Sacred Hearts Cathedral, Tuticorin, Tamil Nadu

Apart from Tuticorin's famous Snows church (covered in my earlier blog), I’d like to highligh another prominent church in Tuticorin, "Sacred Hearts Cathedral".

Sacred Hearts cathedral is not related to St. Francis Xavier or the Portuguese architecture of the early 16th century. This church was built long after the Snows church in Tuticorin and this has a “French connection”. This cathedral acts as the Tuticorin diocese headquarters, having the Tuticorin Bishop’s residence. Most of the coastal villages surrounding Tuticorin (Vembar, Alanthalai, Vaipar, Veerapandiapatinam, Manappad etc.) fall under Tuticorin diocese. Let’s look at the history and finer details of this beautiful church:

Why is it called "Chinna Koil”?

Till independence there were only 2 parishes that existed in Tuticorin – “Our Lady of Snows” and “Sacred Hearts”. Sacred Hearts cathedral is much bigger than Our Lady of Snows Basilica, but ironically this church is called as the "Chinna Koil" (meaning small church in Tamil). Snows church is called as the "Periya Koil" (big church in Tamil). The naming came because Snows was built much ahead of Sacred Hearts and it received a wider recognition from the people. In order to distinguish between these 2 popular churches people started calling the earlier one (Snows church) as big church and the latter one (Sacred Hearts) as small church. In no way this term depicts the size of the churches.

Though Tuticorin town has several churches, Snows church and Sacred Hearts church are the 2 most famous. We should note that the first church is elevated to the status of “Basilica” and the second to the status of “Cathedral” by Roman Catholicism.

On 12th June 1923 when Tuticorin diocese was created, Sacred Hearts church was elevated to the status of "Cathedral". This church became the headquarters for Tuticorin diocese and in 1923 Rev. Roche became the first Bishop for this diocese. Subsequently Sacred Hearts cathedral was established as the Bishop House of the diocese.

History of the church

Goa Mission vs. French Mission

Going back to the early 16th century when Christianity spread in India there were only 4 dioceses in India. These dioceses were under the direct control of Portuguese kingdom. The Portuguese king with Pope's permission had established these 4 dioceses in India. These 4 were Goa (Headquarters), Cochin (Kerala), Cranganore (Kerala) and Mylapore (Tamil Nadu). The coastal villages which I’m referring in Tamil Nadu came under the diocese of Cochin.

In 1658 Dutch had conquered Tuticorin and other villages by defeating the Portuguese. Years passed and all the churches in and around this area were governed by Jesuit (Society of Jesus) priests. On July 21 1773 Pope Clement XIV "de-recognised" or "suppressed" the Society of Jesus. The Jesuits took over again after the "Society of Jesus" was restored by Pope Pius VII on 7^th August 1814. On the 8th of July 1836, Pope Gregory XVI made Madurai an Apostolic Province. Madurai became the centre of Christianity in Tamil Nadu and was handed over to Jesuit priests from France. Pearl fishery coast (all coastal villages from Vembar to Kanyakumari) came under this new province and was entrusted to the Jesuit Missionaries of Toulouse Province in France. So this was also called as the "French Mission".

The French mission tried to get back all the parishes that were under the influence of Goan priests (Portuguese supported) which caused riots and confusion. Portuguese influence never left coastal towns and villages of Tamil Nadu. Two factions namely “Goa Mission” (Padroado priests) and “French Mission” (Jesuit priests) prevailed during that time. The fight between the priests of Portuguese mission and French mission grew to a fight between two nations, Portugal and France. In view of solving this problem, Pope Leo XIII in 1886, made a concordat (agreement) with the Portugal government, and put the dioceses of Goa and Mylapore under Padroado. At the same time Tiruchirapalli (Tamil Nadu) was declared a separate diocese and the Pearl Fishery Coast came under this. 

