SACRED HEART OF JESUS' CHURCH
(Holy Magi Church), W. Pudupatti, Virudhunagar Dt.
In 1872 Rev. Fr. Trincal Arulappar SJ, a missionary from France preached the true values of Christianity among people. All his efforts became fruitful because the people who lived in Kansapuram of Watrap region inspired by his preaching and converted into Christianity. Later on he reached the interior part of W. Pudupatti and made it as the centre of Mission in 1875. In 1879 he dedicated the newly built church to the 'Holy Magi'. He successfully extended his missionary service from A. Nathampatti to Sundaranatchiyarpuram. In 1880 he inaugurated schools for the children of W. Pudupatti and Srivilliputhur. The New Testament was translated from Latin into Tamil and published by him in 1889. The detailed information about him is conserved till today in the archives of Sacred Heart College, Kodaikanal.
After the period of Rev. Fr. Trincal Arulappar, they shifted the missionary from W. Pudupatti to Srivilliputhur for the frequent transportation and to fulfill the spiritual needs. Hence in 1906 Srivilliputhur was declared as a separate parish. Virudhunagar, Sivakasi, W. Pudupatti, Rajapalayam, Nathampatti comes under this parish. The Immaculate Heart of Mary’ church combined with the priests' residence were constructed at Melgopalapuram in 1924.
In 1926 from the vast landscape of srivilliputhur, W. Pudupatti was separated. Rev. Fr. Moriar sj., was appointed as the first parish priest of Pudupatti. Due to his tireless hard work the true values of Christianity, he spread throughout the villages of Pudupatti. The beautiful Immaculate Conception Church in Sirumalai was also constructed by him. The primary school which was inaugurated by Rev. Fr. Trincal sj., was developed into Middle school. He stayed at Melagopalapuram where he continued his service. Rev. Fr. Pinchole sj., built various schools in and around the village. For the maintenance purpose, agricultural land was bought. In 1953 Rev. Fr. Alexander Rayappa constructed a residence for the priests of W. Pudupatti. Then onwards the parish priests rendered their service by staying at that place.
Rev. Fr. Kulandai Samy tried to build a new church in 1961. But only Rev. Fr. Alphonse demolished the old church and started constructing a new one in 1976. In 1981 with the blessings of Archbishop Justin Diraviam, the newly built church was dedicated to Sacred Heart of Jesus.
Rev. Fr. Savarimuthu took much efforts to create A. Nathampatti as a separate parish in 1985. In 1991 Rev. Fr. Albin Justus, parish priest kept flag post and the feast of Sacred Heart of Jesus was celebrated. During his period new church were built in Sethunarayanapuram and Mathur. The tower of Sirumalai Shrine was also renovated.
Following him, In 1993 Rev. Fr. Siluvai Michael Raj gave importance to all the substations. Holy mass was celebrated once in a month in all the substations for the development of their spiritual life. He brought about evangelization ministers to the sub stations to vibrate the spiritual spirit among them. To educate the poor children he organized a hostel for them. In order to bring about the talents of the children various cultural activities were conducted. He also constructed the St. Antony’s Church at Sesupura. He renovated the churches of Ayartharmam and Koomapatti. The Hall in the front portion of Sirumalai was built in his period. He introduced the stations of Way of the Cross and made pilgrims pray over the Way of the Cross. The communal riots that happened in W. Pudupatti during 1999(March), 2000 (June) affected the life of people. Church organizations like MMSSS helped the people to go back to their normal life.
When Rev. Fr. Lucas was the parish priest he too constructed a new school in Mela Gopalapuram; initiated the work in Kansapurams He carried out many developmental works in sirumalai and expanded the home for the priests. He constructed the church in the cave where apprations of Mother Mary took place. He established a bore well in the cave church. He built Adoration Chapel in the main Church and our lady of Good Health kurusady on the road side
Rev. Fr. Peter sagayaraj, was the successor of Rev. Fr. Lucas. He renovated the church in Melagopalapuram with concrete roof. The fund received from the tireless work of Rev. Fr. Mark Stephen, He constructed a new building for Trincal Middle School. Every week, he went to the all the substations, celebrated Holy Mass and by providing sacraments he made their spiritual life to prosper.
