Church of our lady of Health
Vailankanni 61111 District Collectorate
Tourism Plays a Key Economy for the District even though Agriculture and Fishing are the Major ones. Shrines, Places of Hindu Faith, Mosques forms the Spritual Tourism for the district. Annual Festivals and functions marks glory of the Year. Heritages
Fishing, along with Para marine activities like Dry fish ,Prawn farming constitues the second Major economy for the district. The marine ecosystem provides mankind with food, medicines, industrial products and pleasure.Marian Institute The Director
Vailankanni Matha Retreat House
Vailankanni - 611111
Vailankanni is one of the most visited pilgrim centres in India. It is a town situated on the shores of Bay of Bengal. This renowned shrine Basilica of our Lady of health draws pilgrims from all over the world. Not only Christians but also the people of other faiths come to this Church to pray at the shrine of 'Our lady of health'. Knowing the importance of this town the Pope in the Vatican city has declared Vailankanni as a 'Holy city'. This Roman Catholic Church has an extended Basilica, which has two floors where one can find the statue of Jesus Christ. The Gothic style of architecture is a unique feature of the Church. The church itself is an imposing building with inspiring architecture. While the buildings have been painted white roof of the church is made by the tiles with striking red in contrast to the colour of the walls. The environment around the shrine is spick and span. Radiating rays of hope and piety.
There is also a shrine of 'our lady of sorrow' where in the sorrowing Mother is depicted carrying infant Jesus in her hand. The museum is situated opposite to the Basilica has a very rich variety of exhibits. The precious offerings made by the devotees are on display here. Biblical incidents are depicted on both sidewalls Timings 6.30am to 8.00pm. Festivals are celebrated here with all pomp and gaiety every year on August 29th the feast of our lady commences with the hoisting. Of the flag the 10th day ends on the 8th September after the dismounting of the flag.
The pilgrims who come here also follow the Hindu tradition of tonsuring their heads as an offering and also perform ear-boring ceremony, This is a religious centre where Hindus, Muslims and Christian from all over the India congregate in large numbers and worship in harmony.
The immortal wisdom applies to the Premier Shrine in India In a country like ours where "there are more gods than peoples and more temples than houses ", Vailankanni is a singular attraction and draws millions of pilgrims. The crowds of pilgrims here are irrespective of creeds and languages. The tradition recounts that the Mother of God, Mary of Nazareth appeared with the Infant Jesus in this small hamlet by the end of the 16th or in the early 17th century. Ever since, Vailankanni is the most important destination and almost the synthesis of all Marian Sanctuaries for the pilgrims of the world.
True to the immortal wisdom and the persuasive words of Gamaliel, a Jewish expert in Law to the Sanhedrin, which wanted to nip Christianity in its bud, " ....If this endeavor or this activity is of human origin, it will destroy itself. But ifit comesfrom God, you will not be able to destroy them; you may even find yourself fighting against God..." (Acts. 5:38), Vailankanni Matha devotions down through the centuries have proved it to be of divine origin and has assumed international character. Mary, the point of Unity near the 'city of Coromandel' in Vailankanni is the clear proof of international, multicultural and religious harmony. Mary here in the East, is the point of unity not only of all the Christians, but also of different ethnic, religious and social milieu. This sacred land Vailankanni which is popularly known as the Lourdes of the Orient (Lourdes is the very famous Marian Shrine of Europe in France), is 12 kilometers from Nagappatinam. Nagappattinam, a town on the coast of Bay of Bengal was referred by the early writers and the Portuguese as 'the city of Coromandel' (Imperial Gazetteer of India, XIX, 3).
As early as in the year 1505 Ludovico de Varthema refers to the presence of Christians in this area. This area belonged to the Vijayanagar Empire of Narasinga, the Emperor. Three powerful captains were ruling these territories. They were N aiques of Madurai, Gingi and Tanjore. Nagappattinam belonged to the Tanjore Naique. (Guerreiro, II, 327; Fernao Nunes, Chronic a dos Reis Bisnaga, 72; Sewell, 384).
The first written reference about Vailankanni
The first, who referred Vailankanni in historical documents is Fr. Paulo de Trindade an OFM priest. In his chronicle in the year 1630, he writes: "... And two leagues (about six miles) from there (Nagappattinam) in the direction of Mannar (i.e. towards South), we have another Christian settlement, of which one of our Religrous has charge and the Church is under the Patronage of our Lady of Health..." (Paulo da Trindade, III, 68). This seventeenth century chronicle is particularly valuable since it is a testimony to the existence of a chapel at Vailankanni in that century. In 1642 the inhabitants of Nagappattinam refered to Our Lady of Health when they wrote to the Portuguese Viceroy at Goa. (P. Pissurlencar, Assentos, III, 656). From the available sources we can conclude that a church in Vailankanni emerged in history probably in the first half of the 17th century.
Shrine for Mary
In several documents this chapel is called as an Ermida. (Lucas de S. Thiago 1747; Goa 20 Aug. 1747, Nicolao 1779 and Manoel do Amparo 1809). This Portuguese word ermida means either a substation (a filial chapel) or a place of pilgrimage. Manoel do Amparo used this word to denote a special cult devoted to the Virgin Mary as Ermida de Romagem. He also speaks of a Franciscan priest in this place, who in all likelihood was attending on the pilgrims who came for the veneration of the Mother of God.
In the year 1846 Fr. Wilmet a Jesuit priest writing to his Provincial (Superior) speaks of this as '...Church of Vailankanni, a famous shrine of Mary....near Nagappattinam...." (Letter ofP. Wilmet SJ, Trichnopoly, Feb., 1846., ed. P.J. Bertrand S.J. Lettres edifiantes et cu-rieuses du Madure Paris-Lyon- Toulouse. 1865, II, 160). After the renovations and the extensions, the present Church shows the triumph of classicism in structure. The magnificent ambience with its 93 feet high dome and two 82 feet high gothic spirals dominates the topography of Vailankanni. In the year 1920 the indefatigable Rev. Fr. Sebastiao Xavier de Noronha was instrumental in giving the main Basilica the present structure with the two lofty gothic spires facing the Sea, similar to the western Shrines. About the same time the two-storied Parochial building with facility, for the pilgrims was also built. The third floor to the Parochial House was added in the year 1974, to accommodate the increasing number of clergy especially for the annual feast.
Apparitions in Vailankanni
There are many visions, apparitions, and locutions, perhaps as many as all the people who have ever lived. Even now extraordinary apparitions are reported all over the world. The Vatican is unable to process the unprecedented number of reports of private revelations that it receives daily. Autheptic ones convey immense joy and confidence in God's love. As Second Vatican Council states..." Such gifts of grace,-,\Vhether they be of special enlightenment or whether they are spread more simply and generally, must be accepted with gratefulness and consotation as they are suited to and useful for the needs of the Church", (Vatican II, Lumen gentium, 12).
Although the apparitions here in Vailankanni were not well documented Note:12 as in the case of Lourdes, Fatima and Guadeloupe, Vailankanni Matha devotions have proved to have divine origin, simply because billions of people today, have gone beyond the surface of history to the depths of the mystery. Countless persons from many different religions believe in the gentle presence of the Blessed Mother here and honor her. Note:12 In 1642 the people of Nagappattinam had written to the Viceroy of Goa, mentioning about a Church in Vailankanni along with St. Michael. Since they have not mentioned about the apparition, the apparition was little later. See P 60. The Franciscans in TamilNad. By Fr. Achilles Meersman OFM. (1962). Earlier St. Francis Xavier also has not spoken of any apparition when he had visited this area in the year 1541,.
The people who flock may not know her name other than Arokia Matha, but all of them have a relationship with her and hope to get her help for their sojourn on earth. Apparitions are "the sense perceptible vision or appearance of Christ, the blessed Virgin, angels or saints." Many"dpparitions are recorded in the Scriptures (e.g., Tobit 3:16-17; Genesis 26:24; Luke 1:11,26). The authenticity of a_aritions is a matter for investigation and evaluation by the Church. Church approval is always required when a popular cult arises in response to alleged apparitions.
