Our Lady of Ransom Church, Kanyakumari
| Our Lady of Ransom Church | |
|---|---|
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| 8°05′08″N 77°33′08″E / 8.085558°N 77.552356°ECoordinates: 8°05′08″N 77°33′08″E / 8.085558°N 77.552356°E | |
| Country | India |
| Denomination | Catholic Church |
| Website | http://www.ransomchurchkanyakumari.org/ |
| Architecture | |
| Architect(s) | Pakiam Pillai |
| Style | Gothic Revival |
| Clergy | |
| Priest(s) | Nazrain |
Our Lady of Ransom Church is a Catholic church located at Kanyakumari, Tamil Nadu, India.
Location
Kanniyakumari village is situated in the District of Kanniyakumari which is the southernmost part of the Indian subcontinent. the place is also referred as the lands end. The Kanniyakumari Parish almost coincides with the civil village of Kanniyakumari. It is closely associated with the mainstream Catholic faith in India. According to census 2011, the Kanniyakumari district comprising 48.74% of Christians in Tamil Nadu.
History
There were archeological evidences suggesting that St. Thomas, one of the twelve disciples of Jesus Christ visited this soil. It was believed that the Christianity faith have been introduced in 52AD at Kanniyakumari District, Tamil Nadu by St.Thomas, the Apostle, one of the Apostles of Jesus Christ who landed in Malabar Coast (modern day Kerala) in AD 52.
The tomb stones unearthed at Kumari Muttom, near Kanniyakumari contain evidences to show that Catholics were living there for many centuries. The tomb stones dated 1496 contain the edict of the local ruler granting tax exemptions to the residents of Kumari Muttom and authorizing levy of a cess from the fishermen in Kumari Muttom.The aggregate income thus generated had to be used to keep the lights of the church burning.
In 1542 when St. Francis Xavier came to Cape Comerin (Kanniyakumari) he was delighted to find ‘Our Lady of Delights Grotto’, at Kanniyakumari. Then it became a center for mission activities of the Jesuits from Thoothoor to Ramanathapuram.
It is believed that Our Lady of Delights Grotto, in which St. Francis Xavier worshiped, later became the church of Our Lady of Ransom. Our Lady of Ransom is the Patron of the congregation in Spain which redeemed the Christians from the Muslim invasion in the year 1218. The people of Kanniyakumari were delighted to combine the name Ransom with Delight and call their patron as Alangara Upakara Matha. The wooden alter elegantly depicts the artistic Roman Art.
Old church of 18th century
A small thatched church was upgraded in to a big church of roman architecture was constructed on 1700 AD. A gorgeous statue of Mother Mary of made during 16th century derived from Rome to Kanniyakumari. An exquisite golden altar is developed and the gorgeous statue of Mother Mary was placed in the centre of the altar and worshipped by the name of Alangara matha. The statue of St. Joseph and St. Francis Xavier were placed in the right side and left side respectively. Beautiful wooden carvings which depicts the coronation of Mary as queen of heaven and earth by the holy father and the Son of Jesus Christ was shown in the upper part of the altar is magnificent and conspicuous as a whole. Intricately carved depictions of angels playing the musical instruments like violin, flute and drums in the upper and side adorn the altar. Jesus Christ invite his disciples for ministries and forgive Mary Magdalene were depicted in the side of the altar. Cardinals, pope and the soldiers having foliage in their hand are beautifully depicted. The carvings of 12 disciples of Jesus Christ are gorgeous and attractive creature in the altar. A lamb laying on the holy bible is depicted in the lower portion of the altar. The old church were, the altar gives you a pleasure feeling by its golden colour and glittering effect made in the 18th century still remains its beauty. The old church remains part and parcel of the new church.
History of the Flag Mast
In 1917 a foreign merchant ship got struck to
the sand shore of Leepuram, Kanniyakumari. The strenuous efforts of the crew and other experts to restore it did not help them. Hence they decided to abandon the ship and went in for an auction.
One Mr. Kayathan Villavarayan a merchant from Tuticorin paid the highest bid and assumed the ownership of the abandoned ship. He had donated the iron mast to Our Lady of Ransom Church, Kanniyakumari. The kattumarams of Kanniyakumari were brought to Leepuram to take the mast to Kanniyakumari.
Miracle of Mother Mary
As soon as the mast was loaded on the kattumarams, the mast together with the kattaumarams sunk into the sea water. After a few minutes, the kattumarams and the mast began to float. The bye standers were astonished to see the grace of Our Lady of Ransom. Then they took the mast to Kanniyakumari by road. When the mast was taken to the church yard, another major difficulty was faced regarding the erection of the mast. They consulted the experts and engineers and came to the decision of inserting it into a hole cut out of a large stone. The stone cutters were approached and they searched for such a huge stone that could serve this particular purpose. In spite of rigorous search, they could not find out any suitable stone. It is believed that Our Lady of Ransom appeared to a stone cutter in dream and indicated the location of a suitable stone. The stone cutter accompanied by the people of Kanniyakumari reached the location indicated and they were surprised to see a big stone, befitting the purpose.They took the stone, made a bore hole and inserted the mast into it. To make the fitting more concrete and long lasting, they poured molted led and erected the mast.
