Infant Jesus’ Church
Usilampatti, Peraiyur Road, Madurai-Dt. - 625 532.
The Parish of Usilampatti is one of the oldest parishes in the Archdiocese of Madurai. Till 1930, it was a substation to the parish of Samyanallur and till the middle of 1934, it was a substation to the parish of Valanthur. In 1934, usilampatti was made as a parish and valanthur became the substation of Usilampatti. In 1867, Fr. Trincal, s.j. was sent here to plant the seed of the good news. He bought the land and built a small chapel which was dedicated to Infant Jesus. In the beginning, there were only six catholic families. A catechist, Arulappan, was instrumental in bringing grace to thousands of dying children through baptism Fr. Isidore prince, s.j., was sent to this Kallar mission. Because of his friendly approach to kallars, he won them for christ. He was called as “the prince of kallars”. Fr. Clement Montaud, s.j. a french missionary jesuit, came to this parish in 1934. He was called as “the Apostle of kallars”. He extended the small chapel as a parish church and built schools and chapels in all the substations. He gave the parish land to the government to built the hospital near the church. Since the parish was so vast, usilampatti had given birth to two more parshes: Thirumangalam and Karumathur.
Geographical Location of the parish:
Usilampatti is located in the Madurai district 40 km away from the west of Madurai district 40 km away from the west of Madurai. It is situated to the east of Theni Vicariate, to its north “Batlagundu Vicariate,” to its east, “Madurai south vicariate”, to its south, “Virudhunagar and Srivilliputhur Vicariates”. Usilampatti parish has 8 mission substations with small churches; vadugapatty – 7 km – Our Lady of Sorrows, Kattakarupanpatty – 10km – Arch angel Michael, Perugamanallur – 15 km – Sacred Heart of Jesus, P. Chettiapatti – 16 km – St. Francis Xavier, Keezha – Thirumanickam – 20 km – St. Joseph’s, Peraiyur – 25 km – St. Antony’s, Sempatti – 30 km – Our Lady of Lourdes and Kanavai – 11 km – Our Lady of Vailankanni.
Infant Jesus Church :
Since the Old Church, extended by Fr. Clement montaud, s.j. in 1934, was too small for the larger attendance on Sundays and feast days and all the more it was in a dilapidated condition, there was a long felt need for a new parish church. Fr. M. Sawarimuthu felt that the present land was narrow and nuisance of two busy main roads and the worst of all, the bad smell and an healthy atmosphere of the government hospital, he wanted to buy a new land and build a new parish church either to madurai or Theni main Road. But the catholics in the Parish opposed to his proposal and stood adament. Fr. Vedamanickam took effort and built the new church with the foreign aid from the propagation of the faith, Rome and the help from the Archdiocese of madurai and the generous contribution of the local people and benefactors. The Parish had a property (land) at katakarupanpatty. The property was sold and the amount was used for building the new church. The former archbishop, Arockiasmay D.D., opened and blessed in 1996 and the next year he blessed the new presbytery. Fr. Joseph erected the new flagpole in 2010. Though the church is dedicated to Infant Jesus the people celebrate the feast of our lady of Fatima in the month of october as the parish feast.
P. Chettiapatti : St. Francis Xavier Church :
P. Chettiapatti is the big substation of Usilampatti. There are forty Catholic families. They are dalit christians. There is a middle school and an orphange for poor boys and girls, looked after by the D.M.I. Sisters. In the month of may, they celebrate the feast of St. Francis Xavier in a grand manner. Since the church was old and in ruins, the people of the village took effort and renovated and extended the church which was opened and blessed by the most. Rev. Dr. Peter Fernando in 2013. There are some government teachers. But all the others depend on the rain for their livelihood.
Kanavai : Our Lady of Vailankanni
It is an important shrine, situated 11 km from Usilampatti to Theni main road, near the railway gate. It was belived that our Mother Mary helped with a miraculous wonder to escape from a massive accident in that place. Mr. Chandrabose, a devotee of Mother Mary, built a kurusady to Our Lady of Vailankanni in 1981 and to St. Antony of Paduva in 2002. He gave its right to the parish priest. Since the chapel is on the main road and the place is very peaceful and conducive for prayers the people who travel in the vehicles, stop for a while and pray to our mother mary. Fr. Eddy constructed the stage and the steps to climb to the cross in the mountain. Fr. Joseph renovated the church with the help from local donars in 2012. Since many people come there to thank and pray to the lord through our mother mary, there is a need to build a kitchen and a hall to sit and eat together. Fr. Joseph built an Annai Vailankanni pilgrims centre with the generous help of the pilgrims and it was opened and blessed by Fr. John martin, sacor dotal silver jubilarian in 2013.