Vailankanni was and is always the heart of the Bishops of this area, ever since the reports were known. By 1846 this place certainly drew pilgrims and had a renowned Marian Shrine is ascertained from the letter of Fr. Wilmet SJ. Fr. Santos has published a letter written by Rt. Rev. Msgr. A.M. Teixeira the late Bishop of Mylapore about the feast in 1921 after his visit to Vailankanni. The list of Parish Priests of Vailankanni Fr. Santos gives in his book is based on the Book of Msgr. Motha Vaz who relied on the records of the Archives of the Maylopore diocese.
Mary to the 'Milk Boy'
In this tiny village on the East Coast of the Bay of Bengal, Mary appeared to a boy who was selling milk for his livelihood. As believed, towards the end of the 16century, it took place under the Banniyan tree near the Pond, in the Anna Street. The shade of the tree and the water of the pond attracted the passers by to rest a while. And so the boy who was fetching milk for a rich man in Nagappattinam also rested under the tree and fell into a sweet slumber.
Suddenly, the boy was startled by a bright vision of a Lady with a Child standing before him. Since he never had seen such a countenance, he was fascinated by this extraordinary phenomenon and was filled with a sense of awe (mysterium et facinatum & mysterium et tremendum). The Lady got milk for the Child in her arms from the boy. From this incident the people called this pond as Matha Kulam (Lady's Pond) and thousands of people poured in to pray in the same place where the Blessed Mother appeared.
When we look at this scene at the altar here, one recaptures at once the grandeur and the child-likeness of that apparition of the Blessed Mother, its sublimity and simplicity, its power of introducing human nature, without shock or scare, into its own world of holiness which is the very vestibule of heaven. Jeevi a well-known artist and a devotee of Our Lady from N agappattinam did this painting in the year 1996.
Blessed Mother to the Butter-Milk Vendor
Some years after the above first appearance, Mother Mary appeared to another lame-boy whose widowed mother, in order to make a living used to sell butter milk near Nadu Thittu. It is not far from Matha Kulam. She again got whey for her Child and told the boy to inform a certain rich Christian of the area to build a church in Vailankanni. The boy when expressed his physical handicap was made whole by the Mother of God. He went to fulfill what has been told to him by the Blessed Mother.
Miraculous escape from the sea-The Portuguese
From the middle of the IS-century the Portuguese were flourishing in their trade with the East. It was a great privilege that the port of Macao in China was in their custody and control.
In the middle ages, Mary the blessed Mother of our Lord was seen as the
redemtrix of captives, as refuge of sinners, as mediatrix between God and
humankind. Even serious theologians were portrayed Christ as menacing Judge
whose heart is softened by the pleas of his mother. She also became known as
the 'Star of the Sea' who guides us safely into heaven's port, and as the
"Mother of Mercy". The mediaeval theologian like Bernard of Clairvaux (1153)
preached that we should have childlike trust in all-powerful
help of Mary and
they influenced the popular devotion.
Vasco de Cama who discovered the sea-route to India in 1492, gave instruction to the sailors and to his fellow sailors that a Marian Statue be tied in front of the ships so that they be protected from all dangers and harm. He himself kept Our Lady's flag to the four winds. (see, Fr. Santos).
On one such journey when a ship had set sail from Macao to Portuga, Note:3 the ship was caught in a terrible storm and the sailors prayed beseechingly to the Blessed Mother.
The Mother brought them safely and guided them to land on the shore of Vailankanni, a place she already had chosen to show the love of God. As a token of gratitude for giving them life once again the Portuguese sailors built the chapel 24 feet to 12 feet with a dome overhead. In their possible subsequent visits, perhaps they brought porcelain plates, which we have even now illustrating bible scenes and other cultural arts of the time, to beautify the Church they had built earlier:The main statue that they had brought to the altar of the Shrine was Our Lady holding the Baby Jesus, standing majestically on the globe. This is the way the blessed mother also appeared to the two boys earlier. The left side of the Main Shrine, under the flag-mast the scene of the Portuguese sailors trying to land the shore is installed by Fr. R. Jesuraj the Procurator in 1996, when Fr. Sammanasu was the Parish Priest.
Thus the people of the area came to realize in time the eternal plan of
the Savior, to bring all the peoples of different faiths, cultures and nationalities
to Salvation, unity and tolerance, which is manifested through the Love of God and
the Love of the neighbor. The present elongated shape with imposing architecture,
compatible with the medieval scale was completed in 1970s.
Note:3 The Shrine History published in the year edited by Fr. G
abriel et al. says that, the direction of the ship is from Macca to Portugal.
The Shrine of Our Lady of Vailankanni written by Rev. Fr. S. R. Santos
(1933) says that it was from Macao to Colombo. P7.
The Order of Franciscan Missionaries
Vasco-da-Gama was followed by Alvare Cabral in 1501. This second expedition brought eight Franciscan Missionaries. Of the eight Franciscan Missionaries brought over to India. Gabral says that"... ore converted and baptized a Rajah or Prince of Calicut, another a Rajah of Cochin, another the king of Cannan ore and yet another a prince of the royal house of Narasinga Vijayanagar" (Mitras Lusitanas do Oriente (Volume III,Page 183). As one may recall, Vailankanni and Nagapatinam were within the limits of the Kingdom of Vijayanagar.
Goa was the main theater and the headquarters for the Portuguese sponsored missionary activities in India. There is a close link between this area and Goa. The diocese of Thanjavur to which Vailankanni belongs still has two retired priests of Goa. A good number are buried near the Cathedral Church in Thanjavur. Further, in 1523, the Portuguese Franciscan Missionaries were in charge of the tomb of St. Thomas at Mylapore at Chennai. These missionaries were also in Nagappattinam in the year 1534 and a bit earlier in Tuticorin, on the east in the Coromandel' Coast.
The expansion of mission stations, and development of the areas, enabled Pope Paul V to create a separate diocese of Maylapore in South India. The first bishop of Maylapore was Dom Sebastiano de san Pedro. Obviously, Vailankanni came under the jurisdiction of this new diocese.
The Dutch at Nagappattinam
In 1660, the Dutch captured Nagappattinam and its flourishing trade from the Portugese. We have the records to show that even the Catholic mission station at Tranqebar was occupied forcefully by the Dutch Calvinists when the minister came to Nagappattinam. (See, Fr. Meersman The Franciscans in Tamilnad. 1962). The Dutch nurtured animosity for the Catholics.After their capture of Nagappattinam port they showed bitterness and expelled all the religious orders engaged in mission work. Franciscans, Augustinians and the Jesuits were involved in the mission work in this area. The prestigious St. Joseph's College of Trichy, was founded in 1840 by the Jesuits , in Nagappattinam, and was shifted to the present site in Trichy. The buildings in Nagappattinam are kept as District Court even today.
In 1662 the Franciscans transferred their Church which was within the port area to another place under the guidance of Rev. Fr. Francisco de Oriente. Rev Oriente thus became the first parish priest of the Church of Immaculate Conception. There was and still is another Church in the custody of Catholics called Mar-de-Deus or Mar-de-Deus. This church is not identical with the Church of Immaculate Conception.
The Persecution by Dutch
The Dutch made N agappattinam the capital of all their trading colonies in the East. The Dutch missionaries even learned Portuguese and preached Calvinism in that language to attract the audience. Although the Raja was in favor of Catholics (eight thousand at this time), the Catholics gradually developed their mission in Vailankanni. The priests were even going from Vailankanni to Nagappattinam for the spiritual need of the people under the pretext of friendly visits.
The Dutch also became masters of Sri Lanka. It is possible that they imported from Holland the fierce quarrels and persecutions which were then raging in Europe against the Catholics.
We come to know from the experience al1d writings of Venerable Father Joseph Vaz, a heroic and undaunted missionary in Sri Lanka, that the Dutch, atrociously persecuted the Portuguese (mostly Catholics) and the Native Catholics alike. They vehemently opposed the Holy Mass and the veneration of the Blessed Mother, which is the very identity of Catholicism. In the year 1771, i.e. towards the end of Dutch power in Nagappattinam, when Fr. Antonio D. Rosario was the Parish Priest, there were only 4000 Catholics in the parish.
The anti-Catholic activities of the Dutch in Nagappattinam were probably the real cause for the poor progress in Vailankanni. The Dutch almost ruled the place for a hundred years. After the arrival of English, there was peace and progress for the mission in Vailankanni; the news of the apparition of Our Lady was spreading gradually.
