Basilica of Our Lady of Snows, Thoothukudi

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Basilica of Our Lady of Snows, Thoothukudi
Our lady of snows basilica.JPG
Basilica of Our Lady of Snows, Thoothukudi
8°47′58″N78°09′23″E / 8.799444°N 78.156389°E / 8.799444; 78.156389
Location Thoothukudi, Tamil Nadu
Country India
Denomination Catholic
Website www.snowsbasilica.com
History
Status Basilica
Founded16th century
Dedication St. Mary
Consecrated 1713
Architecture
Functional statusActive
Style Portuguese
Administration
DistrictTuticorin
Diocese Tuticorin
Clergy
Bishop(s) Most. Rev. Dr.Stephen Anthony.
Rector Rev. Dr. Kumar Raja
Assistant 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.

Contents

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 present car that is still used today. [2]

Basilica of Our Lady of Snows - TOWER VIEW Basilica of Our Lady of Snows - TOWER VIEW.jpg
Basilica of Our Lady of Snows - TOWER VIEW

Notable Parish Priests

Servant of God Rev Fr. Antony Soosainather

See also

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References

  1. Joseph, Sandra (2024). Chathanatt, John (ed.). Christianity. Springer Netherlands. p. 18.
  2. Bayly, Susan (1989). Saints, Goddesses And Kings - Muslims and Christians in South Indian Society, 1700-1900. Cambridge University Press. p. 343.
The Golden Car Procession of the Lady of Snows Our Lady Of Snows Golden Car Possession 2023.jpg
The Golden Car Procession of the Lady of Snows