Tamil Nadu   

St. Francis Xavier's footprints across the country

Preachers of Christianity came, saw and conquered the minds of people in Kanyakumari district. It is evident from the fact that St. Francis Xavier, who dedicated his entire life for the growth of Christianity in the southern district of the State.

St. Francis Xavier's Cathedral at Kottar, which is popularly known as `Savariyar kovil' by the local people, is considered the "first church" in the world to be dedicated to the missionary.

In the year 1544, a small church was built by St. Francis Xavier with the help of the then Travancore king. During the year1603, the church was modified and rebuilt by Swamy Andreas Puchario from Italy with mud and wood.

As the people extended a helping hand to Andreas Puchario for helping the poor and downtrodden, he was known as "Ketta varam tharum Kottar Savariyar."

In the year 1713, the church was expanded and it was built with stones. In the year 1806, an engineer from Kolkata built a wooden altar with artisitic works on it.

And in 1865, the church was expanded. By May 26, 1930 it was announced as the Parish Church.

History

St. Francis Xavier was born in a royal family on April 7, 1506 in Spain and he was the fifth and last child to his parents. He was called in the name, Francisco.

Since his family name was Xavier, he was called as Francis Xavier as well. In the year 1515, his father died when he was nine years old. Francis Xavier was interested in preaching. He did his higher studies in "The University of Paris" and his family members expected that after finishing his studies he would return home, but he took to preaching Christianity.

During his studies he got friends with another student Peter Baber from Italy. With his help, he learned Latin. Another of his friend was Inigo called as Ignatius of Loyola. Under the leadership of Ignatius, seven students from Parparak College spread out to preach Christianity.

One among them was Francis Xavier and these seven were the founders of the group, Jesuits.

Francis Xavier was awarded the title of priest in the year 1537. In the year 1541, he started his journey from Spain to India.

En route, he stayed in Africa with Saint Thomas for some days and finally reached Goa in the year 1542.

There he met patients, prisoners and poor people. In the same year he travelled to Manappadu near Tiruchendur in south Tamil Nadu and started preaching there.

During that time, he used to visit Kottar in nearby Kanyakumari district.

During that time, he helped the Travancore king in defeating a Pandya king. As a reward in return, the king facilitated Francis Xavier in his missionary activities. Hence Kottar became a centre for Francis Xavier's missionary service.

In 1552, he went to Kochi and again to Goa. From there, he wanted to move on to China. On his way to China on sea, he fell ill and on December 3, he breathed his last on a small island.

Later his body was shipped to Goa where it is kept to this day.

P.S. Suresh Kumar

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