Vailankanni, a New Parish and Thanjavur a New Diocese
In the year 1771, Vailankanni acquired the status of a Parish with Fr. Antonio de Rozario as the First Parish Priest. He was the parish priest in Nagappattinam. After the Franciscans, the diocese of Mylapore was in charge of the mission in this area until 1952. It was in that year that Thanjavur a Cavery fed basin became a new diocese. Vailankanni came within the territory and jurisdiction of the Bishop of Thanjavur. Rev. Rajarethina_ Arokiasamy Sundaram, a priest of Mylapore Archdiocese, from Valamburi near Thanjavur was appointed the first Bishop of Thanjavur. Bishop Sundaram showed keen interest in the development of Vailankanni Shrine and granted special spiritual privileges. He also arranged for the Special Status of a Minor Basilica to Vailankanni. In the year 1962 on 3 November, John XXIII through his Apostolic Letter 'To Perpetuate the Memory of the Event' granted this status to this Church.
Vailankanni, the Shrine Basilica
It is a greatest honor for a Church that it be raised to the status of a Basilica. The Greek word Basilica signifies a "Royal Hall". In course of time this word has come to mean a large and beautiful hall. In ancient times the whole world in general and Rome in particular, erected large halls for administrative purposes. The first hall bearing the name of Basilica existed in Athens. But after the fall of Greeks, the Romans popularized it. It was Julius Caesar who artistically constructed the Hall of "Basilica Julia" for administrative purposes. They are somewhat similar to the "Durbar Halls" in our palaces in Madurai, Mysore, Thanjavur etc.
In Rome, there are 13 Basilicas and of which five are major and eight are minor Basilicas. The major Basilicas are usually under the supervision of Cardinals and accorded special spiritual privileges. In India there are minor Basilicas like, the Basilica of Our Lady of Mount Bandra in Mumbay, the Basilica of Born Jesus in Goa, the Basilica of St. Thomas (Santhome) in Chennai etc.
As Fr. Santos says "The ever increasing number of Vailankanni pilgrims was due to a great extent the people's advertisement of the Favours of Our Lady all over India. The numberless poor who came to Vailankanni on foot, returned to their homes singing from door to door and from villages to village the glories and favors of Vailankanni Aroquiamada very much in the style of the troubadoures of the Middle Ages In Europe".... 4 Father Santos includes the Anglo-Indians also in being instrumental for the spread of this devotion. Actually the press initially did very little for the spread of the devotion to the miraculous statue of Our Lady of Vailankanni.
The apparitions of Vailankanni, stretched beyond the historical reason that determined the construction of a Church. Now this Church represents an organic whole, which is religious and artistic as well. Those who come here fully participate in the mysteries of salvation. The Holy Path has the Way of the Cross and the Mysteries of the Rosary displayed in statues. The paintings and other artistic structures quicken the piety of the devotees. In 1998 the scene of Calvary, another masterpiece with out mannerism in art, is installed in the Lower Extension Basilica. Note:4 Fr. Santos The Shrine of Our Lady of Vailankanni P 22.
The Shrine Town
The system of government underwent a number of changes. Countless pilgrimages on the part of groups, families and private individuals combined to make Vailankanni, the most desired destination. Vailankanni comes under Selection Grade Town Panchayat and is known as Township. The Chairperson with the Counselors is the chief executive here. This is a Parish covering an area of 5,478 hectares. It has a population around 30000. The Parish administration has the Rector and the Parish Priest as the head of the governance here. The present Rector Very Rev. G. Arul Iruthayam known for his astuteness and organizational ability took charge of the Shrine in June 1998.
Fr. Jesuraj the present procurator is well conversant with men and matters here. There are four more associate priests, in charge of different portfolios in the Shrine, like Liturgy, Accommodations, Canteen and Depot. There are also three senior priests who administer the Sacrament of Reconciliation.
There are three more priests who are in service, for the Marian Institute Retreat Centre and the School. There are 653 persons helping the Shrine in the day today activities. Bishop Devadass Ambrose visits the Shrine periodically to encourage and monitor the whole administration.
The Annual Feast
During the annual fest days, the Basilica and Vailankanni take a new life, and the vicinity is decorated even in its farthest corners. Also Vailankanni has become the base-camp, for the pilgrims of all faiths. It is believed by tradition that the Portuguese storm-tossed ship safely reached the shore in Vailankanni on the September 8, on the feast of the Nativity (Birthday) of our Lady. In memory of these two great events, the annual feast of Our Lady of Good Health also is celebrated on this day.
A large concourse of devotees witnesses the flag hoisting on the 29th of August every year. The following nine days of preparation itself will be feasts here. Novenas, Special Liturgical and paraliturgical services are conducted in the Church for the pilgrims on these days. A conservative estimate of the crowd is around 1.5 million on these days.
To Jesus with Mary
The priests here among other administrative duties concentrate principally on the liturgical and pastoral animation of the pilgrims. The devotion to Mary does not end with her alone. Jesus asks, "Who is my mother and my brother and my sister?" (MLc. 3:33). And his answer by claiming that his family is "those who hear the word of God and act on it" endears all of us to him. The main person who has heard God's word and acted on it has been Mary. It is not a condemnation of his Mother as some 'Christian Sects' preach in our streets, Jesus indicates that his blood family and his faith family can be joined since it is Mary who fulfills both demands. Though Mary's maternal relationship to Jesus started in her womb through her umbilical cord, at times in His Father's work she finds herself as though marginalised to the periphery of his life.
When Jesus dies, Mary's mothering takes a new direction. Mary becomes the Mother of the Church, Mother of the Community of the Kingdom of God. Together with the disciples she gathered for prayer and participated in the Community's Pentecost experience. Mary is a model disciple for us and her wisdom to live with the mystery of God is at the heart of all reality. Throughout the history peoples grew in the consciousness of reliance on Mary's protection and so a lot of devotional forms continued to proliferate. As William of Ware (D early 1300) insisted that he would rather err in giving the Blessed Virgin too much than too little. To that end he employed the medieval formula along with Duns Scotus (D. 1308), "God could do something, it was fitting that he should (in Mary), therefore, he did it." (Potuit,decuit. facit).
Holy Mass-the Redemptive Atonement
The Second Vatican Council made the following declaration among others with respect to the Mass. "At the Last Supper, on the night when he was betrayed, our Savior instituted the Eucharistic Sacrifice of his Body and Blood. He did this in order to perpetuate the Sacrifice of the Cross throughout the centuries until he should come again, and so to entrust to his beloved spouse, the Church, a memorial of his death and resurrection: a sacrament of love, a sign of unity, a bond of charity, a paschal banquet in which Christ is consumed, the mind is filled with grace, and a pledge of future glory is given to us" (Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy, No.47)
"...As often as the Sacrifice of the Cross in which 'Christ, our Passover, has been sacrificed' (1 Cor. 5.7) is celebrated on an altar, the work of our redemption is carried on. At the same time, in the sacrament of the Eucharistic bread the unity of all believers who form one body in Christ (cf. 1 Cor. 10: 17) is both expressed and brought about. All men are called to this union with Christ..." (Dogmatic Constitution on the Church, No.3.)."
"...The ministerial priest, by the sacred power he enjoys, moulds and rules the priestly people. Acting in the person of Christ, he brings about the Eucharistic Sacrifice, and offers it to God in the name of all the people. For their part, the faithful join in the offering of the Eucharist by virtue of their royal priesthood..." (Ibid., No.10).
The council of Trent clarifies another point in its decrees"... This Sacrifice is identical with the Sacrifice of the Cross, inasmuch as Christ is the Priest and Victim in both. A difference lies in the manner of offering, which was bloody upon the Cross and is bloodless on the Altar. The Mass is a propitiatory Sacrifice, atoning for the sins of the living and dead for whom it is offered..." (The Decrees on the Holy Eucharist. No.2 & 3). Therefore, the Liturgy is the Most important activity in the Shrine. All other prayers are focused towards this reeriaytment of the Calvary Sacrifice of Jesus. Masses are said in many different languages. More than 15 priests from different states are invited for this purpose. The entire clergy of the diocese are invited mainly for sacramental purpose.