New Church
The foundation stone for the new church was laid on 31 May 1900 by Rev. Fr. John Consolvez. Mr. Pakiam Pillai of the Vadakkankulam was the architect of the new church. It is the model of ancient Gothic Art and culture. The length of the new Church is 153 feet, breath 53 feet and height is 153 feet. All these depict the breads of the Holy Rosary.
Dimensions of the church
The church is constructed by the model of ancient Gothic Art and culture. The length of the new Church is 153 feet, breadth 53 feet and height of the main tower is 153 feet. This entire dimension depicts the breads of the Holy Rosary. There are 12 towers in the church which depicts 12 disciples of Jesus Christ.
Porch and other doors
The porch is ends with pointed arch. The church contains totally 7 doors, 3 as porch and 2 doors facing north and 2 doors facing south which depicts the 7 fruits of the holy spirit.
Several clustered piers of exquisite gothic architecture provides support to the main tower. Inside the church, there are compound pillars resembles like vertical shaft provide support to the ceiling which is made with nave vault and transverse arches.
Two side towers attached with the main tower which is act as belfry containing the church bells which have been imported from Italy on 1900 AD. The rhythm of the bell is distinct and one can hear from a longer distance. The native peoples were used this bell sound as a time machine for several decades.
Gigantic statues of St. Thomas and St. Francis Xavier are placed in the main tower to venerate their efforts to strengthen the faith of Christianity and catechize the peoples of Kanyakumari.The veneration of mother Mary is celebrated every year from May 1–31.
Developments
Many eminent priests have served as parish priests of the church.
In 1914 Msgr. Vincent Fdo celebrated the First Mass in the newly built Church. In 1956 Rev. Fr. Josaphath Maria completed the front elevation and the pinnacles.
In 2006 the parish celebrated the golden jubilee of the erection of the golden cross and 106th year of laying foundation of the church.
Our Lady of Ransom Church
When entering to the church a beautiful idol of Mother Mary derived from Italy clad in a sari – like in most South Indian churches and a little Cross on the altar. The beautiful paintings of four disciples of Jesus Christ and writers of new testaments of bible namely Mark, Matthew, Luke and John paintings is exquisite in the main altar and the lenient mother Mary statue is located in the middle of the main altar. The colorful light patterns thrown by the stained glass windows on side of the church gives a rainbow appearance inside the church. The mother Mary statue situated in the old Church is derived from Rome and is the main attraction of this church.
Annual Feast and Golden car procession
Every year the feast of our Lady of Ransom is celebrated for 10 days in the month of December. The feast of Our Lady of Ransom begins with the flag hoisting on the following Friday immediately after the feast of St. Francis Xavier, Kottar which falls on 3 December. The first day of the feast begins with the flag hoisting. During the festivals, every day morning festival mass is celebrated and in the evening there will be benediction with special prayers and preaching. The eight day evening Corpus Christi Procession is held with due decorum. The ninth day evening special vespers and celebrations are held. The culmination of the feast is the golden car procession. There are two golden cars which are taken on the 9th and 10th days of the feasts. Our Lady of delight is taken in procession in the 1st car, which was made in the year 1798. St. Joseph, the spouse of Mary is taken in procession in the 2nd car, which was made in the year 1833. Like any other coastal village of Kottar diocese, the festival is celebrated with full spirit and all pomp and glory.
Golden cars
Two golden chariots are magnificent which were dedicated to Our lady of Ransom and St. Joseph have been constructed during 1798 AD and 1833 AD respectively. The Golden car procession on the main street around the church is convened during the annual festival of Our Lady of Ransom. During the golden car procession, the traditional Nathaswaram music and peculiar praising of Mother Mary by an art of pala padal is admirable and unforgettable treat for the pilgrims witnessed by many peoples. The Golden car procession is most popular, during which peoples belongs to various religion and community are combined together and celebrate the events thus shows the communal harmony. Pilgrims from different places of the country and the state were visiting the church during the annual feast.
At present Kanniyakumari parish has 2,850 Catholic families, which are organised into 88 Basic Christian Communities. The total Number of the Catholics amounts to 12,839. There are 21 pious associations. The parish established an elementary school in the year 1882 and now 540 children are studying in the vernacular language. The parish has a Higher Secondary School established in the year 1921, where 1350 students are studying.
The spiritual life of the parishioners is well attended too under the able leadership of the parish priest. The co-pastors and a few guest priests constantly render spiritual services to the people. The Sunday Catechism is well organized, nearly 800 children attend the Sunday Catechism.
Mass& Prayer
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References
1. Stephen Neill (2004). A History of Christianity in India: The Beginnings to Ad 1707. Cambridge University Press. p. 29. ISBN 0-521-54885-3.
2. Dr. Issac Arul Dhas G,'`Kumari Mannil Christhavam' (Tamil), Scott Christian College, Nagercoil, 2010, ISBN 978-81-8465-204-8, Page 7
3. Dr. Issac Arul Dhas, 'Kumari Mannil Christhavam'(Tamil), ISBN 978-81-8465-204-8, Page 7.
4. A. E. Medlycott (1 January 2005). India and the Apostle Thomas: An Inquiry, with a Critical Analysis of the Acta Thomae. Gorgias Press LLC. ISBN 978-1-59333-180-1.
5. 2001 census data –Government of India
6. "Census of India, 2001".Census Bureau, Government of India. 2001.
External links
- Parish website
View of Thiruvalluvar statue from the church
