Our Lady of Lourdes Church, Kanajar

Coordinates: 13°16′20.4″N 74°53′45.5″E / 13.272333°N 74.895972°E / 13.272333; 74.895972

Our Lady of Lourdes Church, Kanajar

Our Lady of Lourdes Church, Kanajar
Our Lady of Lourdes Church, Kanajar
13°16′20″N 74°53′46″E / 13.272323°N 74.895983°E / 13.272323; 74.895983
Denomination Roman Catholic (Latin rite)
Website lourdes.kanajar.com
History
Founded July 24, 1938[1]
Founder(s) Rev. Fr. William Antony Lewis[1]
Administration
Deanery Karkala - St Philip Deanery
Archdiocese Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Bangalore
Diocese Roman Catholic Diocese of Udupi
Province Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Bangalore
District Udupi District
Clergy
Archbishop Most Rev. Bernard Blasius Moras
Bishop(s) Rev. Aloysius Paul DSouza
Vicar(s) Fr. Alexander Lewis

The Our Lady of Lourdes Church is a historic Roman Catholic Church situated at Kanajar near Karkala. The church was built in 1938.[1] This church comes under Deanery of Karkala, Roman Catholic Diocese of Udupi. This church is dedicated to Our Lady of Lourdes.

History

Before 1930, faithfulls residing at Kanajar as well from the surrounding villages Ninjoor, Palli, Kowdoor and Bailoor had to travel to the distant parishes of Attur Church or Moodubelle for their spiritual needs. Bearing this in mind, Rev. Fr. Cashmere Fernandes, the priest at Moodubelle parish, thought of establishing a parish in this area. Inspired by him, his assistant vicar Rev. Fr. William Antony Lewis took over the responsibility of the project. At the time, the villages of Kowdoor and Bailoor were affiliated to Attur Church, while the villages of Kanajar, Ninjoor and Palli were affiliated to Moodubelle parish. It was a daunting task at that time, to build a Christian organization amongst the other population. Fr. Lewis had chosen sites near Ninjoor as well near Palli. But when people came to know about the purpose, the other religious people set back from selling the land. But finally he managed to get a site near a place called "Madmalkal", which means Bride's Rock. The land measured 4 1/2 acre and was purchased from Das Hegde for an amount of Rs.240 in the year 1932. The amount was raised during the Confraternity feast of Moodubelle parish.[1]

A well was dug and cemetery was formed on the land during this time. Rev. Fr. Salvadore D'Souza, the then vicar of Attur parish, suggested that the parish be devoted to Lady of Lourdes, which was subsequently sanctioned by Rev. Bishop Victor Rosario Fernandes. This is how the Lady of Lourdes became the patron of our parish.

In the year 1933 a shelter was built by Fr. William Lewis. It was built out of wooden pillars and thatched roof. Every Sundays Fr. Lewis use to come from Hangarakatte, by walking, for performing the mass here. The first mass was performed on April 25, 1933. In the weekdays the structure was used for the primary schooling of the children. On 24 April 1934,the parish feast was celebrated for the first time in the history. Rev. Fr. Julian D'Souza presided over the mass, while the sermon was given by Fr. Denis Lewis. In the subsequent years, in the month of October, a caucus used to take place for the discussions on the parish feast and to decide its precentor. As the expense of luncheon for the priests attending the feast, ten families from each ward had to owe 8 annas. At the time the annual due towards the church was 1 rupee.[1]

After two years, Fr. Lewis thought of building a chapel and the house for priest. A caucus was held, which was attended by the heads of several families. People promised full support for the cause. On February 25, 1934, the foundation stone was laid and was blessed by Rev.Bishop.[1]

Demographics

The parish has 395 families with a population of 1117 members.[2]

Significance

Madmalkal, or the Bride's Rock, has its own legend. In olden days, if a bride prayed at the rock by offering flowers to it, the next day she would get enough jewelry at the rock for her wedding. With the wedding over, the jewelry had to be returned to the rock. But once a selfish lady had kept a trinket for herself from the jewelry while returning it back to the rock. So the miracle ceased to happen from that day. Also the legend has it that a big seven headed shining serpent used to appear around the rock during nights. To overcome this blind belief, Fr. William Lewis built a cross over this rock in the year 1932.[1]

In the year 1958, on the occasion of the centennial celebrations of the apparition of Lady Lourdes, our church was declared as a pilgrimage center.[1]

Current Structure

In the year 1943, foundation stone for the new church was laid and blessed by most Rev. V R Fernandes. Stone masons who hailed from Coimbatore built the belfry. The altar was constructed at Jeppu workshop. During the construction, Rev. Fr. Buthelo from Belman used to visit here and give his advice. The construction of the strong building was completed within the time period of five years. On April 26, 1948, the church was inaugurated and was blessed by the most reverend bishop. The altar was consecrated on the next day. Grand celebration of the titular feast took place on every 11 February, in the subsequent years.[1]

Administration

See also

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 "Our Lady of Lourdes Church, Kanajar". lourdes.kanajar.com.
  2. ↑ "KANAJAR". udupidiocese.in.
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