Not only catholics, but also all the christian denominations and hindus, muslims join together for the feast of Vailankanni in the month of September. Every year, on the fourth Sunday of the lent, the theni vicariate fathers, religious brothers and sisters and the people come as pilgirms and make the pious practice of the way of the cross and then the holy mass, concelebrated by the arch bishop of madurai. It is indeed a great celebration. In all the other substations, there are only 10 or 8 catholic families. They are dalit christians.
Today’s life situation of the people :
The people of this area are classified as kallars (thieves,the denotified communities) by the government because of their habitual plundering and snatching of things. When Fr. Clement montard, sj, came to this mission, he felt the need of their education, employment and economical development in the society. He built school in all the substations and specially started the kallar reclamation schools to give education to all the children. He fought with the government and got various developmental projects and sanctions to the people. Since the sisters of St. Joseph of Lyons worked for the develpment of the female in the society through education and social developmental schemes, many women have studied and now work in the government. At present, the people concentrate in their children’s education and the society has come up in various fields. There are many teachers. Government employees and business men in the society.
But the governmental projects are used only by the hindu kallars. When they become christians they are not given any benefits from the government. It strongly disturbs or stops the conversion of kallars to christianity.
Religious in the Parish :
1. St. Joseph of Lyons, Usilampatti.
They have R.C. Little flower girls Hr. Sec. School at Usilampatti and two primary schools.
They run a paid hostel for girls.
They work for the aids affected persons and children through social service.
2. D.M.I. Sisters, P. Chettiapatti
They have an orphange for boys and girls. St. Jospeh’s Home for children.
Institutions under the Parish Priest
1. R.C. Middle School-P.Chettiapatti
2. R.C. Primary School-Sempatti.
Pariapatory Structures / associations in the Pairsh
1. Anbiams : Saveriar Anbiam, Royappar Anbiam, Sinnapar Anbiam, Kulandai Yesu Anbiam and Arockia Matha Anbiam.
2. Altar boys, Choir Class, Vincent de Paul Society in Usilampatti and P. Chettiapatti Legion of Mary.
Usilampatti has been an important centre in the Madurai Mission. In 1867 the district Jesuit Superior Fr. Saint Cyr, sj gave Fr. Trincal, sj Rs.100/- and asked him to go to the region of Kallars (Usilampatti) to sow the seed of Good News. Fr. Trincal bought the ground on which the present church dedicated to the Holy Family stands.
In the beginning there were no Christians here except two families of Agamudiars and four belonging to the Scheduled Caste. There was a catechist called Arulappan who was instrumental in bringing arul (Grace) to thousands of dying children through baptism. Of this Fr. Leon Besse, sj writes in 1913: “Will not the prayers of these small angels move God to pity so that one day the torch of true religion may enlighten their unfortunate country? The importance of this station has not escaped the attention of the superiors. They are anxious to found a mission there. Want of men and money alone has prevented them from realizing this desire.”
The kindly disposition of Kallars was attended to by Fr. Peter Martin, sj who visited Ariappatti, a sub-station of Usilampatti in 1700. When he and his companions were resting under a tree a little away from the village, the headman and some villagers came to him and with great joy asked him to stay with them. On his expressing his inability to stop the journey, they sent rice, vegetables, fruits and milk for the father and his companions. When they were about to leave, womenfolk requested him to send some missionary first to rebuild the church of Ariappatti (ruined a few years ago when the prince of Madurai destroyed the fortress) and to instruct their people with the word of God. Fr. Peter Martin assured them he would soon send a priest. They were pleased and provided him with guides to lead him in his journey.
Such a kind natured people were denigrated by the British Government as a criminal caste because of their habitual plundering and cattle lifting. It is to such a people that Fr. Isidore Prince, sj was sent in 1908. He visited all the villages and because of his friendly approach, he won their goodwill and he was called ‘the prince of Kallars.’
Fr. Clement Montard, sj followed him and worked for nine years, putting up chapels and schools, building up parish associations. To invite them to the Gospel way of life he organized musical recitals called ‘Kada Kalachebam.’
For very many years the sisters of St. Joseph of Lyons have been serving the Kallar community here. They run a social service society, a crèche for foundlings and a medical unit from which 25 to 40 persons get daily medical aid. They look after a Grihini school for young girls. Three days a week two sisters go to visit 15 villages for direct evangelization. There is the Little Flower Primary school going on from 1934, and the Middle School which was made High School in 1987. They have also an orphanage for 110 girls.
