It is traditionally acknowledged to be one of the places where St. Thomas, an apostle of Jesus, lived and preached when he came to India. In 1551 AD, the Portuguese built a Church over the site where St. Thomas is believed to have lived in.[1] Later, in the year 1970, a part of this old Church was demolished and a larger circular Church was built to accommodate more devotees.
There is a cave on Little Mount where, according to tradition, St. Thomas lived for some time as a refuge from persecution.[2]:39 Two churches stand on the hill today.[2]:39 One is the old Portuguese-built church dedicated to Our Lady of Good Health, which was built in 1551.[3]:36[2]:39 The cave is accessible through this church.[3]:36 The other is a newer church built in 1971[2]:39 or 1972, replacing the older parish church.[3]:36
St. Thomas
St. Thomas is believed to have stayed in a tiny cave in Little Mount. He led a spartan prayerful life in solitude, often praying on the top of the hill and preaching to the local crowds that gathered to hear the Good news. The cave is well preserved and can be accessed from the old Church (chinna kovil) and is used for prayer and meditation by the devotees from all creeds. On the other side of the cave is an opening through which St. Thomas is said to have fled to escape this assailants. At the front of this opening are the hand and foot imprints of St. Thomas etched on the rock. A little farther away from the cave is an eternal spring from which is believed to be a work of St. Thomas. When St. Thomas was thirsty, he split the rocks and drank the refreshing water that gushed forth from the spring. There is also a cross that had miraculously bled blood several times and a sculpture of St. Thomas.[4]
Shrine of apostle St Thomas and Our Lady of Health Church
The Portuguese realized the importance of this sacred place and in 1551 AD, built a church in honour of Our Lady of Health. A part of this church still exists despite several renovations and development activities around it. The cave in which St. Thomas lived can be accessed from a small entrance at the left side of the altar of the church.
Developments around the church
Recent developments in and around the church include developing a large tract of land behind the church as Holy Land. All stations of the cross and a few stations of rosary are built in concrete on this land. The altar at the Holy Land is said to have been finished in Italy and blessed by the Pope before it was installed here.
New buildings in the Church campus include an adoration chapel, next to the old Church, a new parish office, at the other side of the circular Church, and a pulpit and altar to hold festival celebrations.
Church Festival
The annual feast of Our Lady of Health is held on the fifth Saturday after Easter. It is preceded by flag hoisting nine days earlier and Novena. On each day, mass and prayers are offered for special intentions of a specific category of people. On the feast day, the high mass is followed by a car procession around the Church. Next evening, the flag is lowered after a high mass.
Status of the church
Recently the church was elevated to the status of a Shrine. Now it is referred as "Shrine of Our Lady of Health." Masses are offered regularly (at 6:15 AM, 11:30 AM, and 6:00 PM during weekdays and 6:30 AM, 8:00 AM, 11:30 AM, and 5:00 PM during Sundays). During special occasions such as Christmas, masses are offered in two languages (Tamil and English). Every Sunday a mass is held in Korean at 10 am and an English mass at 6:30 pm.
Other organizations of the church
Our Lady of Health School
This school was started with the purpose of providing education in English medium for the poor residents of the Little Mount parish. This school has only primary section and after fifth class students usually move on to other schools for continuing their education.
Immaculate Conception convent
The Immaculate Conception (IC) convent is located behind the church and near the entrance to Holy Land.
Missionaries of Charity (Brothers) - Karunai Illam
Karunai Illam provides a home for the destitute people who are differently disabled, both mentally and physically. It is run by brothers of Missionaries of Charity. Missionaries of Charity, Brothers was founded in 1963 by Mother Teresa to do work similar to the Sisters of Missionaries of Charity.[5]
Ozanam Health Center
This health center was started at the initiative of Society of St. Vincent de Paul of Our Lady of Health Church. It was started at a time when common diseases were spreading among the poor people and doctors were difficult to find. It seeks to provide consultation and treatment to poor people for free or at nominal cost.
St. Thomas Community Hall
A small non-airconditioned community hall was constructed by the Church for use by its parishioners. It is built over two floors and has a very small car park. The first floor can seat about 300 people and the dining ground floor can seat about 100. Cars are often parked outside the facility in the land belonging to Church. It is not available during the Church festival period.
↑Kurikilamkatt, James (1 January 2022). "Apostle of India: Seven and a Half Churches". In Chathanatt, John (ed.). Christianity. Springer. p.74-79. doi:10.1007/978-94-024-2241-2_3. Retrieved 14 November 2024.
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