Holy Family Church, Vadakkankulam, Thirunelveli
Holy
Family Church is located at Vadakkankulam town in Thirunelveli District of Tamilnadu. The Holy Family Church was built in 1779. After the
death of Martyr Devasahayam Pillai, his clothes are preserved at Vadakkankulam. These
belongings are kept inside a glass case, and available for public viewing.
Every year, there is a 10-day celebration (Aug 6 - 15) at the church
commemorating the Assumption of Mary.
History
Vadakkankulam
is the first parish of the interior area that joined the Pearl Fishery Coast mission and it was the last parish of the south
western border of the Madurai mission. St. John
de Britto who was on horse
journey accosted the four Catholic families here who had come from the village
of Thoppuvilai in 1600. He built a small thatched church dedicated to the Holy
family in 1605.
As many
Catholic families from elsewhere settled down here, it became part of Nemam
mission belonging to the Jesuit province of Cochin. After de Britto, Fr. De
Souza stayed here and converted many in Marungoor village. In 1750, Fr. Putheri
renovated the church built by de Britto. As per the notes of Fr. Bavane, in
1787, of the 14 parishes of Madurai Mission, Vadakkankulam, Palayamkottai,
Suranam and Kamanayakkanpatti were under the jurisdiction of Cochin diocese.
When the
Society of Jesus was suppressed in 1773, Vadakkankulam was under the
supervision of Archbishop Salvatore Thorais of Kiranganoor. At that time,
priests from Pondicherry served here for some time. After 1838, Thulois Jesuits
came to Vadakangulam. They demolished the old church and laid foundation for
the new church on the 9th of August 1855. Archbishop Canos of
Madurai consecrated this church on the 23rd of June 1872, when Fr. Gregory was
the parish priest. This is the present church of Vadakangulam.
Our Lady
of the Assumption statue had been in the church for a long time. In October
1803, one Mr. Savarimuthu Pillai came to Vadakangulam to interview an English
lady named Hentriette Belderk. As he went to the church in the morning, he saw
clouds hovering over the altar and the statue’s hands opened and eyes shed
tears. Startled he called the catechist Mr. Yagapper Pillai. Lady Belderk came
there as well. They rang the bell. People came and began to pray with tears as
the statue gained its previous status, according to some witnesses.
The
first Vicar General of Tuticorin diocese Msgr. Marianather is from
Vadakangulam. His brother Mr. Yagapper Pillai served as Catechist of this
church for more than 60 years, the Pope Pius XI awarded him with Benemonthi
title in 1935. Mr. Devasagayam Pillai who died as a martyr in Kattadi hills
next to Aralvaimozhi had been baptized at Vadakangulam. His wife Mrs. Gnagapoo
was buried at Vadakangulam cemetery. The turban of Devasagayam Pillai is still
treasured at Vadakangulam church until now.
Parish
Priests
·
Fr. Ignatius 1931-1936
·
Fr. Mariadas 1936-1943
·
Fr. Joachim Fernando
1943-1950
·
Fr. Benedict 1950-1954
·
Fr. Navamoni 1954-1960
·
Fr. Maria Gnanam 1960-1974
·
Fr. Antony M.S 1974-1982
·
Fr. Peter Raja 1982-1985
·
Fr. Cruz Marian 1985-1988
·
Fr. Job de Rose 1988-1990
·
Fr. Irudayaraj 1990-1995
·
Fr. Mariadas 1995-1997
·
Fr. Theophilus 1998 -2003
·
Fr. Paneerselvam 2003 -
2008
·
Fr. Nelson Paulraj 2008 -
2013
·
Fr. Thatheus Rajan 2013
Connectivity
Vadakkankulam
is located at about 66 Kms from Thirunelveli, 24 Kms from Valliyur, 35 Kms from
Nanguneri, 113 Kms from Thoothukudi and 225 Kms from Madurai. Nearest Railway
Station is located at Valliyur. Nearest Airport is located at Madurai and
Thoothukudi.