Etymology
In the sangam Tamil dictionary, the term Chindhaaththirai is derived from chindhaa (unfailing in English) and yathirai (voyage or journey in English). [3] The combined term conveys the ideas of a successful or safe voyage, as well as safety, welfare, and prosperity. In historical Tamil literature, poets and ministers used the expression “Chindhaaththirai” to offer good wishes to kings departing for battle. Early Portuguese missionaries subsequently adopted the term in reference to the Virgin Mary as Chindhaaththirai Matha (mother in English), identifying her with “Our Lady of Happy Voyage". [3] This title is regarded as one of the earliest Tamil names attributed to the Mother of Jesus. [2]
History
In 1498 CE, the Portuguese established direct contact with Asia after Vasco da Gama reached Calicut via the Cape Route. [4] In 1534 CE, Portuguese merchants established warehouses and chapels in several villages and coastal settlements along the Coromandel Coast of the Bay of Bengal. [5] [2] These included Pulicate (also known as Anantharayanpattinam), Satras, Koonimedu, Kalapet, Pondicherry, Devanampattinam in Cuddalore, Porto-Nova (Parangipettai in modern days), Coleroon (Kollidam in morden days), Thirumullaivasal near Sirkazhi, Tranquebar, Tirumalairayanpattinam, Nagore, and Nagapattinam. [6] [2]
In the late 1550 CE, the Portuguese established a warehouse and a chapel on the island of Kottaimedu (present-day Kodiyampalayam), located at the mouth of the Coleroon River in the Mayiladuthurai district. At that time, Europeans, Eurasians, and migrants from Goa lived on the island. Their spiritual care, along with the broader missionary work in the region, was initially carried out by Portuguese Franciscan missionaries. After 1606 CE, diocesan clergy from the Mylapore Diocese and members of various religious institutes continued to visit the area and minister to the local Christian community. [2] [5]
Since the Catholic settlement on the Kodiyampalayam island expanded, a statue of “Our Lady of Nazareth of Travelers” was installed. The statue is considered a replica of the image of Our Lady preserved in the Basilica of the Holy Family in Nazareth. In the local context, she came to be known as Our Lady of Voyage, referred to in Tamil as Chindhaaththirai Matha. [2]
Dutch invasion
In 1659 CE, when the Dutch took control of Kodiyampalayam Island along chapel, the Portuguese passed the Chindhaaththirai Matha statue to recent converts in the area, who subsequently transferred it to the Christian community of village Erukkur.
From 1699 to 1744, Erukkur functioned as a mission centre under the Carnatic Mission. In 1850, the Apostolic Vicar of the Pondicherry Mission, Mgr. Bonnard, [7] elevated Erukkur to the status of a parish, appointing Rev. Fr. Lazar Appavoo as its first parish priest. In 1899, the parish was incorporated into the Diocese of Kumbakonam, it was transferred to the Archdiocese of Mylapore in 1929 and later, in 1953, became part of the newly created Diocese of Tanjore. [2]
The Chindhaaththirai Matha statue has remained associated with the Erukkur parish church, where it continues to be housed and venerated today for more than 365 years. [2]
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