St. Mary’s Cathedral
The Church of Our Lady of Dolours
P.Box. 56, Keela Veli Street, Madurai-625 001.
The Church of Our Lady of Dolours, popularly known as St. Mary’s Cathedral, is one of the ancient churches in Tamil Nadu. It is known for its architectural splendour with its magnificent spires rising to the skies. The site on which the present Cathedral stands was bought in 1840 by Fr. Joseph Betrand, sj one of the four pioneers of the New Madurai Mission. In 1841, Fr. Louis Garnier, sj built a small church, 32 feet broad, modelled on the Cathedral of Trichy. He was responsible for resettling thirty Catholic families of Saliers from Puduppatti around the Church. During the period of Fr. Trincal, sj (1855) the number of Catholics rose from 600 to 2,500 and continued to increase. To accommodate more Catholics the church was extended under Fr. Hippolyte Blanc, sj (1879-1885) and provided with two lofty bell towers in the Roman style.
To make the church more spacious, construction of a new church in Gothic style was planned. The work started with the foundation blessed on the feast of Our Lady of Seven Dolours in 1912. As World War I broke out in 1914, financial aid from Europe got frozen the construction could not be finished according to the original plan. Even to construct a church of smaller size, Fr. Planchard, sj who was the superior then, had to sell a piece of land (the one on which the Mission Hospital stands). The new church was completed in 1916 and Msgr. Faisandier, sj blessed it on 15 August. Everyone was full of praise for Fr. Planchard, sj and Mr. Saverimuthu, the architect who had already established his name in buildiing St. Joseph’s College buildings. The flooring and the rails were completed during the time of Fr. Joly, sj. Later a bell costing 9,000 francs was brought and set up in the tower.
After the dawn of the new diocese of Madurai, its first Bishop Msgr. J.P. Leonard raised St. Mary’s Church to the status of a Pro-Cathedral. In 1936 a beautiful marble altar was donated by Mr. Gaspar Gomez on the occasion of the Golden Jubilee of the priestly ordination of his brother Fr. G.J. Gomez, sj. When Fr. X.M. Adaikalam, sj became parish priest in 1963, he executed the orignal plan for a bigger church with taller towers. During the period of Archbishop Justin Diraviam, the Church of Our Lady of Dolours attained the status of a Cathedral and was handed over to the Archdiocese by virtue of the Decree given by the Sacred Congregation for Religious and Secular Institutes in 1969. The altar was renovated and given a semi-circular shape, and the new rails were fitted during the time of Fr. D. Kulandairaj, sj.
The parish council and the many committees help in the efficient functioning of the parish. The guidelines and rules of the parish council were prepared by Fr. Ignatius Hirudayam, sj who had formed a committee consisting of representatives from the different pious organizations. In 1969 Fr. Dominic Diaz, sj laid the foundation for the parish council according to the norms of Vatican II. Fr. P.S. Arul, sj gave new life to the council by forming a new council in a democratic way electing members to represent the various anbiyams of the parish. He caused the installation of Eucharistic Adoration Chapel and the brass flag pole. There are many committees and pious movements like the one for Sacred Music, for Liaison with people, for Finance which cooperate with the parish council. Among the pious associations that of Vincent de Paul is looking after the Tailoring and Type writing institute. Mrs. Pragasiammal had been sweeping the church for 50 years and she recently retired. Mr. L. Regis has been the master of the parish choir for the past sixty years.
Now, the parish enjoys the services of the religious sisters of CIC and St. Joseph of Lyons. And this parish is being nourished by the activities of Legion of Mary, Vincent de Paul, Mariannai samuga nala mandram, St. Mary’s Youth, St. Mary’s Altar boys, St. Mary’s YSM, Yesuvin Kanmanigal, Family welfare team and Bible society.
The following are the substations of this parish: Saveriayar Savadi; St. Anthony’s church, Palayakuyavar palayam; St. Anthony’s church, Sandai Pettai; St. Joseph’s church, Anupanadi; St. Anthony’s church, Susaiyapperpuram; St. Sebastian’s church, Sebastiyar puram; Velankanni’s church, Kamarajapuram; Velankanni’s church, Pokkuvarathu Nagar; Fathima’s church and Keeraithurai.
Succession of Parish Priests
Fr. J.B. Trincal, sj (1854-). Fr. Planch(year). Fr. G.J. Gomez, sj (1920-41), Fr. Victor Allard, sj (1941-46), Fr. Gnanapragasam, sj (1946-47), Fr. Arul Kulandai Samy, sj (1947-48), Fr. Planchard, sj (1948-49), Fr. Ponur, sj (1949-53), Fr. Maria Michael, sj (1950-56), Fr. Alexander Rayapper, sj (1956-58), Fr. Ignatius Hirudayam, sj (1958-61), Fr. X.M. Adaikalam, sj (1961-68), Fr. Dominic Diaz, sj (1968-70), Fr. A.S. Arockiasamy, sj (1970-74), Fr. D. Kulandairaj, sj (1974-81), Fr. A. Ambrose, sj (1981-86), Fr. M.J. Victor, sj (1986-91), Fr. Eronimus, sj (1991-94), Fr. Joseph Nedungad, sj (1994-98), Fr. S. Arockiaraj, sj (1998-99), Fr. Lawrence Gabriel, sj (1999-2002), Fr. Marivalan, sj (2002-05), Fr. Felix Joseph, sj (2005-08), Fr. Mount Joseph Selvam, sj (2008-10), Fr. P.S Arul, sj (2010-2013), Fr. Arockaim, sj (2013-).