Flag-Hoisting Every Day! During the Feast
At noon, the flag of Our Lady is hoisted every day during these nine days of the Novena and the Feast. During this ceremony an intense feeling is aroused leaving behind raptureous eyes and murmuring lips, proclaiming her praises. A judge from Pondichery has reported of a miraculous cure of his Asthma during this Flag-hoisting. If Bakthi is your cup of tea, it is heartening to know that a place like Vailankanni exists to celebrate the cause of it. During this time, as always, the ambience at the Shrine has to be experiencf!d to be believed. Serial bulbs light up the place, the subtle fragrance of fresh flowers, incense and camphor fumes waft around in the air, elevating the hearts and minds of the pilgrims in the wonderful Sannidhannam . It is a heart renting experience to see the hundredsof-thousands, devotees of Our Lady, standing all along unmindful of the scorching midday sun to greet and pray through Our Lady.
The [Car] Procession-The Heaven on Earth
Another important and crowd pulling event of those festive days is the Car Procession that takes place at 8 p.m. every day. This follows the liturgical services of the evenings. Since Vailankanni is in the coast, the people from the beginning carry the Chapparam (Cars) as pulling will be next to impossible. People in the east consider that participating in the festivals, pulling the cars or witnessing the flag hoisting are sacred and sacramental. These are all symbolic expressions of their love for and commitment to God.
When the Cars and the big Chariot are brought in front of the Main Church, prayers are offered for World Peace and for the motherland, for the Universal Church and for the National leaders. Saint Bernadus' prayer commencing by these words Remember O Most Holy Virgin is said just before the Flag-hoisting every day. Magnificent the revolutionary song of Mary from the gospel of Mark and Luke is recited ceremoniously with articulation before the Car Procession every day.
The Government, for Bondobust duty of the feast sends a contingent of 500 police officers, 10 DSPs, 25 Inspectors, 40 SISs and 60 women police. Over and above the Shrine spends enormous amount of money in deploying additional watchmen, sweepers and other work force. A sizable sum is also spent in supplying potable water, and keeping the place clean. It goes with out saying that the illumination of the Church and the lighting of the places make one verbalize the sentiment as 'If there is heaven it is here, it is here.
The concept of the Blessed Virgin, Mother of God is rooted in human consciousness. It has intrigued people from the beginning. The Virtues and dignity of the Blessed Virgin, Mother of God are extolled in the world's art, music, literatures and architecture. Virgin Mary has a unique place in the human history, a member of the human race and never a divine being; she is also the Mother of all peoples. Her role has been described thus: "Mary consented in faith to become the Mother of Jesus. The constant tradition of the Church holds that Mary received the Word of God into her heart and her body at the angel's announcement and thereby brought Life to the world. She conceived in her heart, with her whole being, before she conceived in her womb. First came faith. Then her Motherhood." (Behold Your Mother. A Pastoral Letter on the Blessed Virgin Mary, US. 1973).
Since Mary is Mother of true God through whom everything lives, all generations of different ethnic groups and communities honor her irrespective of their religions.
Cultural Programs during the Feast
Every day after the Car Procession, there will be cultural items like musical concerts, Plays, Bharathanatyams, etc in an open auditorium near the Shrine itself. "Artists and other professionals from various fields deem it as a singular privilege to give performance in the Virgin's Land. Most of them also are deeply devoted to Our Lady here and come to fulfil their vows as gratitude.
Month of May-Another special Season of Grace
Vailankanni takes a festive look again in the Month of May, since this month is specially dedicated to Our Lady. Throughout the month, the pilgrims pour in from all parts of the Country and other countries to spend the time in Prayer. Every day there is car procession along with well-prepared prayers and songs around the Basilica Church. Rosary and the Litany adorn the procession. St. Philip Neri (1515-95) was so enlightened to realize that the secret of bringing the youth to salvation is to entice them towards something good and to keep them occupied with good things. He introduced public processions in honor of Our Lady throughout Italy. Wherever we see an increase of devotion to Mary, there also we notice a greater love for Jesus. The month of May has been set apart by the Church for special devotion to the Mother of God. It has recently been called the month of Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament also and has a feast in this title in May.
Further the devotion of this month originated in Italy towards the middle of the l8-century. It was Fr. Lalomia, a missionary, who first composed, in Italian, a little book on this devotion entitled The Month of Mary. or the Month of May (1866).
The Same Good Mother
Mother of Jesus is shown and prayed to under many different titles. Our Lady of Lourdes, Our Lady of Fatima, of Mt. Carmel, of Czestochowa, of Knock, of Loretto, of Syracuse, of La Salette, Beaurain, and hundreds more. We also call her as Our Lady of Perpetual help, of Sorrows, of Charity, of Grace, of the Rosary, Queen of the Apostles, etc. Mary is one, but she is also many things to many people. Her place-titles and other descriptive names show the ongoing story of love and affection of a mother and her children. By calling her by these titles the devotees bring Mary more intimately intotime and space, make her a person in one place or another just as she was a person in the village of Nazareth. The various titles give the pilgrims a feeling that she belongs to them and she is ready to lend her assistance. Marian titles do not destroy or distort Mary of the Gospels.
We gain better insight into Mary's appearance when we judge them in their historical context as acts of Providence, instead of classifying them according to mere theological criteria, although that also is very important. In ignoring completely these appearances, some loose sight of the multiple workings of Divine Providence. Divine manifestations change people, and the people change the world. Mary's apparition in Vailankanni happened when the Calvinists (The Dutch) persecuted the Catholics in Nagappattinam.
This may perhaps be the reason for the development and concentration on Vailankanni, which is another coastal village nearer to, at the same time out of the jurisdiction and port area of Nagappattinam.
Mary is completely a mother who loves the least of her children and works in harmony with the culture and mentality of the place and persons. She asked for Milk and Morn (a Tamil word for whey) which is a popular drink in South India even now.
William Carrigan, a Marian lecturer, expressed it eioquently in these words: "Shrines are Our Lady's workshops where she repairs broken bodies, mends torn hearts, and restores sin-scarred souls." vailankanni today is the living testimony of these processes. Wisdom, understanding, knowledge, counsel, fortitude, pity and fear of the Lord bring solutions to all human problems. Such gifts are the theme of all authentic Marian apparitions. In fact the very foundation of Christianity rests on the apparition of the Risen Lord.
Wherever we find a tabernacle erected fur Jesus or an altar for the offering of the Sacrifice of the Mass, there one will definitely find a niche carved for the Blessed Mother. The Church from earliest times has not separated Mary from Jesus. The Blessed Sacrament is the greatest of all the treasures in the Church. It is the source of practically all graces and the consolation of the faithful here on earth. As we thank Mary for giving us Jesus, we also thank Jesus for giving us the Eucharist. Pilgrims throughout the day can spend the time prayerfully in the presence of the Lord. There is also a special exposition in the upper Church from 7.30 am to 5 pm everyday.
In the Encyclical on the Holy Eucharist Mirae caritatis, (1902), Pope Leo teaches that the Holy Eucharist is in a certain way the continuation and extension of the Incarnation. Through it the substance of the Incarnate Word is joined to each man, and the supreme sacrifice of Calvary is renewed in an admirable manner, (MC, AL XXII, 122-123).
It may be also argued that Mary co-operated remotely in the institution of the Eucharist by consenting to the Incarnation. The Incarnation depended on her divine maternity, since the Eucharist depended on the Incarnation, it follows that the institution of the Eucharist depended 'on her divine maternity, on her consent. Moreover, since the sacrifice of the Mass is the same as that of the Cross, except the mode of offering, it may be said that Mary, who associated Herself with the sacrifice of the Cross-at Calvary is inseparably united with the sacrifice of the Mass. Mary took part in the painful expiation offered by Jesus for the sins of the World.,
People who come to this perpetual adoration greatly, benefit from this Sacrament of Unity. Every First Friday, there is Eucharistic Procession around the Shrine premises and this ends with preaching on the importance of this devotion and with benediction. There is also a vigil prayer service till 12pm in the Shrine, on every First Saturday.
Basilica in its New Phase and the Extension
In January 1961, a beautiful central altar delicately executed in spotless white marbles replaced the former altar made of cement concrete. The Marble altar adds exquisite splendor to the Shrine. The ancient porcelain plates and paintings have been carefully retained in their original splendors.