Church’s construction

In 1839 when Tuticorin was controlled by Madurai mission (Jesuits from France) the local villagers supported the establishment of Goa Mission (Portuguese mission). For this the head of villages ousted the Jesuit priest Fr. Martin from Our Lady of Snows and handed it to the Goa mission. Since Jesuit priests in Madurai mission lost control over the snows church they wanted to construct a separate church in Tuticorin. After waiting for nearly 9 years the Jesuit priests in Madurai decided to construct a church in Tuticorin. The construction of Chinna Koil started in 1848 under the supervision of Jesuit priests from Madurai.

The construction began in 1848 by Fr. Piccinelli and a small church was blessed open on January 5th of 1849. Rev. Fr. Kanos who was the bishop of Madurai Apostolic Province blessed the new church. Construction of a bigger church was going on simultaneously around this small church which was completed after 15 years in 1864.

After 45 years in 1909 the church's side wings were extended. The towers which we see in the front were built in 1948 and were considered to be a great achievement during those times. Limestone was used to build these towers which were churned by the bulls during those times. Today this church stands as one of the finest French architectural church in India.

Tamil Nadu has several churches which need to be visited. Portuguese and French have imprinted their beautiful architecture. By looking at some of the old churches we can distinguish if it follows the French or Portuguese architecture.

Why "Sacred Hearts”?

In 1849 when this church's construction was completed it was dedicated to the sacred hearts of both Jesus and mother Mary. Hence this church is called as "Sacred Hearts" rather than "Sacred Heart" church which we usually come across. 

Tuticorin Diocese

Separated from the diocese of Tiruchirapalli, Tuticorin was created as a diocese and entrusted to the diocesan clergy in 1923. St. Francis Xavier and St. Theresa of Child Jesus were held as the patron saints of the diocese. On April 4, 1930 the five parishes of Kooduthalai, Manapad (Holy Ghost Church), Punnaikayal, Tuticorin (Our Lady of Snows Church) and Vaippar were amalgamated into the diocese.

Today Tuticorin, Vallioor, Kallikulam, Uvari, Manapad, Alanthalai, Vadakankulam, Idinthakarai, Kootapuli, Vembar, Virapandiapatinam etc. fall in the Tuticorin diocese. 

Grottos in the parish

There are 4 Grottos ("Keby") in this church's premise, they are:

•  Our Lady of Lourdes
•  St. Joseph
•  St. Theresa
•  St. Francis Xavier

Special features of the church

•  Inner wooden architecture and paintings in stained glasses reflect the French architecture.
• There is a statue of Jesus Christ in the cross wherein one of his hands embraces St. Francis of Assisi.
• Finest wooden crafts, not just in the altar but everywhere around the church.
• The Eucharistic tabernacle is designed as a Pearl, symbolizing Pearly city Tuticorin.
• The inside of central dome has paintings depicting Jesus Christ, Mother Mary, Angels etc.

When you get time kindly visit these churches around coastal Tamilnadu. Each church has it's own architectural speciality..

Holy Spirit Church, Vembar, Tuticorin District, Tamil Nadu

Vembar

Vembar is a coastal village in Tamil Nadu lying in between Tuticorin and Rameswaram (65 kms from Tuticorin). Before the Arabs and Portuguese came and established their control around the coastal regions of Tamil Nadu, these regions were governed by Pandyan kings in Madurai. The Pandyan emperors allowed the coastal fishermen from Keelakarai to Kanyakumari (around 250+ kms) to manage and operate the pearl fisheries because of their ancient skills in this activity. The emperors exempted the fisher folks from taxation and allowed them to govern themselves in return for the Pearls and other sea products generated for the kingdom.

Holy Spirit Church, Vembar

History of the Holy Spirit Church

After 1542 Jesuit Priest “St. Francis Xavier” travelled through the coastal regions and he helped build several churches. During this time the Vembar church was built with walls made of clay and roofs made of thatched leaves. History states that in 1600, Jesuit records in Rome noted that Vembar’s church was the biggest and beautiful among all the coastal churches built during that time. It should be noted that around 40 churches were built along the coastal areas and Vembar's church was the biggest and beautiful.