The Church of Our Lady of Dolours
P.Box. 56, Keela Veli Street, Madurai-625 001.
The Church of Our Lady of Dolours, popularly known as St. Mary’s Cathedral, is one of the ancient churches in Tamil Nadu. It is known for its architectural splendour with its magnificent spires rising to the skies. The site on which the present Cathedral stands was bought in 1840 by Fr. Joseph Betrand, sj one of the four pioneers of the New Madurai Mission. In 1841, Fr. Louis Garnier, sj built a small church, 32 feet broad, modelled on the Cathedral of Trichy. He was responsible for resettling thirty Catholic families of Saliers from Puduppatti around the Church. During the period of Fr. Trincal, sj (1855) the number of Catholics rose from 600 to 2,500 and continued to increase. To accommodate more Catholics the church was extended under Fr. Hippolyte Blanc, sj (1879-1885) and provided with two lofty bell towers in the Roman style.
To make the church more spacious, construction of a new church in Gothic style was planned. The work started with the foundation blessed on the feast of Our Lady of Seven Dolours in 1912. As World War I broke out in 1914, financial aid from Europe got frozen the construction could not be finished according to the original plan. Even to construct a church of smaller size, Fr. Planchard, sj who was the superior then, had to sell a piece of land (the one on which the Mission Hospital stands). The new church was completed in 1916 and Msgr. Faisandier, sj blessed it on 15 August. Everyone was full of praise for Fr. Planchard, sj and Mr. Saverimuthu, the architect who had already established his name in buildiing St. Joseph’s College buildings. The flooring and the rails were completed during the time of Fr. Joly, sj. Later a bell costing 9,000 francs was brought and set up in the tower.
After the dawn of the new diocese of Madurai, its first Bishop Msgr. J.P. Leonard raised St. Mary’s Church to the status of a Pro-Cathedral. In 1936 a beautiful marble altar was donated by Mr. Gaspar Gomez on the occasion of the Golden Jubilee of the priestly ordination of his brother Fr. G.J. Gomez, sj. When Fr. X.M. Adaikalam, sj became parish priest in 1963, he executed the orignal plan for a bigger church with taller towers. During the period of Archbishop Justin Diraviam, the Church of Our Lady of Dolours attained the status of a Cathedral and was handed over to the Archdiocese by virtue of the Decree given by the Sacred Congregation for Religious and Secular Institutes in 1969. The altar was renovated and given a semi-circular shape, and the new rails were fitted during the time of Fr. D. Kulandairaj, sj.
The parish council and the many committees help in the efficient functioning of the parish. The guidelines and rules of the parish council were prepared by Fr. Ignatius Hirudayam, sj who had formed a committee consisting of representatives from the different pious organizations. In 1969 Fr. Dominic Diaz, sj laid the foundation for the parish council according to the norms of Vatican II. Fr. P.S. Arul, sj gave new life to the council by forming a new council in a democratic way electing members to represent the various anbiyams of the parish. He caused the installation of Eucharistic Adoration Chapel and the brass flag pole. There are many committees and pious movements like the one for Sacred Music, for Liaison with people, for Finance which cooperate with the parish council. Among the pious associations that of Vincent de Paul is looking after the Tailoring and Type writing institute. Mrs. Pragasiammal had been sweeping the church for 50 years and she recently retired. Mr. L. Regis has been the master of the parish choir for the past sixty years.
Now, the parish enjoys the services of the religious sisters of CIC and St. Joseph of Lyons. And this parish is being nourished by the activities of Legion of Mary, Vincent de Paul, Mariannai samuga nala mandram, St. Mary’s Youth, St. Mary’s Altar boys, St. Mary’s YSM, Yesuvin Kanmanigal, Family welfare team and Bible society.
The following are the substations of this parish: Saveriayar Savadi; St. Anthony’s church, Palayakuyavar palayam; St. Anthony’s church, Sandai Pettai; St. Joseph’s church, Anupanadi; St. Anthony’s church, Susaiyapperpuram; St. Sebastian’s church, Sebastiyar puram; Velankanni’s church, Kamarajapuram; Velankanni’s church, Pokkuvarathu Nagar; Fathima’s church and Keeraithurai.
Succession of Parish Priests
Fr. J.B. Trincal, sj (1854-). Fr. Planch(year). Fr. G.J. Gomez, sj (1920-41), Fr. Victor Allard, sj (1941-46), Fr. Gnanapragasam, sj (1946-47), Fr. Arul Kulandai Samy, sj (1947-48), Fr. Planchard, sj (1948-49), Fr. Ponur, sj (1949-53), Fr. Maria Michael, sj (1950-56), Fr. Alexander Rayapper, sj (1956-58), Fr. Ignatius Hirudayam, sj (1958-61), Fr. X.M. Adaikalam, sj (1961-68), Fr. Dominic Diaz, sj (1968-70), Fr. A.S. Arockiasamy, sj (1970-74), Fr. D. Kulandairaj, sj (1974-81), Fr. A. Ambrose, sj (1981-86), Fr. M.J. Victor, sj (1986-91), Fr. Eronimus, sj (1991-94), Fr. Joseph Nedungad, sj (1994-98), Fr. S. Arockiaraj, sj (1998-99), Fr. Lawrence Gabriel, sj (1999-2002), Fr. Marivalan, sj (2002-05), Fr. Felix Joseph, sj (2005-08), Fr. Mount Joseph Selvam, sj (2008-10), Fr. P.S Arul, sj (2010-2013), Fr. Arockaim, sj (2013-).