This parish enjoys the services of the DMI Sisters and St. Joseph of Lyons.Moreover, this parish is being nourished by the activities of Pastoral Council, Legion of Mary, Altar boys and girls.
The following are the substations of this parish:Our Lady of Sorrows(Vadagupatti), Archangel Michael(Kattakaruppanpatti), Sacred Heart(Perungamanallur), St. Francis Xavier(P. Chettiapatti), St. Joseph’s(Keezhathirumanickam), St. Antony’s(Periyur), Our Lady of Lourdes(Sembatti) and Our Lady of Veilankanni(Kanavai).
Succession of Parish Priests
Fr. L.M. Labarthire, sj (1881), Fr. H.J. Planchard, sj (1883), Fr. Darrievtor, sj (1886), Fr. L.M. Tabre, sj (1892), Dr. Diederich, sj (1893), Fr. Mariadoss, sj (1897), Fr. J. Pages, sj (1898), Fr. E. Jolan, sj (1907), Fr. J.L. Jrotin, sj (1908), Fr. J.M. Prince, sj (1908), Fr. Appavoo, sj (1914), Fr. R. Gnanapiragasam, sj (1922), Fr. I. Prince, sj (1924), Fr. C.J. Montaurd, sj (1930), Fr. V. Michael(1947), Fr. S. Aricatt, sj (1952), Fr. A. Irudayam (1958), Fr. P. Joseph (1964), Fr. R. Soosai (1965), Fr. Mathias ofm, cap(1970), Fr. Joachim ofm, cap (1970), Fr. V.M. Joseph, sj (1973), Fr. S.R. Ignatius (1981), Fr. N.A. Manuel (1983), Fr. A. Aruldoss (1984), Fr. N.P. Alphonse (1987), Fr. M. Savarimuthu (1988), Fr. A. Vedamanickam (1994), Fr. J. Charles Heston (1998), Fr. N. Rex Peter (2004), Fr. S. Cyprian (2006), Fr. S. Eddy Dharmanand (2007), Fr. A. Joseph Arockia Raj (2010-)
Usilampatti, Peraiyur Road, Madurai-Dt. - 625 532.
The Parish of Usilampatti is one of the oldest parishes in the Archdiocese of Madurai. Till 1930, it was a substation to the parish of Samyanallur and till the middle of 1934, it was a substation to the parish of Valanthur. In 1934, usilampatti was made as a parish and valanthur became the substation of Usilampatti. In 1867, Fr. Trincal, s.j. was sent here to plant the seed of the good news. He bought the land and built a small chapel which was dedicated to Infant Jesus. In the beginning, there were only six catholic families. A catechist, Arulappan, was instrumental in bringing grace to thousands of dying children through baptism Fr. Isidore prince, s.j., was sent to this Kallar mission. Because of his friendly approach to kallars, he won them for christ. He was called as “the prince of kallars”. Fr. Clement Montaud, s.j. a french missionary jesuit, came to this parish in 1934. He was called as “the Apostle of kallars”. He extended the small chapel as a parish church and built schools and chapels in all the substations. He gave the parish land to the government to built the hospital near the church. Since the parish was so vast, usilampatti had given birth to two more parshes: Thirumangalam and Karumathur.
Geographical Location of the parish:
Usilampatti is located in the Madurai district 40 km away from the west of Madurai district 40 km away from the west of Madurai. It is situated to the east of Theni Vicariate, to its north “Batlagundu Vicariate,” to its east, “Madurai south vicariate”, to its south, “Virudhunagar and Srivilliputhur Vicariates”. Usilampatti parish has 8 mission substations with small churches; vadugapatty – 7 km – Our Lady of Sorrows, Kattakarupanpatty – 10km – Arch angel Michael, Perugamanallur – 15 km – Sacred Heart of Jesus, P. Chettiapatti – 16 km – St. Francis Xavier, Keezha – Thirumanickam – 20 km – St. Joseph’s, Peraiyur – 25 km – St. Antony’s, Sempatti – 30 km – Our Lady of Lourdes and Kanavai – 11 km – Our Lady of Vailankanni.
