Basilica of Our Lady of Snows, Thoothukudi

Coordinates: 8°47′58″N 78°09′23″E / 8.799444°N 78.156389°E / 8.799444; 78.156389
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Basilica of Our Lady of Snows, Thoothukudi
Map
8°47′58″N 78°09′23″E / 8.799444°N 78.156389°E / 8.799444; 78.156389
LocationThoothukudi, Tamil Nadu
CountryIndia
DenominationCatholic
Websitewww.snowsbasilica.com
History
StatusBasilica
Founded16th century
DedicationSt. Mary
Architecture
Functional statusActive
StylePortuguese
Administration
DistrictTuticorin
DioceseTuticorin
Clergy
Bishop(s)Most. Rev. Dr.Stephen Anthony.
RectorRev. Dr. Kumar Raja
Assistant priest(s)Rev. Fr. Kingston

Basilica of Our Lady of Snows, Thoothukudi, is located at Thoothukudi, Tamil Nadu, India. It is one of the Catholic pilgrimage centers in India dedicated to the Our Lady of Snows, a title given to Mother Mary. The shrine name refers to the Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore in Rome. The site is known for Portuguese architecture and Portuguese prayers and now it is recognised as a Tamil Nadu notable pilgrim site.

History[edit]

The St. Paul chapel in Thoothukudi was built in 1548 and renovated in 1582, when the statue of Mother Mary was installed. In 1713, a new basilica was built and consecrated, which would become the Basilica of Our Lady of Snows.[1]

The first of the notable festivals that take place at the church began in 1720, when Paravar elites ordered the construction of a golden car for the Mother Mary statue and a ten-day festival. That car was used until 1806, with the construction of the present car that is still used today.[2]

Basilica of Our Lady of Snows - TOWER VIEW

Notable Parish Priests[edit]

Servant of God Rev Fr. Antony Soosainather

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ Joseph, Sandra (2024). Chathanatt, John (ed.). Christianity. Springer Netherlands. p. 18.
  2. ^ Bayly, Susan (1989). Saints, Goddesses And Kings - Muslims and Christians in South Indian Society, 1700-1900. Cambridge University Press. p. 343.
The Golden Car Procession of the Lady of Snows

External links[edit]