Basilica of Our Lady of Snows, Thoothukudi : History, Notable Parish Priests Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Basilica of Our Lady of Snows, Thoothukudi

Church in Tamil Nadu, India

8°47′58″N 78°09′23″E / 8.799444°N 78.156389°E / 8.799444; 78.156389LocationThoothukudi, Tamil NaduCountryIndiaDenominationCatholicWebsitewww.snowsbasilica.comHistoryStatusBasilicaFounded16th centuryDedicationSt. MaryArchitectureFunctional statusActiveStylePortugueseAdministrationDistrictTuticorinDioceseTuticorinClergyBishop(s)Most. Rev. Dr.Stephen Anthony.RectorRev. Dr. Kumar RajaAssistant priest(s)Rev. Fr. Kingston

Basilica of Our Lady of Snows, Thoothukudi, is located at Thoothukudi, Tamil Nadu, India. It is one of the Catholic pilgrimage centers in India dedicated to the Our Lady of Snows, a title given to Mother Mary. The shrine name refers to the Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore in Rome. The site is known for Portuguese architecture and Portuguese prayers and now it is recognised as a Tamil Nadu notable pilgrim site.

History

The St. Paul chapel in Thoothukudi was built in 1548 and renovated in 1582, when the statue of Mother Mary was installed. In 1713, a new basilica was built and consecrated, which would become the Basilica of Our Lady of Snows.^[1]

The first of the notable festivals that take place at the church began in 1720, when Paravar elites ordered the construction of a golden car for the Mother Mary statue and a ten-day festival. That car was used until 1806, with the construction of the car that is still used today.^[2]

Notable Parish Priests

Servant of God Rev Fr. Antony Soosainather

References

^ Joseph, Sandra (2024). Chathanatt, John (ed.). Christianity. Springer Netherlands. p. 18.
^ Bayly, Susan (1989). Saints, Goddesses And Kings - Muslims and Christians in South Indian Society, 1700-1900. Cambridge University Press. p. 343.