Following him in 2008, Rev. Fr. Martin Joseph became Parish Priest and showed interest in the development of Sirumalai Mother Mary’ Shrine. The people, who were affected because of the communal riot, were guided with Mother Mary’s intercession and Sirumalai, a place being blessed by God, in union with the people he continued to work for their development. In the Cave Church 33 steps, Holy Cross Alter and way of the Cross, Statue of Our Lady of Sorrow, Holy Flag post, Maria Garden and sanitary campus for the pilgrims was established. In accordance with the Platinum Jubilee celebration of the diocese, all the substations along with the movements (Anbiyam) introduced Parish Pastoral council for the pastoral ministries. In W.Pudupatti, among the Catholics, each caste had a sepeate cemetery. To stop this, he declared that all Christians could bury their dead in the parish cemetery without any discrimination. In order to honour Rev. Fr. Trincal for his Bicentinary Celebration he brought the proposal of renaming the parish church again to Holy Magi Church in the parish council. New school building in Ilanthaikilam, Kumapatti church renovation work also was carried out by him. The communal riot took place in 2010 slowed down their growth. But the financial support from the Madurai Diocese, particularly the co-operation of MMSSS made them come up again in their life.
Rev. Fr. Thomas, Assistant parish priest (from June to September 2013) renovated the Sirumalai church. At present Rev. Fr. Pari valan works hard for the integral growth of the people and that of the shrine. With the help of the government he set 2 bore wells, drinking water facilities and Tar Road for the sake of the pilgrims. He also completed the sanitary work at the campus.
In this parish, 99% of the people are Dalits and are economically poor. People indulging themselves in the field of Agriculture, furnace, pipe line work are temporary and it results in non development path of life. Sisters of the CIC are working in the parish. Church of Immaculate Heart of Mary, Melagopalapuram, St. Antony's Church, Sesapuram, St. Thomas Church, Kansapuram, St. Sebastian's Church, Sethunarayanapuram, St. Xavier's Church, Koomapatti, St. Michael's Church, Krishnapuram, Arockia Annai Church, Mathoor, St. John De Britto Church, Ilandaikulam, St. Joseph's Church, Ayartharmam, Watrap, Akkanapuram, Sembatti, Krishnankoil are the substations of the parish.
Succession of Parish Priest…
1926 – 1934 - Rev. Fr. Fr. Morier, sj
1934 – 1947 - Rev. Fr. Pincol, sj
1947 – 1853 - Rev. Fr. Arockia Samy, SJ
1953 – 1956 - Rev. Fr. Rayappar Alexander, SJ
1956 – 1958 - Rev. Fr. Maria Michael, SJ
1958 - 1961 - Rev. Fr. Benedict Michael, SJ
1961 – 1969 - Rev. Fr. Kulandai Samy
1969 – 1976 - Rev. Fr. Visuvasam
1976 – 1983 - Rev. Fr. Alphonse
1983 – 1984 - Rev. Fr. Thomas
1984 – 1988 - Rev. Fr. Savarimuthu
1988 – 1989 - Rev. Fr. Vincent Raja
1990 – 1993 - Rev. Fr. Alwin Justice
1993 – 1998 - Rev. Fr. Siluvai Michael Raj
1998 – 1999 - Rev. Fr. Stanislaus, SJ
1999 – 2003 - Rev. Fr. Lucas Maria Gnanam
2003 – 2008 - Rev. Fr. Peter Sagayaraj
2008 – 2013 - Rev. Fr. Martin Joseph
2013 (June - Sep) - Rev. Fr. Sagaya Wilfred, sj.
