VELANKANNI CHURCH
AT
CHENNAI
Velankanni Church, also called as the
'Mecca of the Christians', is one of the beautiful churches located at Eliot's
beach in Besant Nagar. The principal shrine of this Velankanni church is Mother
Mary and she is also prayed and worshipped by the people as the Lady of Health.
And though, it is known as the 'Mecca of Christians' people of all different
castes crowd in the feet of the Virgin Mary to receive her blessings
Vailankanni is fondly known as the 'Lourdes of the East' because like
Lourdes in France, millions of pilgrims visit the Shrine throughout the year,
praying to Our Lady for various needs and thanking her for the favors received
through her intercession.
Tradition recounts that Mother Mary appeared with the Infant Jesus in this small hamlet at the end of the 16th or in the early 17th century. Ever since, Vailankanni is the most important destination and almost the synthesis of all Marian Sanctuaries for the pilgrims of the world.
The crowds of pilgrims come here regardless of creeds and languages. Our Lady of Vailankanni devotions down through the centuries have proved the Shrine to be of divine origin and has assumed international character. Mary, the focus of unity at Vailankanni, is a clear proof of international, multicultural, and religious harmony.
Tradition recounts that Mother Mary appeared with the Infant Jesus in this small hamlet at the end of the 16th or in the early 17th century. Ever since, Vailankanni is the most important destination and almost the synthesis of all Marian Sanctuaries for the pilgrims of the world.
The crowds of pilgrims come here regardless of creeds and languages. Our Lady of Vailankanni devotions down through the centuries have proved the Shrine to be of divine origin and has assumed international character. Mary, the focus of unity at Vailankanni, is a clear proof of international, multicultural, and religious harmony.
The
Shrine is kept open from 5.00 a.m. morning to 9.00 p.m. evening
Daily
Services
5:45
a.m. Holy Mass in Tamil
6:45
a.m. High Mass in Tamil
9:00
a.m. Holy Mass in Malayalam
10:00
a.m. Holy Mass in English
12:00
a.m. Holy Mass in Tamil
6:00
p.m. Novena Prayers, Rosary, Evening prayers.
6:30
p.m. Holy Mass in Tamil.
Annual
Feast Of Our Lady Of Health, Vailankanni
Celebrated from 29th August to 8th September - 8th September the Birth Day of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
More than 20 lakh pilgrims from all the corners of India and from other Countries throng the Shrine.
Holy Mass is celebrated in six languages, fourteen times a day during the Feast.
Car Procession of Our Lady of Health, takes place at 8.00 p.m.
Everyday hoisting of the Our Lady's flag, takes place at 12.00 noon.
The Grand Annual Feast commences with the hoisting of Our Lady's Flag at 6.30 p.m. on 29th August. The Bishop of Thanjavur is the main celebrant on this day.
The Feast concludes with the dismounting of Our Lady's Flag at 6.00 p.m. on 8th September. The Rector & Parish Priest is the main celebrant on the concluding Mass.
The Feast Mass is celebrated on 8th September at 6.15 a.m. in the Shrine open-air auditorium, presided over by the Bishop of Thanjavur.
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