeramamunivar, who has written the Paramartha Guru
Stories and much more Tamil literature including Thembavani, also served as priest in this Parish. There are two
big teak wooden cars in the church were built by him. The Church is one of
the parishes in RC Diocese, Palayamkottai. The parish includes nearby villages
Ettunayakkanpatti, Kuruvinatham and Sevalpatti.
Our Lady
of Assumption
The
miraculous statue of Our Lady of Assumption at the throne over the main altar
of the Church is the specialty here. The faith and love of the villagers
for Mother Mary is really amazing. However, their faith and love
have their own reason that is the grace and mercy of Mother Mary for the
villagers.
Our Lady
of Assumption Festival
The feast
day recognizing Mary's passage into Heaven is
celebrated as the Feast of the Assumption of the Blessed
Virgin Mary every year on 15
August here. The feast preceded by hoisting of the flag on 6 August and ends
with a Eucharistic Procession around the village on 15 August evening. During
these ten days of the Feast, about 2 to 4 lakhs of pilgrims visit the church.
The
traditional Car Procession around the village with the miraculous statue of Our
Lady of Assumption is the highlight of the Feast. The car procession starts
with a special Holy Mass on 14 August midnight and ends with a public
procession of the Eucharist on 15 August evening.
Contact
Our Lady
of Assumption Church
Kamanayakkanpatti
Duraiyur (Via)
Tuticorin
District, Tamilnadu – 628720
Phone: (+91) 4632 –
244229
Phone: (+91) 4632 –
244230
Email: mailadmin@vinnarasi.in
Email: puthumainagar@gmail.com
Connectivity
Kamanayakkanpatti
lies on Kovilpatti to Pudukottai road. Kamanayakkanpatti is well connected with Kovilpatti, Thoothukudi, Tirunelveli, Chennai, Madurai, Thiruchendur, Puliampatti, Eppothum Vendran,
Pasuvanthanai, Puthiyampuththur, Kayathar and nearer villages through buses.
Nearest
Railway station is Kovilpatti (code: cvp). Nearest Domestic airport is Tuticorin
Airport & nearest
International airport is Madurai International Airport.