OUR LADY OF SNOW CHURCH
AT
TUTICURIN
Our lady of snow church is located in Tuticurin in the state of Tamilnadu.In
fact, Our Lady of Snows, is fondly called in Portuguese senhora, Das Nevis
which means Our Lady of Snows.
She has been given the unique
title of Yelu Kadalthurai, Yega Adikala Thai in Tamil which means the Mother of
Refuge for the seven major coastal villages, viz Vembar, Vaippar, Thoothukudi (Snows
Basilica, Tuticorin), Punnaikayal, Virapandianpatinam, Thiruchendur and Manapad
(Thoothukkudi District).
Our
Lady of Snows Shrine Basilica (Snows Basilica) at Tuticorin is a renowned
shrine of virgin Mary stood up at seashore in the year 1582. Here we bring you
all the features about our shrine basilica and its services.
We welcome all people to visit this legendary
shrine and get the blessings of Mother Mary. We describe the features of the
church and bring you important ceremony.
The origin of the
holy rosary has a rich history that continues to bring peace to peoples lives.
The word rosary itself comes from the Latin word rosarium, which means rose
garden or garland of roses.
When you pray the Rosary it is like taking a
peaceful walk through Mary’s rose garden. A garden filled
The beautiful statue of Our Lady of Snows has always been looked upon as
a miraculous one, as many miracles are said to have occurred in the Shrine from
the time of its installation at St. Pauls Church, Tuticorin
The Shrine Basilica of Our Lady of Snows is fascine East; constructed in
the Portuguese architecture; it houses the celebrated and miraculous statue of
Our Lady of Snows, most beautifully carved out of wood and hence it is a great
piece of art. Thus the Shrine Basilica of Our Lady of Snows deserves to be
called a Basilica in the true sense of the word!
In 1982, when the Church of Our Lady of Snows
celebrated the 400th anniversary, Pope John Paul II raised it to the status of
Basillica through his apostolic letter Pervenute illa Dei Beatissimae
Genitricis Effigies dated 30th July 1982.
It is the greatest honor for a church to be
raised to the status of a Basilica. The Greek word Basilica signifies a Royal
Hall. In course of time, this word has come to mean a large and beautiful hall.
In ancient times, the whole World in general and Rome in particular, erected
large halls for administrative purposes. The first hall bearing the name of
Basilica existed in Athens. But after the fall of Greeks, the Romans
popularized it.
It was Julius Caesar who artistically constructed the hall of
Basilica Julia for administrative purposes. They are somewhat similar to the
Durbar Halls in ancient Indian places.
Christ being the king and His Church being
His Audience the larger Christian Churches in Rome, came to be called
Basilicas. Naturally these Basilicas were large, roomy, bright and ornamental.
Today, for a church to be raised to the
status of Basilica certain conditions are to be fulfilled.The Church, usually
is built with front facing the east.Generally it is built in one of the
classical styles of architecture.
It should contain some works of art or house
the body of a Saint or a celebrated statue venerated in the land or it should
be a place of pilgrimage
By Air
Nearest
Air Port at Vagaikulam 14 kms from Thoothukudi. Daily Flight to Chennai
By Rail
Connected
to Chennai, Mysore, Bangalore, Tirunelveli, and Tiruchendur.
By Road
Good
connectivity by Road. Frequent bus services to all important
places.
