Church of Mary Queen of Peace
Nagamalai Pudukottai,Madurai-625 019.
The parish is located 10 km west of Madurai in Nagamalai (towards Melakuilkudi Road). Formerly, it was one of the substations of Bastian Nagar parish and prior to that Gnanaolivupuram parish. The construction of the Church building began on 17 March 1985 and got completed on 18 July 1989. Archbishop Justin Diraviam funded the building.It was made as a quasi-parish in the year 1991. Fr. Gnanapragasam who worked in Arulanandar College as a faculty in philosophy department was taking care of this parish. He stayed in a rented house. In 1993 it was established as a separate parish by Archbishop Arockiasamy. Fr.Gnanapragasam was appointed as its first parish priest.
The Church bell was installed by the efforts of Fr. Seshu Raja and presbytery was constructed during the tenure of Fr. D. Gnanapragasam. The Bible Hall was added at the time of Fr. Divyanandam. Fr. James Paul Raj provided the church with a new generator in 1996. The nearby lands were purchased in order to extend the church campus on the south. The number of Catholic families is 140. Most of the parishioners are government servants and teachers. While they retired or get transferred they may leave the parish. So, one should say that the Catholic population of this parish is not always constant.
The parishioners live scattered in different places such as the nearby Pulluthu (Boys town) and Kilaneri villages. To mention the historical importance of Kilaneri, it is supposed to be an ancient Christian center frequented by Jesuit Missionary Robert de Nobili. He describes this village as full of paddy fields and water sources and calls it ‘Alagia Gramam.’ The early Christians of this village were konars (shepherds). Due to scanty spiritual ministry during the 19thcentury the descendants of the early Christians migrated to the northern parts of Madurai District. The Jesuit letters, describing the faith in this village, are available in the provincial archives of the Jesuits in Shembaganur.
Many religious congregations have their houses here in this parish and render a great service.
Priests Congregation
1. Pallotine Fathers
2. Servants Of Charity (Guenellian) Fathers
3. Holy Spirit Fathers
4. Sons Of Merciful Love
Brothers Congregation
1. Holy Family Brothers
2. De La Salle Brothers
Sisters Congregation
1. Servite Sisters
2. Presentation Provincialate
3. Formation House Of Presentation Sisters
4. Holy Family Sisters
5. Pallotine Sisters
6. Daughters Of Merciful Love Sisters
This parish is nourished by the activities of
1. Vincent de Paul society
2. Legion of Mary
3. Liturgy Committee
4. Evangelical Committee
5. Youth Movement
6. Yesuvin Kanmanigal
The following are the substations of this parish: Our Lady of Lourdes, Kilaneri; Our Lady of Good Health, Pulluthu
Succession of Parish Priests
Fr. D. Gnanapragasam (1989-96), Fr. S. Seshu Raja (1996-98), Fr. M. John Selvaraj (1998-2002), Fr. James Paul Raj (2002-04), Fr. M. Divyanandam (2004-09), Fr. A. Antony Packiam (2009-12), Fr. S. Cyprian (2012- )
Nagamalai Pudukottai,Madurai-625 019.
The parish is located 10 km west of Madurai in Nagamalai (towards Melakuilkudi Road). Formerly, it was one of the substations of Bastian Nagar parish and prior to that Gnanaolivupuram parish. The construction of the Church building began on 17 March 1985 and got completed on 18 July 1989. Archbishop Justin Diraviam funded the building.It was made as a quasi-parish in the year 1991. Fr. Gnanapragasam who worked in Arulanandar College as a faculty in philosophy department was taking care of this parish. He stayed in a rented house. In 1993 it was established as a separate parish by Archbishop Arockiasamy. Fr.Gnanapragasam was appointed as its first parish priest.
The Church bell was installed by the efforts of Fr. Seshu Raja and presbytery was constructed during the tenure of Fr. D. Gnanapragasam. The Bible Hall was added at the time of Fr. Divyanandam. Fr. James Paul Raj provided the church with a new generator in 1996. The nearby lands were purchased in order to extend the church campus on the south. The number of Catholic families is 140. Most of the parishioners are government servants and teachers. While they retired or get transferred they may leave the parish. So, one should say that the Catholic population of this parish is not always constant.
The parishioners live scattered in different places such as the nearby Pulluthu (Boys town) and Kilaneri villages. To mention the historical importance of Kilaneri, it is supposed to be an ancient Christian center frequented by Jesuit Missionary Robert de Nobili. He describes this village as full of paddy fields and water sources and calls it ‘Alagia Gramam.’ The early Christians of this village were konars (shepherds). Due to scanty spiritual ministry during the 19thcentury the descendants of the early Christians migrated to the northern parts of Madurai District. The Jesuit letters, describing the faith in this village, are available in the provincial archives of the Jesuits in Shembaganur.
Many religious congregations have their houses here in this parish and render a great service.
Priests Congregation
1. Pallotine Fathers
2. Servants Of Charity (Guenellian) Fathers
3. Holy Spirit Fathers
4. Sons Of Merciful Love
Brothers Congregation
1. Holy Family Brothers
2. De La Salle Brothers
Sisters Congregation
1. Servite Sisters
2. Presentation Provincialate
3. Formation House Of Presentation Sisters
4. Holy Family Sisters
5. Pallotine Sisters
6. Daughters Of Merciful Love Sisters
This parish is nourished by the activities of
1. Vincent de Paul society
2. Legion of Mary
3. Liturgy Committee
4. Evangelical Committee
5. Youth Movement
6. Yesuvin Kanmanigal
The following are the substations of this parish: Our Lady of Lourdes, Kilaneri; Our Lady of Good Health, Pulluthu
Succession of Parish Priests
Fr. D. Gnanapragasam (1989-96), Fr. S. Seshu Raja (1996-98), Fr. M. John Selvaraj (1998-2002), Fr. James Paul Raj (2002-04), Fr. M. Divyanandam (2004-09), Fr. A. Antony Packiam (2009-12), Fr. S. Cyprian (2012- )