Infant Jesus Church :
Since the Old Church, extended by Fr. Clement montaud, s.j. in 1934, was too small for the larger attendance on Sundays and feast days and all the more it was in a dilapidated condition, there was a long felt need for a new parish church. Fr. M. Sawarimuthu felt that the present land was narrow and nuisance of two busy main roads and the worst of all, the bad smell and an healthy atmosphere of the government hospital, he wanted to buy a new land and build a new parish church either to madurai or Theni main Road. But the catholics in the Parish opposed to his proposal and stood adament. Fr. Vedamanickam took effort and built the new church with the foreign aid from the propagation of the faith, Rome and the help from the Archdiocese of madurai and the generous contribution of the local people and benefactors. The Parish had a property (land) at katakarupanpatty. The property was sold and the amount was used for building the new church. The former archbishop, Arockiasmay D.D., opened and blessed in 1996 and the next year he blessed the new presbytery. Fr. Joseph erected the new flagpole in 2010. Though the church is dedicated to Infant Jesus the people celebrate the feast of our lady of Fatima in the month of october as the parish feast.
P. Chettiapatti : St. Francis Xavier Church :
P. Chettiapatti is the big substation of Usilampatti. There are forty Catholic families. They are dalit christians. There is a middle school and an orphange for poor boys and girls, looked after by the D.M.I. Sisters. In the month of may, they celebrate the feast of St. Francis Xavier in a grand manner. Since the church was old and in ruins, the people of the village took effort and renovated and extended the church which was opened and blessed by the most. Rev. Dr. Peter Fernando in 2013. There are some government teachers. But all the others depend on the rain for their livelihood.
Kanavai : Our Lady of Vailankanni
It is an important shrine, situated 11 km from Usilampatti to Theni main road, near the railway gate. It was belived that our Mother Mary helped with a miraculous wonder to escape from a massive accident in that place. Mr. Chandrabose, a devotee of Mother Mary, built a kurusady to Our Lady of Vailankanni in 1981 and to St. Antony of Paduva in 2002. He gave its right to the parish priest. Since the chapel is on the main road and the place is very peaceful and conducive for prayers the people who travel in the vehicles, stop for a while and pray to our mother mary. Fr. Eddy constructed the stage and the steps to climb to the cross in the mountain. Fr. Joseph renovated the church with the help from local donars in 2012. Since many people come there to thank and pray to the lord through our mother mary, there is a need to build a kitchen and a hall to sit and eat together. Fr. Joseph built an Annai Vailankanni pilgrims centre with the generous help of the pilgrims and it was opened and blessed by Fr. John martin, sacor dotal silver jubilarian in 2013.
Not only catholics, but also all the christian denominations and hindus, muslims join together for the feast of Vailankanni in the month of September. Every year, on the fourth Sunday of the lent, the theni vicariate fathers, religious brothers and sisters and the people come as pilgirms and make the pious practice of the way of the cross and then the holy mass, concelebrated by the arch bishop of madurai. It is indeed a great celebration. In all the other substations, there are only 10 or 8 catholic families. They are dalit christians.
Today’s life situation of the people :
The people of this area are classified as kallars (thieves,the denotified communities) by the government because of their habitual plundering and snatching of things. When Fr. Clement montard, sj, came to this mission, he felt the need of their education, employment and economical development in the society. He built school in all the substations and specially started the kallar reclamation schools to give education to all the children. He fought with the government and got various developmental projects and sanctions to the people. Since the sisters of St. Joseph of Lyons worked for the develpment of the female in the society through education and social developmental schemes, many women have studied and now work in the government. At present, the people concentrate in their children’s education and the society has come up in various fields. There are many teachers. Government employees and business men in the society.
But the governmental projects are used only by the hindu kallars. When they become christians they are not given any benefits from the government. It strongly disturbs or stops the conversion of kallars to christianity.
Religious in the Parish :
1. St. Joseph of Lyons, Usilampatti.
They have R.C. Little flower girls Hr. Sec. School at Usilampatti and two primary schools.
They run a paid hostel for girls.
They work for the aids affected persons and children through social service.
2. D.M.I. Sisters, P. Chettiapatti
They have an orphange for boys and girls. St. Jospeh’s Home for children.
Institutions under the Parish Priest
1. R.C. Middle School-P.Chettiapatti
2. R.C. Primary School-Sempatti.
Pariapatory Structures / associations in the Pairsh
1. Anbiams : Saveriar Anbiam, Royappar Anbiam, Sinnapar Anbiam, Kulandai Yesu Anbiam and Arockia Matha Anbiam.
2. Altar boys, Choir Class, Vincent de Paul Society in Usilampatti and P. Chettiapatti Legion of Mary.
Usilampatti has been an important centre in the Madurai Mission. In 1867 the district Jesuit Superior Fr. Saint Cyr, sj gave Fr. Trincal, sj Rs.100/- and asked him to go to the region of Kallars (Usilampatti) to sow the seed of Good News. Fr. Trincal bought the ground on which the present church dedicated to the Holy Family stands.
