St. Antony Mary Claret Parish
Karumathur
St. Antony Mary Claret Parish, Karumathur is located about 22 kms from Madurai on the way to Theni. Having Karumathur as centre, its boundaries spread till Palakalai Nagar in the east, Vikkiramangalam in the north, Alagusirai in the south and Ariyapatti in the west.
Most of the people of this area belong to ‘Piramalai Kallar’ community. These people are highly staunch and strong in their culture, tradition and practices. The origin of Christianity among this community is really, a huge task and a great achievement.
Fr. Prince SJ was one of the first missionaries to work in this area and spread Christianity. Fr. Montard SJ followed him and worked tirelessly for the spread of Christian Faith. He not only did missionary work but also worked for the socio-educatio-economic development of the people. He travelled throughout the Usilampatti area in bullock-cart. He visited all the villages and kinds of people. Though he was a foreigner, he learnt the Tamil language and the people’s culture; and thus he loved the people as his own. Seeing the great work of him, more than hundreds of family embraced Christian Faith and became Christians. Hence he was hailed as ‘the Father of Kallar Nadu’.
After his departure, there was no shepherd to care for them. Though people went miles to participate in mass and spiritual activities, we see the Christian people were losing their hold in Christianity slowly.
With great foresight, Madurai Archbishop Most Rev. Justin Diraviam started a college in 1970 for the rural students with the help of Dela Salle brothers. At that time, the Christ Hall Seminary was also started near the college. After sometime, the College was entrusted to the care of Jesuits for Ninety Nine years with a new name, ‘Arul Anandar College’ and it spreads its flame well till today. The start of Christian institutions in this area began to kindle and animate the fire of faith among the Catholic Christians.
Like a ‘Shining Star’, Claretians started a seminary in 1976 in this area. Fr. Mathew was the Rector of the seminary. After a long time, people found a real missionary and missionary work in the person of Fr. Mathew. His selfless efforts yielded good results. It also brought new strength and vigour to the people of this area specially Christians. He spent more time in visiting people in their villages and working for the over-all development of the people through various movements such as ‘Claret Samuga Panikulu’, ‘Nallaayan Palnokku Mandram’, ‘Claret Seva Sangam’ and ‘Claret Makalir Kullu’. Watching the developments closely, Madurai Archbishop Most Rev. Justin Diraviam carved ‘Karumathur’ as a Parish on 24th October 1978 from Usilampatti Parish; and it is under the good pastoral care of Claretians till today.
Fr. Montard SJ felt that for the development of the people, good education is a must. So he guided and helped many persons of this area to undergo teacher training. Thus we see most of the Christians and their heirs are in teaching profession today. Though basically these people belong to agriculture, there has been little development in their life due to the importance given to education.
The educational ministry of Arul Anandar College and St. Claret Schools have contributed to the socio-educatio-economic development of the people of this area.
When the Parish began, the number of families was 85. The strength of the Parish at-present is 150 families and it has 8 sub-stations namely Checkanurani, Alagusirai, Piraviampatti, Chellampatti, Kovilankulam, Vadakkampatti, Valandhur and Vikkiramangalam. Besides Jesuits, Christ Hall Seminary and Claretians, we have many religious congregations such as Carmelite Fathers (OCD), SMA Fathers, OMD Fathers, MIC Fathers, SDM Fathers, Franciscan Sisters of St. Mary of Angels (FSMA), Order of St. Francis of Assisi Sisters (OSF), Fatima Sisters (FS), St. Joseph of Apparition Sisters (SJA), Sisters of Charity of St. Mary (SCSM) and Seva Missionary Sisters (SMSM), who do various works like social, medical, educational and formation of students.
Though many Christian institutions and missionaries are working in this area of Karumathur, we see very less attraction towards Christian faith. We need to situate this in the general context of decline of people in the world towards religion and spirituality, which has affected these people too. Besides this, we also see that Christian institutions and missionaries are involved in social, medical, educational and formative works, which gives less time for missionary and religious works. Hence we see a minimal growth only in Christian faith.
Due to the non-increase of Christian population in this area, young Christian boy/girl doesn’t get their partners for marriage within the Christianity. So they are dependent on other religions. This a big drawback and a serious concern of the Christian people.
The various organs of the Parish – Parish Council, St. Vincent de Paul Society, Legion of Mary, Youth Association and Altar Boys-Girls Association are functioning well.
The Holy Mass was first celebrated in Claret Bhavan and then it was shifted to St. Claret School. Now we have 7 Churches (except Vikkiramangalam) besides the Parish Church. We have 4 grottos in Karumathur, Kovilankulam, Vadakkamapatti and Alagusirai. With the guidance of the Parish Priest, the people of this area have developed.... developing in Christian-educatio-socio-economic levels of life.
Succession of Parish Priests
Fr. Mathew (1978-81); Fr. Anselmus (1981-84); Fr. Singarayan (1984-86); Fr. Devadoss (1986-87); Fr. Lucas (1987-90); Fr. Jayabalan (1990-92); Fr. Santhanasamy (1992-93); Fr. Antonysamy (1993-98); Fr. Mariadoss (1998-03); Fr. Amaladhas (2003-04); Fr. Eslin Pereira (2004-06); Fr. Remegius (2006-10); Fr. John Consus (2010-13); Fr. Joseph Victor Doss (2013-..).