2013 (October onwards) - Rev. Fr. Pari Valan
(Holy Magi Church), W. Pudupatti, Virudhunagar Dt.
In 1872 Rev. Fr. Trincal Arulappar SJ, a missionary from France preached the true values of Christianity among people. All his efforts became fruitful because the people who lived in Kansapuram of Watrap region inspired by his preaching and converted into Christianity. Later on he reached the interior part of W. Pudupatti and made it as the centre of Mission in 1875. In 1879 he dedicated the newly built church to the 'Holy Magi'. He successfully extended his missionary service from A. Nathampatti to Sundaranatchiyarpuram. In 1880 he inaugurated schools for the children of W. Pudupatti and Srivilliputhur. The New Testament was translated from Latin into Tamil and published by him in 1889. The detailed information about him is conserved till today in the archives of Sacred Heart College, Kodaikanal.
After the period of Rev. Fr. Trincal Arulappar, they shifted the missionary from W. Pudupatti to Srivilliputhur for the frequent transportation and to fulfill the spiritual needs. Hence in 1906 Srivilliputhur was declared as a separate parish. Virudhunagar, Sivakasi, W. Pudupatti, Rajapalayam, Nathampatti comes under this parish. The Immaculate Heart of Mary’ church combined with the priests' residence were constructed at Melgopalapuram in 1924.
In 1926 from the vast landscape of srivilliputhur, W. Pudupatti was separated. Rev. Fr. Moriar sj., was appointed as the first parish priest of Pudupatti. Due to his tireless hard work the true values of Christianity, he spread throughout the villages of Pudupatti. The beautiful Immaculate Conception Church in Sirumalai was also constructed by him. The primary school which was inaugurated by Rev. Fr. Trincal sj., was developed into Middle school. He stayed at Melagopalapuram where he continued his service. Rev. Fr. Pinchole sj., built various schools in and around the village. For the maintenance purpose, agricultural land was bought. In 1953 Rev. Fr. Alexander Rayappa constructed a residence for the priests of W. Pudupatti. Then onwards the parish priests rendered their service by staying at that place.
Rev. Fr. Kulandai Samy tried to build a new church in 1961. But only Rev. Fr. Alphonse demolished the old church and started constructing a new one in 1976. In 1981 with the blessings of Archbishop Justin Diraviam, the newly built church was dedicated to Sacred Heart of Jesus.
Rev. Fr. Savarimuthu took much efforts to create A. Nathampatti as a separate parish in 1985. In 1991 Rev. Fr. Albin Justus, parish priest kept flag post and the feast of Sacred Heart of Jesus was celebrated. During his period new church were built in Sethunarayanapuram and Mathur. The tower of Sirumalai Shrine was also renovated.
Following him, In 1993 Rev. Fr. Siluvai Michael Raj gave importance to all the substations. Holy mass was celebrated once in a month in all the substations for the development of their spiritual life. He brought about evangelization ministers to the sub stations to vibrate the spiritual spirit among them. To educate the poor children he organized a hostel for them. In order to bring about the talents of the children various cultural activities were conducted. He also constructed the St. Antony’s Church at Sesupura. He renovated the churches of Ayartharmam and Koomapatti. The Hall in the front portion of Sirumalai was built in his period. He introduced the stations of Way of the Cross and made pilgrims pray over the Way of the Cross. The communal riots that happened in W. Pudupatti during 1999(March), 2000 (June) affected the life of people. Church organizations like MMSSS helped the people to go back to their normal life.
When Rev. Fr. Lucas was the parish priest he too constructed a new school in Mela Gopalapuram; initiated the work in Kansapurams He carried out many developmental works in sirumalai and expanded the home for the priests. He constructed the church in the cave where apprations of Mother Mary took place. He established a bore well in the cave church. He built Adoration Chapel in the main Church and our lady of Good Health kurusady on the road side
Rev. Fr. Peter sagayaraj, was the successor of Rev. Fr. Lucas. He renovated the church in Melagopalapuram with concrete roof. The fund received from the tireless work of Rev. Fr. Mark Stephen, He constructed a new building for Trincal Middle School. Every week, he went to the all the substations, celebrated Holy Mass and by providing sacraments he made their spiritual life to prosper.
