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A place with tranquil atmosphere

Lourdes Shrine stands gracefully tall

PHOTO: S. JAMES

IMPOSING Age-old structure

Amidst the chaotic traffic that make every commuter panic on Pudur Road, the Lourdes Church stands tall.

It is a place where people can get away from madding crowd and pray in solitude.

History

The history of the church dates back to 1920 when (Society of Jesus-SJ) Jesuits built the chapel to cater to the spiritual needs of the then tiny Catholic Community.

"It started with 20 family members," says Parish Priest, Fr. Anthony Samy.

Fr. Endaline SJ dedicated it to the Lady of Lourdes and Jesuits served the laity till the late 60s. A primary school was started with the arrival of the `Sisters of Immaculate Conception.' Now, the church owns and maintains higher educational technical institute and a middle school.

In 1931, under the initiative of Fr. Gabrial Gomez SJ, the church was expanded. He even bought Burma teakwood to erect the altar that still continues to be a proud possession of the shrine.

Canonical creation

The canonical creation of the K. Pudur Parish in 1951 as the Parish of `Our Lady of Lourdes' stretched its jurisdiction from Panagal Road to Alagarkoil. Fr. M.T. Amalraj SJ, who took charge as the first Parish Priest, involved himself in church extension work to accommodate the ever-growing population. Fr. Amalraj constructed three towers and completed in 1958 symbolising that "we humans should ascend ourselves to reach the almighty," says Fr. Anthony Samy..

In 1960, the church was elevated as the Cathedral Church. In 1967, Fr. Justin Diravium was enthroned as Arch Bishop of Madurai at this church. The then Vicar General Fr. F. Irudayam was appointed as Parish Priest. "It was yet another proud moment for the shrine," recalls Fr. Anthony Samy.

In 1970, the Cathedral status to Lourdes Shrine was withdrawn, citing the reasons of its location, which was then away from the heart of the city.

In 1975, as part of the silver jubilee celebrations, Grotto of Mary was installed. Fr. Anthony Samy says that the story of the shrine begins in 1858 in Lourdes, France. The Virgin Mary, according to the Catholic faith, appeared several times before a village girl named Bernadette, stating "I am the Immaculate Conception."

The miracle occurred in a grotto, upon a rock.

A stone from the grotto at Lourdes in France was brought to the church.

In 1975, at an invitation of Arch Bishop, the Salesians of Don Bosco took over the reigns of the parish. The Salesians are engaged in serving the youth with their educational institutions and other youth welfare activities.

With the intervention of Salesians of Don Bosco, a festival symbolising unity among people of various religions is organised every year in February. People cutting across religious lines participate in the car procession and `pongal vizha' and seek the blessings of Our Lady.

S.S.KAVITHA

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