The necessity arose to expand the Shrine in order to meet the growing need of the Pilgrims. Enlarging the capacity of the Church for active participation in the Liturgy for the influx of various language-speaking pilgrims became imperative. The Shrine administration wished to provide places for Liturgical services for different language groups. This warranted a two-storied extended Basilica. Catholic Church is basically a cultic community. Worship is their identity. So in 1974-75 during the time of late Very Rev. Maria Soosai who is very well known for his generosity, the two story Church was blessed and consecrated by Rt.Rev.R.A. Sundaram the then bishop of Thanjavur. A devotee of Our Lady produced the Popular Tamil feature Film Annai Vailankanni . During this time and Fr. Maria Soosai who himself had a passion for music, released fascinating songs, in honor of Our Lady with captivating tones, with the help of professional and cine artists. The magnificent Church structure gives us a feeling that it is an addition to the Worders of the WorId today.
This attracts and elevates the people. Those who come here go, with a conviction that Mary is Mother, She is home, and She is safety. She is abundance. She is tranquility. She is the gate of Heaven and Hope of the people. Plans are made every year to establish new ways of rendering still more efficient the pastoral services to pilgrims.
There are regular buses from every town and major city to Vailankanni. Private buses also offer their service in connecting the States. The quality of these buses is comfortable and the rates are affordable. During the festivals special buses in hundreds are introduced for the conveniences of the pilgrims. Vailankanni is one of the most visited holy places in India. It is 8km from the InterState High Road which links Mysore and Nagapattinam.
For those who like train journey, links with other Junctions and Stations are possible from Nagappattinam, Thiruvarur and Thanjavur. The announcement in January 1999, in Trichy by the Railway minister Mr. Nitish kumar, regarding the extension of the Rail Link to Vailankanni makes thousand of Pilgrims happy. The unflinching courage and steadfast determination of the Parish Priest deserve encomiums by all. This is manifestly clear in wall notices, immediately after the announcements thanking the Parish Priest and the concerned Ministers.
The most recent timetable was published by Southern Railway in August 15, 1998. From Chennai Train No. 6155 and from Quilon T.N. 6162, from Trichirappalli T.N.6162 reach Nagappattinam and Nagore. There are number of other connecting links to Nagappatinam from Bangalore, Tiruchirappalli (Tris;hy) , Thanjavur (Tanjore), Karaikudi and etc.
Gone were the days when writers and people spoke of the distance to Vailankanni from other cities. Now, since Mary is the principle of Unity in the East, contrary to the experience of the West, Vailankanni also becomes a central place to calculate the distances from other major cities for easy identification.
Offerings to Our Lady
Totus Tuus "I am completely yours [0 Mary]" Note:5 (the consecration prayer of St. Louis de montfort) is the best offering one-can give to Our Lady. The real devotee of the Blessed Virgin is someone who makes the total surrender to Jesus as that of Our Lady herself. However it has been the customs in all the cultures and a religion to give to God a part of what God himself has given so that His love is told to all. The offering of the poor persons to their Mother melts anyone who sees that. Note:5 This is also the motto of our present Holy Father John Paul 11.
Museum of Offerings
Those who experienced the power of prayer in their lives or got what they had prayed for wish to give the offerings of gold, silver and other materials. They also want that this be told to other devotees too. This is the reason why the Shrine had to build a big Hall of Museum to display :he offerings. Periodically this is changed and the new ones are kept in the showcases. It is a moving experience if one goes through these halls of living testimony of God's providence through Mary.
The pilgrims who are unable to come personally send their offerings to the Parish Priest. A few resort to ingenious ways and pack their offerings in the hallow of piece of bamboo, seal the ends watertight, and through it in the Sea with the address of the Shrine carved on the sides. The shrine has displayed a few of them in the same Museum. In the museum there are four large portfolios containing reports, letters, declarations etc. of the people who experienced divine intervention in their lives. Even now such reports are regularly published in the Vailankanni Calling a journal in English specifically started for this purpose. There is also Vailankanni Curalloli a Tamil Journal for the same purpose.
Simony not in Vailankanni !
This is a deliberate intention and act of selling or buying spiritual goods for material things. It is a sacrilege, because it wrongfully puts a material price on spiritual things, which cannot be either sold or bought. The term is derived from the name of Simon Magus, who attempted to buy from Sts. Peter and John the power to confirm people in the Holy Spirit (Acts 8:4-24).
The Shrine administration is very alert not to allow such practices. The pilgrims are instructed to be aware of any such cheats, especially during festive occasions when people congregate in huge numbers. Very Rev Fr. Sammanasu apart from providing quarters for pilgrims also concentrated on the quality of liturgical services in the Shrine. Motivated by the 'signs of the time', he had brought out considerable number of audio and video and cassettes on Our Lady. Popular sermons and commentaries were also made available for the people in audiocassettes.
Patha Yathra in the 'Tirtha yatra'
Every religion, particularly Christianity envisions the people as on a journey. (1 Cor. 15,27., Rev. 21,6). A Christian pilgrimage, besides being a sign of the eschatological journey, must contain in itself a "turning away from" (Acts 3:26; Rom. 11,26) and turning to (Acts 3,19,14,15;) which is expressed by the word metanoia . Every pilgrimage is a metanoia, a turning away from all that is not God, and a turning to all that is good, holy and beautiful. Pilgrimages are back in vogue and we are entering a new era of religious fervor.
This devotion of praying with feet carries some laudable qualities and is shooting up almost like mushroom growths for various reasons. The one who walks to Vailankanni may have started alone or as a group. There are special seasons like the Lent, Month of May and September for this Patha yatra. Every road and byway is filled with people searching for the Mother. These pilgrims soon discover that they are participating in a flux, which has selected the same Shrine as their destiny. It is told that the pilgrim society does not make any social distinctions and so it becomes a communion of souls.
As in the case of mental prayers, several hardships and blessings, temptations and consolations will be awaiting in the way. Walking the distance with an intention of pilgrimage is definitely a grace giving act. This journey is preceded by a simple life style, a life of poverty and penance. Simple and plain clothes, claiming to be no person of importance and standing on the common level of the other vagrants they meet on the way. The devotees like those familiar with mental prayers and contemplation discover a whole new word of value is wisdom which is very different from the world they inherits through this act of faith. This discovery is possible also in other modes of sacred journeys.
At the same time the person who comes on foot, becomes a poor person, a person of hunger and thirst, very often worried about the shelter at evening and about the inclemency of the weather, in spite of many way side Mandapams provided by the Shrine of Vailankanni. The Shrine has built about six mandapams on the roadsides in six different places. Further there are many churches, which are on the way which people use on their journey. These pilgrims, especially those who walk from other States, become like "suffering servant" unable to speak the local languages. This forces them to become like children, namely to have total trust in God for whom they are braving this arduous journey by foot, there by experiences the hand of God during every moment of the pilgrimage. The sense of sin and reparation, restitution is cultivated during this sacred journey. All the agony at the various steps of this prayer turns into ecstasy at the end when they reach the courtyard of the main Shrine. While some of these practices are considered as expression of faith, the Shrine is on the look out to curb any expression of craziness like inflicting physical pain etc.
St. John Chrysostom had a burning desire for a pilgrimage to Rome. He writes, "If I were freed from my labors and by body were in sound health, I would eagerly make a pilgrimage merely to see the chains that had held him captive and the prison where he lay." He means the tomb of St. Paul whom he admires immensely. We can put the same words in the mouth of any ordinary person here in India who are very eager to visit this Sacred Land.
Accommodations a worry free Affair!
Vailankanni is a microcosm; all facilities are readily available here. Every year,additional lodges are added by the administration. The Parish Priest Very Rev. Fr. Arul Iruthayam together with the Bishop of the diocese, has a blueprint on the measures for a more rational management of the increasing pilgrim's influx. A perspective plan for the next 15 to 20 years had become imperative since the pilgrim infl<1w ranges from 2000 on lean days to whopping lakes on weekends and on national holidays.
The 5000 units of accommodation of all categories available here are insufficient for the devotees. They are forced to stay on the pavements and under the tree shades here. In March 1998 about one thousand trees were planted for converting the wasteland and for offering shades for the pilgrims. (See Hindu). Since this is cyclone prone area providing choultries and cottages, which may meet the rush substantially is not advocated. However Assisi quarters built at the time of Msgr. Thomas Vaz is a telling example of the Shrine's eagerness to make affordable accommodations for the poor.