This church started deteriorating and during 1720′s a second church was built close to the first church and was named "The Holy Spirit Church". In 1709 a terrible plague stuck the people of Vembar. This plague took many lives and incapacitated many in Vembar which lasted for nearly 2 years. During this time people were asked to seek St. Sebastian’s intervention, a warrior saint from Milan, Italy. St. Sebastian is known for curing plagues amongst several people all over the world. The people of Vembar prayed vigorously to St. Sebastian and many were cured. Around 1711 – 1712 the people embraced St. Sebastian as the patron saint of Vembar.

The second church built during 1720′s also started collapsing in the beginning of the 20th century. It was decided that a new church would be built with strength to sustain for several years. In 1908 construction of a new church began at the same location and the stones and woods from the old church were used for this building. People of Vembar contributed heavily to build this new church. Finally on 1st February 1915 the new church was blessed and consecrated to “The Holy Spirit” by Parish priest Fr. Swaminathar in the presence of Tiruchi Bishop Rev. Augustine Faisandier.

                                      

It should be noted that from 1876 Vembar had been a big mission with 25 substations. From Vaipar to Tuticorin all the churches were annexed with Vembar until 1908 when all churches were moved under Tuticorin diocese. Today the new church in Vembar which was constructed in 1915 lies few metres away from the first church which St. Francis Xavier built during his time. Year 2015 celebrated the centenary of the new church in Vembar.

Church's altar

St. Sebastian

The feast of St. Sebastian (as the patron Saint of Vembar) is observed on January 20th world over. As the patron saint of Vembar village the Holy Spirit Church celebrates this feast with much fanfare and grandeur. St. Sebastian from Milan, Italy (256 AD – 288 AD) lived way before other known saints existed, yet the awareness in India is minimal. There are very few churches in India dedicated to this saint and Vembar is one such village which has a long standing relationship with St. Sebastian. He is considered a warrior saint, saint for archers and protector against plagues.

Sebastian was an officer in the praetorian guards in Roman Army under Emperor Diocletian and he secretly worshipped Jesus Christ. During those times (from 1 AD to 300 AD) anyone following Jesus or embracing his teachings was considered a traitor by the Romans and they were prosecuted. When it was discovered that Sebastian was following Christ, he was ordered to be killed. On the Emperor Diocletian’s order he was tied to a tree and shot with 7 arrows and left to die. A widow named Irene went to retrieve his body to bury it and she found he was still alive and nursed him back to good health.

Soon after this Sebastian met the Emperor, denounced him for his cruelty to Christians. This time he was beaten badly on the Emperor’s orders and died immediately. His body was thrown into the common sewer. A pious lady named Lucina got Sebastian’s body buried it in the catacombs at the entrance of the cemetery of Calixtus, where now stands the Basilica of St. Sebastian in Rome, Italy.

St. Sebastian's procession in Vembar

St. Sebastian

Our Lady of Snows Church, Tuticorin, Tamil Nadu, India

History of the church

Snows Church, Tuticorin

Snows Basilica in Tuticorin is a famous church in Tamilnadu, India. One of the oldest and biggest, this church was built after the arrival of St. Francis Xavier in the 16^th century. St. Francis Xavier was instrumental in bringing Christianity to Tamilnadu. His mission started from Kanyakumari and went until a village called Vembar covering all coastal villages for a distance of 200 kilometres. He installed several churches in and around these coastal villages.

The first church in Tuticorin was built during 1540 and dedicated to St. Peter. St. Francis Xavier who came here during this time was instrumental in building this church. Later on 5th August 1582, a new church was built and dedicated to “Our lady of Mercy”. In Rome 5^th August was observed as the feast of Mother of Snows. Since then the annual feast is celebrated on August 5^th and the church was gradually called as the “Church of our Lady of Snows” instead of “Church of our Lady of Mercy”.