Karumathur
St. Antony Mary Claret Parish, Karumathur is located about 22 kms from Madurai on the way to Theni. Having Karumathur as centre, its boundaries spread till Palakalai Nagar in the east, Vikkiramangalam in the north, Alagusirai in the south and Ariyapatti in the west.
Most of the people of this area belong to ‘Piramalai Kallar’ community. These people are highly staunch and strong in their culture, tradition and practices. The origin of Christianity among this community is really, a huge task and a great achievement.
Fr. Prince SJ was one of the first missionaries to work in this area and spread Christianity. Fr. Montard SJ followed him and worked tirelessly for the spread of Christian Faith. He not only did missionary work but also worked for the socio-educatio-economic development of the people. He travelled throughout the Usilampatti area in bullock-cart. He visited all the villages and kinds of people. Though he was a foreigner, he learnt the Tamil language and the people’s culture; and thus he loved the people as his own. Seeing the great work of him, more than hundreds of family embraced Christian Faith and became Christians. Hence he was hailed as ‘the Father of Kallar Nadu’.
After his departure, there was no shepherd to care for them. Though people went miles to participate in mass and spiritual activities, we see the Christian people were losing their hold in Christianity slowly.
With great foresight, Madurai Archbishop Most Rev. Justin Diraviam started a college in 1970 for the rural students with the help of Dela Salle brothers. At that time, the Christ Hall Seminary was also started near the college. After sometime, the College was entrusted to the care of Jesuits for Ninety Nine years with a new name, ‘Arul Anandar College’ and it spreads its flame well till today. The start of Christian institutions in this area began to kindle and animate the fire of faith among the Catholic Christians.
Like a ‘Shining Star’, Claretians started a seminary in 1976 in this area. Fr. Mathew was the Rector of the seminary. After a long time, people found a real missionary and missionary work in the person of Fr. Mathew. His selfless efforts yielded good results. It also brought new strength and vigour to the people of this area specially Christians. He spent more time in visiting people in their villages and working for the over-all development of the people through various movements such as ‘Claret Samuga Panikulu’, ‘Nallaayan Palnokku Mandram’, ‘Claret Seva Sangam’ and ‘Claret Makalir Kullu’. Watching the developments closely, Madurai Archbishop Most Rev. Justin Diraviam carved ‘Karumathur’ as a Parish on 24th October 1978 from Usilampatti Parish; and it is under the good pastoral care of Claretians till today.
Fr. Montard SJ felt that for the development of the people, good education is a must. So he guided and helped many persons of this area to undergo teacher training. Thus we see most of the Christians and their heirs are in teaching profession today. Though basically these people belong to agriculture, there has been little development in their life due to the importance given to education.
The educational ministry of Arul Anandar College and St. Claret Schools have contributed to the socio-educatio-economic development of the people of this area.
When the Parish began, the number of families was 85. The strength of the Parish at-present is 150 families and it has 8 sub-stations namely Checkanurani, Alagusirai, Piraviampatti, Chellampatti, Kovilankulam, Vadakkampatti, Valandhur and Vikkiramangalam. Besides Jesuits, Christ Hall Seminary and Claretians, we have many religious congregations such as Carmelite Fathers (OCD), SMA Fathers, OMD Fathers, MIC Fathers, SDM Fathers, Franciscan Sisters of St. Mary of Angels (FSMA), Order of St. Francis of Assisi Sisters (OSF), Fatima Sisters (FS), St. Joseph of Apparition Sisters (SJA), Sisters of Charity of St. Mary (SCSM) and Seva Missionary Sisters (SMSM), who do various works like social, medical, educational and formation of students.
Though many Christian institutions and missionaries are working in this area of Karumathur, we see very less attraction towards Christian faith. We need to situate this in the general context of decline of people in the world towards religion and spirituality, which has affected these people too. Besides this, we also see that Christian institutions and missionaries are involved in social, medical, educational and formative works, which gives less time for missionary and religious works. Hence we see a minimal growth only in Christian faith.
Due to the non-increase of Christian population in this area, young Christian boy/girl doesn’t get their partners for marriage within the Christianity. So they are dependent on other religions. This a big drawback and a serious concern of the Christian people.
The various organs of the Parish – Parish Council, St. Vincent de Paul Society, Legion of Mary, Youth Association and Altar Boys-Girls Association are functioning well.
The Holy Mass was first celebrated in Claret Bhavan and then it was shifted to St. Claret School. Now we have 7 Churches (except Vikkiramangalam) besides the Parish Church. We have 4 grottos in Karumathur, Kovilankulam, Vadakkamapatti and Alagusirai. With the guidance of the Parish Priest, the people of this area have developed.... developing in Christian-educatio-socio-economic levels of life.
Succession of Parish Priests
Fr. Mathew (1978-81); Fr. Anselmus (1981-84); Fr. Singarayan (1984-86); Fr. Devadoss (1986-87); Fr. Lucas (1987-90); Fr. Jayabalan (1990-92); Fr. Santhanasamy (1992-93); Fr. Antonysamy (1993-98); Fr. Mariadoss (1998-03); Fr. Amaladhas (2003-04); Fr. Eslin Pereira (2004-06); Fr. Remegius (2006-10); Fr. John Consus (2010-13); Fr. Joseph Victor Doss (2013-..).