Besides there are 14 halls each of which could easily house 2000 persons and 90 lodge owners with a capacity of another 5000 rooms in Vailankanni. Many also stay in Naggappattinam when rooms are filled here.
In spite of additional accommodations every year, the rush on weekends, holidays and festive occasions (excluding the September annual feast) more often causes stagnation of pilgrims in the reception hall putting a tremendous burden and stress on the infrastructure and on the administration.
To meet out such a rush, The Mega Mahal with an area of 44000-sq. ft. is completed within a year in the year 1998. The first floor will have rooms. This Mandapam can easily accommodate 30000 people at a time. This has also improved amenities and other toilet facilities at a stone's throw distance.
The population of Vailankanni (including the floating) is approximately 12000. Vailankanni has a post office, Banks, Police Station, Hospital, Dispensary, medical stores, orphanages for both sexes, homes for the aged. There is a Higher Secondary School, primary schools, tailoring institute, and a telephone exchange with ISD and FAX facilities. There is a good market where all commodities are available in plenty.
Bishop Gabriel while he was in service as the Parish Priest had a foresight and a long-range vision, in buying the vast area of land for the multifaceted development of the Shrine. Without these 187 acres in Vailankanni future development and offering facility for the devotees would have been nearly impossible. A splendid school building has been built to educate the children. The Former Prime Minister Rajive Ghandi opened this huge building in the year 1987.
In 1988 an operation theater became functional with lot of other modern facilities in the Shrine Hospital. New X-Ray unit and an Ambulance are for the service.
Preferential option for The Handicapped, the Poor, and the elderly
The Shrine administration, keeping in mind that Our Lady appeared to the physically handicapped in Vailankanni, has built a KARUNAI ILLAM for the handicapped children. In 1998 June, a High school for the handicapped children was started. In the same year another school for the mentally retarted and visually handicapped were started. Around 600 inmates are directly benefiting from the Shrine in Vailankanni itself. This apart the Bishop of Thannjvur uses the proceeds for another 42 orphanages in the diocese (in four districts). Further, Vailankanni Shrine supports through its Bishop and his participatory bodies of the diocese, the entire diocesan social and pastoral ministries. The Bon Secours nuns look after the elderly in the Aged Home. They also take care of the Arokia Illam, a shelter home for the,run-away girls.
The Sisters of Jesus manage this Karunai Illam and the attached schools. We also have a home managed by the Sisters of Mother Teresa (M.C.) for the mentally retarded children and old people.
Facility for Study and Research
Atmosphere for Retreat in Vailankanni
The Marian Institute by the name Arokia Niketan was founded in 1996 with the blessings o f Most Rev. P. Arokiaswamy, the second Bishop of Thanjavur for proyiding facility for study and research in the Shrine Milieu. The Institute offers every year many courses connected with Mary and Popular Devotion. Having eminent persons in the associate faculty and scholarship facilities for deserving candidates, are a few unique features of the Institute. It is heartening, for all, that Bishop Ambrose, who himself is a Scripture scholar, gives eager attention to the development of the Marian Institute. It is more than a mere coincidence, that this bishop was linked to the Institute even before his election to the episcopacy. With the encouragement of the Bishop, Fr. Arul Iruthayam over and above, offering other infrastructure facilities to the pilgrims, has completed a separate building for the Library and residence of the women students. Thanks to the constant support of the Bishops and the Rectors of the Shrine, the founder-director Rev. R. K. Samy has a rich collection of sufficient materials for study and research at the Library.
For further information regarding the diploma course and inquiries as to your need for research, please contact:-
The DirectorMarian Institute,
Vailankanni - 611 111,
What, Fr. Sammanasu had done in 1995, by putting up a huge Retreat House along with the buildings for Karunai Illam in the same year, in the Shrine vicinity is a great boon for everybody. The Vailankanni Matha retreat building has good facilities and proper ambience for prayer and retreat. This house has.90 bath attached individual rooms. It is a praiseworthy feature that the laity are also invited for weekend retreat with concession. Arrangements can be made with:
The DirectorVailankanni Matha Retreat House
Vailankanni - 611 111
|Quality Inn(MGM group)||263900|
|Hotel Golden sand||263246,263626|
|Hotel sea gate||263910|
|Little flower pilgrimage quarters||263512|
|St. Joseph pilgrimage quarters||263512|
|Railway Retiring rooms|
|Season||Throughout the year|
|Language spoken||Tamil and English|
|Church Office, Vailankanni||263423|
|Chief Priest, Vailankanni||263530|
|Bus Enquiry, Vailankanni||263467|
|Post Office, Vailankanni||263430|
|Police Station, Vailankanni||263100|
|Indian Overseas Bank, Vailankanni||263422|
|Executive Office, Town Panchayat||263448|
- Nearest air port, Tiruchirappali  kms
- Nearest railway station: Vailankanni
Nagapattinam 12kms Connected to all major cities in South India via Chennai, Tiruchirappalli, Thanjavur, and Kollam.
- Connected to all major towns and cities Regular bus services available to Chennai, Madurai, Tiruchi, Kannyakumari, Thanjavur, Pondichery, etc.,
Places of Worship
- Sivan temple Mariamman temple near arch
- Mosque at Muslim street
- Our lady of good health church
- Poompuhar Show room near the church
- Primary health Centre near bus stand
- Punitha Arogya Matha health centre,run by the church
- Punitha Arogya matha hospital, Main road, phone 264409
- Post/Telegraph/Std/ISD/Telex/Courier facilities available.
- Theatres available
- Local library at Anna pillai street/ Photo studio available
- Book stall
- Annai book sales centres
- Arokkaiyamatha Festival during August-September
- Christmas Festival December 25th
- New year festival January 1st


Of all the things you don't know about Pope Benedict XVI, the only secret you'll find out without storming the Vatican Archives may be this: He's a goddamn helicopter pilot! According to Catholic lore, the ex-Holy Father got his license after accidentally praying to St. Gyroscope during a wine bender with Igor Sikorsky at his summer place at Castel Gandolfo. True.
Actually, the 85-year-old PBXVI is a fully-licensed pilot who's been known to buzz St. Peter's Basilica in small aircraft, scaring the nuns (not really), though doesn't have a driver's license.
No doubt Captain Pope's flights are among the safest in existence. Still, Catholic saints have been quite active in aviation, with a few such patrons charged with keeping jurisdiction over the skies, according to Eric Chandler, of General Aviation News:
It turns out there are actually three patron saints of aviation: St. Thérèse, St. Joseph of Cupertino and Our Lady of Loreto. The latter two were a lot easier to figure out.
[Saint Thérèse] was a French woman from Lisieux who became a Carmelite nun at the age of 15 and died young from tuberculosis. She was known as the “Little Flower” and canonized very soon after her death.
She describes herself as a “little bird” in her autobiography and she’s also the patron saint of the missions. In the early 20th century, flying would’ve been one of the ways missionaries traveled to the far-flung outposts of the church. Maybe that’s the reason.
St. Joseph was an Italian Franciscan priest who lived in the 17th century. He levitated. Poking him with pins and burning embers wouldn’t stop his soaring. “The Flying Friar” would only land when his superiors ordered him down. Like a lot of pilots, he was very dedicated to flight. Okay, St. Joseph, I understand why Pope Clement XIII gave you the nod in 1767.
Our Lady of Loreto also makes a good aviation saint. There is a humble house in the Italian city of Loreto that’s enclosed inside a cathedral. This house is supposed to be where the Annunciation occurred when the angel Gabriel told Mary she would bear the son of God. Angels reputedly carried this house from the Holy Lands through the air to Italy in 1294. All of these events, combined with some good lobbying by the Italian Air Force, made her a shoo-in to be the patron saint of air travelers by order of Pope Benedict XV in 1920.
Next time you're in crazy turbulence over the South China Sea, give those three a shout.


The Feast of Christ the King is a grand religious celebration in the Christian faith. As the name implies, it’s a day set aside to honor the sovereignty of Jesus Christ, the king of the universe, and to recognize his place as the supreme ruler of all things. This feast is an opportunity for Christians around the world to celebrate the majesty, power, and glory of God’s kingdom on earth. Established by Pope Pius XI in 1925, the Feast of Christ the King is a response to the rising secularism and nationalism that threatened to overshadow the Christian faith in the early 20th century.
Let’s dive deeper into the celebration of the Feast of Christ the King and explore what it signifies.