The history of Mary’s statue – The statue was originally placed in the convent of Augustinian sisters, Manila, Philippines. When St. Francis Xavier was travelling to China after visiting the coastal areas of Tamilnadu he stayed in this convent for few days. He had a strong desire to take this statue back to Tamilnadu but the sisters refused to give as they were very fond of this. Later St. Francis Xavier died on the way to China in an island called Sancian which was a Portuguese occupied island during those times. Hearing this news the sisters decided to send this statue to Tuticorin as a mark of respect to the saint. The statue of Our Lady of Snows arrived from Manila, Philippines and is the statue which we see now in the Basilica.

Construction of the latest church which we see now started in 1712 by Fr. Vigilius. This church was completed in a very short span of time and it opened on 05th August 1713.

Since the new church was very big compared to the churches in other coastal villages in Tamilnadu it was called “Periya Koil” (big church). Even today people in Tuticorin refer this church as “Periya Koil”.

Our Lady of Snows

Arrival of the “Dutch” in coastal regions

During late 1650’s the Dutch fought with the Portuguese and conquered Tuticorin. Slowly they captured the entire coastal regions of Tamilnadu. Since the Dutch were against Catholicism they started demolishing many churches in this region. To protect the statue of Our Lady of Snows it was removed from the church by the village head and moved out of Tuticorin. This statue moved around coastal villages such as Sivanthakulam, Vembar, Punnaikayal to stay away from the hands of the Dutch.

In 1699 the Dutch did not have any progress in their trade because all locals around the Tuticorin region boycotted to support them. Realising a big loss in their business the Dutch called back all Jesuit priests and asked the local Catholics in Tuticorin to follow Catholicism again. During this time the statue of Our Lady of Snows came back to Tuticorin.

Golden Car

The golden car procession of Our Lady of Snows in Tuticorin is considered as one of the most important festivals. In 1702 the first Car procession ("Ther" of Our Lady of Snows) took place. The Golden Car procession first took place in 05^th August of 1806 and then in the years 1872, 1879, 1895, 1905, 1908, 1926, 1947, 1955, 1964, 1977, 1982, 2000 and 2007.

Logic behind finalising the years when a golden car procession should take place is interesting. Though we are not aware how the initial years were decided the later part had logic:

• We should note that in 1982 this church was raised as a Basilica.
• Year 2000 was the Jubilee year and again golden car procession took place.
• Year 20007 marked the 25^th anniversary since the church was raised as a Basilica.
• Year 2013 marked the completion of 300 years since the new church was built in 1713.

Golden Car

Interesting facts on Snows church and the Golden Car

• “Das Nevis” means Our Lady of Snows in Portuguese.

• She has been given the unique title of “Yelu Kadalthurai” (depicting seven coastal villages) or Yega Adaikala Thai (Mother of Refuge for the seven coastal villages). These villages were Vembar, Vaipar, Tuticorin, Punnaikayal, Virapandianpatinam, Alanthalai and Manapad.

• In 1982 the Church celebrated the 400th anniversary. Pope John Paul II raised it to the status of Basilica on 30th July 1982.

• The basilica houses the miraculous statue of Our Lady of Snows, which is completely carved out of wood and considered a great piece of art.

• The altar against a heavenly background has the portrait of God the Father and Jesus Christ crowning Mother Mary. Mother Mary’s statue (Snows statue) stands at the centre and to her right is the statue of St. Ignatius and to her left stands St. Francis Xavier.

• In the Golden Car instead of a Cross we can see a star at the top. It signifies the name of Our Lady as the Star of the Sea (Stella Maris). This star has five points to signify:

a)      Divine Motherhood

b)     Immaculate Conception

c)      Perpetual Virginity

d)     Channel of Divine grace

e)      Gate of Heaven.

• The heads of the four parrots found on the four corners of the basement in the Golden Car tell us that the people in and around Tuticorin (all coastal villages) were ruled by Pandyan Kings.
• In the Golden Car four mermaids with human heads and bodies of fish are erected standing with folded hands symbolising sea faring people in this region.

• The Car’s height is 53 feet depicting 53 Hail Mary’s in a rosary.

Basilica during festive season