In the beginning there were no Christians here except two families of Agamudiars and four belonging to the Scheduled Caste. There was a catechist called Arulappan who was instrumental in bringing arul (Grace) to thousands of dying children through baptism. Of this Fr. Leon Besse, sj writes in 1913: “Will not the prayers of these small angels move God to pity so that one day the torch of true religion may enlighten their unfortunate country? The importance of this station has not escaped the attention of the superiors. They are anxious to found a mission there. Want of men and money alone has prevented them from realizing this desire.”
The kindly disposition of Kallars was attended to by Fr. Peter Martin, sj who visited Ariappatti, a sub-station of Usilampatti in 1700. When he and his companions were resting under a tree a little away from the village, the headman and some villagers came to him and with great joy asked him to stay with them. On his expressing his inability to stop the journey, they sent rice, vegetables, fruits and milk for the father and his companions. When they were about to leave, womenfolk requested him to send some missionary first to rebuild the church of Ariappatti (ruined a few years ago when the prince of Madurai destroyed the fortress) and to instruct their people with the word of God. Fr. Peter Martin assured them he would soon send a priest. They were pleased and provided him with guides to lead him in his journey.
Such a kind natured people were denigrated by the British Government as a criminal caste because of their habitual plundering and cattle lifting. It is to such a people that Fr. Isidore Prince, sj was sent in 1908. He visited all the villages and because of his friendly approach, he won their goodwill and he was called ‘the prince of Kallars.’
Fr. Clement Montard, sj followed him and worked for nine years, putting up chapels and schools, building up parish associations. To invite them to the Gospel way of life he organized musical recitals called ‘Kada Kalachebam.’
For very many years the sisters of St. Joseph of Lyons have been serving the Kallar community here. They run a social service society, a crèche for foundlings and a medical unit from which 25 to 40 persons get daily medical aid. They look after a Grihini school for young girls. Three days a week two sisters go to visit 15 villages for direct evangelization. There is the Little Flower Primary school going on from 1934, and the Middle School which was made High School in 1987. They have also an orphanage for 110 girls.
This parish enjoys the services of the DMI Sisters and St. Joseph of Lyons.Moreover, this parish is being nourished by the activities of Pastoral Council, Legion of Mary, Altar boys and girls.
The following are the substations of this parish:Our Lady of Sorrows(Vadagupatti), Archangel Michael(Kattakaruppanpatti), Sacred Heart(Perungamanallur), St. Francis Xavier(P. Chettiapatti), St. Joseph’s(Keezhathirumanickam), St. Antony’s(Periyur), Our Lady of Lourdes(Sembatti) and Our Lady of Veilankanni(Kanavai).
Succession of Parish Priests
Fr. L.M. Labarthire, sj (1881), Fr. H.J. Planchard, sj (1883), Fr. Darrievtor, sj (1886), Fr. L.M. Tabre, sj (1892), Dr. Diederich, sj (1893), Fr. Mariadoss, sj (1897), Fr. J. Pages, sj (1898), Fr. E. Jolan, sj (1907), Fr. J.L. Jrotin, sj (1908), Fr. J.M. Prince, sj (1908), Fr. Appavoo, sj (1914), Fr. R. Gnanapiragasam, sj (1922), Fr. I. Prince, sj (1924), Fr. C.J. Montaurd, sj (1930), Fr. V. Michael(1947), Fr. S. Aricatt, sj (1952), Fr. A. Irudayam (1958), Fr. P. Joseph (1964), Fr. R. Soosai (1965), Fr. Mathias ofm, cap(1970), Fr. Joachim ofm, cap (1970), Fr. V.M. Joseph, sj (1973), Fr. S.R. Ignatius (1981), Fr. N.A. Manuel (1983), Fr. A. Aruldoss (1984), Fr. N.P. Alphonse (1987), Fr. M. Savarimuthu (1988), Fr. A. Vedamanickam (1994), Fr. J. Charles Heston (1998), Fr. N. Rex Peter (2004), Fr. S. Cyprian (2006), Fr. S. Eddy Dharmanand (2007), Fr. A. Joseph Arockia Raj (2010-)