The Feast of Christ the King is a reminder to Christians everywhere that Christ is the only true king. This celebration acknowledges that all earthly powers and rulers will ultimately be subject to his authority. This recognition is significant because it challenges believers to put their trust in the almighty God, no matter what happens in life. Through prayer and worship, we can solidify our faith in Christ and express our gratitude for his sacrifice on the cross.
The annual celebration of the Feast of Christ the King usually occurs on the final Sunday of the liturgical year, just before the start of Advent. During the celebration, Christians attend mass, receive communion, and listen to readings specific to the feast. The mass itself is a glorious and joyful experience, singing and praising the power of God. It is not unusual for churches to have festive processions, where worshippers march through the streets and display images of Jesus and other saints.
The Feast of Christ the King has significance in different parts of the world. In Spain and Italy, for example, it is customary to create colorful altars to commemorate the event. In other regions, community feasts are held, where people come together to share food and drink, strengthening bonds of fellowship and friendship.
The Feast of Christ the King has profound sociopolitical implications. It counters the secularization and nationalism that tend to strip religion of its significance and reduces it to just another political ideology. This celebration underscores the preeminence of the kingdom of God over all earthly kingdoms and reminds the faithful that our ultimate allegiance is to Christ, not to any human authority.
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If you've met Jesus, you've got a story to share. Stories are about change, and Jesus is all about changing lives.
It's easy to get overwhelmed by the idea of sharing your story. Perhaps you've told yourself "it's not exciting enough" or "it's too complicated." The truth is sharing your story is as simple as telling people what God has done for you. That was the approach the apostle Paul used. In Acts 22 and Acts 26, Paul told his story in about 500 words — 2 to 3 minutes at normal speaking pace.
With a little preparation, your story can be a powerful way to give God the praise He deserves and to help others draw closer to Him.


Slovenia (Great Lakes)
Slovenia is a country of great contrast. On the surface, it is one of the most beautiful places in the world. The Alps are all around the city of Ljubljana and the Adriatic Sea is only an hour away. However, in the hearts and souls of men and women it is very different. Slovenia is a spiritual desert. Most Slovenes no longer believe in God and the story of redemption through Jesus Christ has been lost.
Over the course of the project, you will receive great training and experience in evangelism, apologetics and Bible study methods. You will grow deep in your relationship with God, build close friendships, and make an eternal impact in the lives of people who have never heard the gospel.
Come with us this summer as we make the name of Jesus famous in Slovenia!
For questions: Contact the director at Jordan.Browning@cru.org or Melissa.Venema@cru.org


Hitler's successes as Nazi dictator have given way to a number of occult theories. One of the most common of these is the story of the Spear of Destiny. Also called the Holy Lance, this spear is the name given to the lance that supposedly pierced Jesus's side as he hung on the cross in John's account of his death. Legend has it that whoever possesses the lance will rule the world.
The lance is mentioned only in the Gospel of John (19:3137) and not in any of the Synoptic Gospels. The gospel states that the Romans planned to break Jesus' legs, a practice known as crurifragium, which was a method of hastening death during a crucifixion. Just before they did so, they realized that Jesus was already dead and that there was no reason to break his legs. To make sure that he was dead, a Roman centurion named in extra-Biblical tradition as Longinus stabbed him in the side.
The phenomenon of blood and water was considered a miracle by Origen (although the water may be explained biologically by the piercing of the pericardial sinus secondary to cardiac tamponade.) Catholics generally choose to employ a more allegorical interpretation: it represents the Church (and more specifically, the sacraments of Baptism and the Eucharist) issuing from the side of Christ, just as Eve was taken from the side of Adam.
One of the earliest mentions of a relic preserved as the Holy Lance is in the account of the pilgrim Antoninus of Piacenza, about 570, who described the holy places of Jerusalem, where he saw in the basilica of Mount Zion "the crown of thorns with which Our Lord was crowned and the lance with which he was struck in the side".
According to the Catholic Encyclopedia, the presence in Jerusalem of this relic is attested half a century earlier by Cassiodorus and was known to Gregory of Tours.
In 615 Jerusalem was captured for the Persian King Khosrau II; according to the Chronicon Paschale, the iron point of the lance, which had been broken off, was given in the same year to Nicetas, who took it to Constantinople and deposited it in the church of Hagia Sophia.
This lance-point, embedded in an icon, was obtained in 1244 from the Latin emperor at Constantinople, Baldwin II, by Louis IX of France, who enshrined it with his relic of the Crown of Thorns in the Sainte Chapelle, Paris. During the French Revolution these relics were removed to the Bibliotheque Nationale and then disappeared.
The name of the soldier who pierced Christ's side is not given in the Gospel of John, but in the oldest known references to the legend, the apocryphal Gospel of Nicodemus appended to late manuscripts of the 4th century Acts of Pilate. The soldier is identified as a Centurion and called Logginus or Longinus (making the spear's "correct" Latin name Lancea Longini).
A form of the name Longinus also occurs on a miniature in the Rabula Gospels (conserved in the Laurentian Library, Florence, which was illuminated by one Rabulas in the year 586. In the miniature, the name LOGINOS is written in Greek characters above the head of the soldier who is thrusting his lance into Christ's side. This is one of the earliest records of the name, if the inscription is not a later addition.
Another "Longinus" is credited with the authorship of the treatise On the Sublime. Roman names held little variety, especially among members of the same family.
Various Relics Claimed to be the Holy Lance
There have been many relics that are claimed to be the Holy Lance, or parts of it.
No actual lance is known until the pilgrim Antoninus of Piacenza (AD/Crystalinks/Conspiracies html/speardestiny.html 570), describing the holy places of Jerusalem, says that he saw in the Basilica of Mount Zion "the crown of thorns with which Our Lord was crowned and the lance with which He was struck in the side". A mention of the lance also occurs in the so-called Breviarius at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. The presence in Jerusalem of this important relic is attested by Cassiodorus (c. 485 - c. 585) as well as by Gregory of Tours (c. 538 594), who had not actually been to Jerusalem.
In 615 Jerusalem and its relics were captured by the Persian forces of King Khosrau II (Chosroes II). According to the Chronicon Paschale, the point of the lance, which had been broken off, was given in the same year to Nicetas, who took it to Constantinople and deposited it in the church of Hagia Sophia, and later to the Church of the Virgin of the Pharos.
This point of the lance, which was now set in an icon, was sold in 1244 by Baldwin II of Constantinople to Louis IX of France, and it was enshrined with the Crown of Thorns in the Sainte Chapelle in Paris. During the French Revolution these relics were removed to the Bibliothèque Nationale but subsequently disappeared. (The present "Crown of Thorns" is a wreath of rushes.)
As for the larger portion of the lance, Arculpus claimed he saw it at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre around 670 in Jerusalem, but there is otherwise no mention of it after the sack in 615. Some claim that the larger relic had been conveyed to Constantinople sometime during the 8th century, possibly at the same time as the Crown of Thorns. At any rate, its presence at Constantinople seems to be clearly attested by various pilgrims, particularly Russians, and, though it was deposited in various churches in succession, it seems possible to trace it and distinguish it from the relic of the point. Sir John Mandeville declared in 1357 that he had seen the blade of the Holy Lance both at Paris and at Constantinople, and that the latter was a much larger relic than the former.
Whatever the Constantinople relic was, it fell into the hands of the Turks, and in 1492, under circumstances minutely described in Pastor's History of the Popes, the Sultan Bayazid II sent it to Innocent VIII to encourage the pope to continue to keep his brother and rival Zizim (Cem) prisoner. At this time great doubts as to its authenticity were felt at Rome, as Johann Burchard records, because of the presence of other rival lances in Paris (the point that had been separated from the lance), Nuremberg (see "Vienna lance" below), and Armenia.
In the mid 1700s Benedict XIV states that he obtained from Paris an exact drawing of the point of the lance, and that in comparing it with the larger relic in St. Peter's he was satisfied that the two had originally formed one blade. This relic has never since left Rome, where it is preserved under the dome of Saint Peter's Basilica, although the Roman Catholic Church makes no claim as to its authenticity.
The lance currently in Echmiadzin, Armenia, was discovered during the First Crusade. In 1098 the crusader Peter Bartholomew reported that he had a vision in which St. Andrew told him that the Holy Lance was buried in St. Peter's Cathedral in Antioch


God is good, always.