Following him in 2008, Rev. Fr. Martin Joseph became Parish Priest and showed interest in the development of Sirumalai Mother Mary’ Shrine. The people, who were affected because of the communal riot, were guided with Mother Mary’s intercession and Sirumalai, a place being blessed by God, in union with the people he continued to work for their development. In the Cave Church 33 steps, Holy Cross Alter and way of the Cross, Statue of Our Lady of Sorrow, Holy Flag post, Maria Garden and sanitary campus for the pilgrims was established. In accordance with the Platinum Jubilee celebration of the diocese, all the substations along with the movements (Anbiyam) introduced Parish Pastoral council for the pastoral ministries. In W.Pudupatti, among the Catholics, each caste had a sepeate cemetery. To stop this, he declared that all Christians could bury their dead in the parish cemetery without any discrimination. In order to honour Rev. Fr. Trincal for his Bicentinary Celebration he brought the proposal of renaming the parish church again to Holy Magi Church in the parish council. New school building in Ilanthaikilam, Kumapatti church renovation work also was carried out by him. The communal riot took place in 2010 slowed down their growth. But the financial support from the Madurai Diocese, particularly the co-operation of MMSSS made them come up again in their life.
Rev. Fr. Thomas, Assistant parish priest (from June to September 2013) renovated the Sirumalai church. At present Rev. Fr. Pari valan works hard for the integral growth of the people and that of the shrine. With the help of the government he set 2 bore wells, drinking water facilities and Tar Road for the sake of the pilgrims. He also completed the sanitary work at the campus.
In this parish, 99% of the people are Dalits and are economically poor. People indulging themselves in the field of Agriculture, furnace, pipe line work are temporary and it results in non development path of life. Sisters of the CIC are working in the parish. Church of Immaculate Heart of Mary, Melagopalapuram, St. Antony's Church, Sesapuram, St. Thomas Church, Kansapuram, St. Sebastian's Church, Sethunarayanapuram, St. Xavier's Church, Koomapatti, St. Michael's Church, Krishnapuram, Arockia Annai Church, Mathoor, St. John De Britto Church, Ilandaikulam, St. Joseph's Church, Ayartharmam, Watrap, Akkanapuram, Sembatti, Krishnankoil are the substations of the parish.
Succession of Parish Priest…
1926 – 1934 - Rev. Fr. Fr. Morier, sj
1934 – 1947 - Rev. Fr. Pincol, sj
1947 – 1853 - Rev. Fr. Arockia Samy, SJ
1953 – 1956 - Rev. Fr. Rayappar Alexander, SJ
1956 – 1958 - Rev. Fr. Maria Michael, SJ
1958 - 1961 - Rev. Fr. Benedict Michael, SJ
1961 – 1969 - Rev. Fr. Kulandai Samy
1969 – 1976 - Rev. Fr. Visuvasam
1976 – 1983 - Rev. Fr. Alphonse
1983 – 1984 - Rev. Fr. Thomas
1984 – 1988 - Rev. Fr. Savarimuthu
1988 – 1989 - Rev. Fr. Vincent Raja
1990 – 1993 - Rev. Fr. Alwin Justice
1993 – 1998 - Rev. Fr. Siluvai Michael Raj
1998 – 1999 - Rev. Fr. Stanislaus, SJ
1999 – 2003 - Rev. Fr. Lucas Maria Gnanam
2003 – 2008 - Rev. Fr. Peter Sagayaraj
2008 – 2013 - Rev. Fr. Martin Joseph
2013 (June - Sep) - Rev. Fr. Sagaya Wilfred, sj.
2013 (October onwards) - Rev. Fr. Pari Valan