The one phrase that I end up jotting down in my journal every time I hear it, is “God is good.” I think a common misconception is that God punishes people. I used to believe that when something bad happened to me it was because I had done something wrong in God’s eyes or I would often get very angry with Him whenever something bad happened to me “without cause.” The thing is, God is only always good. If there is ever a bad thought that crosses your mind, it is not from God. If there’s one thing


4 edition of The Jesuits In Great Britain found in the catalog.
January 17, 2007
by Kessinger Publishing, LLC
Written in English
|The Physical Object|
|Number of Pages||372|
I. Records of the English Benedictine nuns at Cambrai (now Stanbrook) II. Two lists of supposed adherents of Mary Queen of Scots, and Pages: The Society of Jesus in Ireland, Scotland, and England, “Lest Our Lamp be Entirely Extinguished” (Brill Academic Publishers, ) is his fourth book about the Jesuits working in Great Britain and Ireland when the young order was expanding rapidly, establishing schools all over Europe and elsewhere, while also undergoing what Author: Chris Gosier.
The following is the text of the Jesuit Extreme Oath of Induction as recorded in the Journals of the 62nd Congress, 3rd Session, of the United States Congressional Record (House Calendar No. , Report No. , 15 February, , pp. ), from which it was subsequently torn Oath is also quoted by Charles Didier in his book Subterranean Rome (New York, ), . The Jesuits and England On Septem Pope Paul III approved the formation of the Society of Jesus. Founded by St. Ignatius of Loyola, the Society would have a great impact on post-Reformation England. Many of the English martyrs mentioned on this blog were Jesuits, including most famously St. Edmund Campion and St. Robert Southworth.
The Society of Jesus, or the Jesuits, with their Sun Worship logo, operate in the highest echelons of the Jesuit Illuminati, or rather their leaders do. It is the Jesuit leadership that controls the Knights of Malta, Knights Templar, Knights of Columbus in the USA, and works closely with another secret order of the Roman Church, Opus Dei, which was created by the Jesuits. Filed under: Jesuits -- Great Britain -- Controversial literature -- Early works to The Foot Out of the Snare: With a Detection of Sundry Late Practices and Impostures of the Priests and Jesuits in England;.
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The Jesuits In Great Britain: An Historical Inquiry Into Their Political Influence [Walsh, Walter] on *FREE* shipping on qualifying offers. The Jesuits In Great Britain: An Historical Inquiry Into Their Political Influence 5/5(1).
To read this book is to be challenged to look beyond any narrow sense of who God is, to discover Him in and beyond all things. The First Jesuits. The First Jesuits by Fr. John O’Malley SJ is an exploration of the early history of the Society of Jesus.
It is an inspiring account of how Ignatius and The Jesuits In Great Britain book early companions sought to ‘help souls’. Jesuits in Britain, London, United Kingdom. K likes. The Jesuits, also known as the Society of Jesus, are an international religious order of men within the Catholic Church.
Jesuits take vows of /5(25). At the latest Good Books event at the London Jesuit Centre, journalist Austen Ivereigh gave a scintillating talk about his new book Wounded Shepherd: Pope Francis and His Struggle to Convert the Catholic Church. In the book, Austen argues that Francis (the first Jesuit pope) is leading the Church in a new direction via a process of discernment.
Get this from a library. Revolution and war, the secret conspiracy of the Jesuits in Great Britain. [Mary Francis Cusack]. Jesuit, member of the Society of Jesus, a Roman Catholic order of religious men founded by St.
Ignatius of Loyola and noted for its educational, missionary, and charitable works. Once regarded by many as the principal agent of the Counter-Reformation, the Jesuits were.
The Society of Jesus (SJ; Latin: Societas Iesu) is a religious order of the Catholic Church headquartered in was founded by Ignatius of Loyola with the approval of Pope Paul III in The members are called Jesuits (Latin: Iesuitæ). The society is engaged in evangelization and apostolic ministry in nations.
Jesuits work in education, research, and cultural d at: Paris, France, officialized in Rome. The Jesuits in Great Britain an historical inquiry into their political influence [Walter Walsh] on *FREE* shipping on qualifying offers.
This is a pre historical reproduction that was curated for quality. Quality assurance was conducted on each of these books in an attempt to remove books with imperfections introduced by the digitization process.
Additional Physical Format: Online version: Walsh, Walter, Jesuits in Great Britain. London, G. Routledge & Sons, Ltd; New York, E.P. Dutton & Co., Institutions.
The outcome of the Manchester case did not, of course, affect the colleges that the Jesuits had already established, nor prevent them from establishing new foundations when they had the bishop’s permission to do so, and the history of the post-restoration Society of Jesus in Great Britain is, in many ways, the history of its engagement with these : von Arx, P Jeffrey.
Thinking Faith is the online journal of the Jesuits in Britain. Explore our website to find articles and reviews which will help you think about your faith and think, through your faith, about the. Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for The Jesuits in Great Britain an Historical Inquiry into Their Political Influence by Walter Walsh (Trade Cloth) at the best online prices at eBay.
Free shipping for many products. By the English Jesuits had opened nine schools for boys, thirty large city parishes and missions in Latin America and Central and South Africa. The war ended the era of expansion but, between the wars the schools, parishes and other work were consolidated, while Heythrop College and the new Campion Hall in Oxford were established.
The book is beautifully produced, with fine illustrations of both the foods prepared and the associated saints. It is fitting that the authors are contributing all profits made to support the Jesuit Refugee Service, which works to offer to those who have most need of it the sort of hospitality that these kind of saintly feasts represent.
The Jesuits also ran several charitable organizations, such as one for former prostitutes and one for converted Jews.
When Ignatius de Loyola died in. Jesuits in Britain Annual Review The Jesuits are an international religious order of men (the Society of Jesus) within the Catholic Church.
The Order was established in by St Ignatius of. Doing great things for God This was a theme developed further by the Provincial of the Jesuits in Britain when, on the eve of the election, he urged the man who 4 Jesuits & Friends Winter Full text of "The Jesuits in Great Britain; an historical inquiry into their political influence" See other formats.
5 Deadly Spanish Inquisition Jesuits!. Each one of the following deadly Jesuits was born and lived all their lives in Great Britain. The Spanish Inquisition loves to use Protestant countries as surrogotes or pawns in order to cenceal her real identity!.
InJoseph P. Kennedy—the grandson of the founder— was appointed U.S. ambassador to Great Britain!. One would think that this would be the LAST PLACE on earth for a Kennedy to end up but all this was a cunning Jesuit strategy to place a member of the Church of Rome at the very pinnacle of the British royal family.
Introduction: English Mission to English Province 1. The Jesuit mission to England was launched from Rome in Apriland by July of the same year, Edmund Campion (–81) and Robert Persons (–) had left Calais, landed on England’s coastline and begun their missionary work to the hidden Catholic community.
2 The men arrived separately to avoid detection: Persons on June A call to action RE: "Jesuits are Jews" and the like This is an urging to the readers of this subreddit to go to youtube videos and other conspiracy boards and websites to combat wherever it is seen, the ridiculous neo-nazi lie that the Jesuits are Jews, the Jews created.
The NOOK Book (eBook) of the The Jesuits: Book 15 by James Aitken Wylie at Barnes & Noble. FREE Shipping on $35 or more! Due to COVID, orders may be delayed. This great work begins with the first century A.D. and follows through to the Glorious Revolution in Great Britain in Though Wylie was a Presbyterian minister, this collection Author: James Aitken Wylie.


This is exactly how Jesus sees us... unblemished and perfect.
How does He do that? Why does He do that?
In the past couple of years I've really tried to wrap my mind around this mystery.
How does He love like that?
Even with the enormous amount of love and compassion I feel as your mom,
even with that, I struggle.
I still have that silly preference for a clean face...brushed hair... cute outfit...
This shows that even with one of the strongest loves in the world, it does not compare to His love for us... to His love for you.
This world will desperately try to leave its mark on us, whether its good or bad.
However in its end it will hold no comparison to what will be our new beginning.
We will come to Him as dirty as this world can make us. He will forgive, mead, clean us up, and He will still see us totally unblemished and perfect... as only He can.
We are love by Him~ today this beautiful Sunday and ALWAYS