Showing posts with label Kuravilangad. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Kuravilangad. Show all posts

Monday, January 22, 2018

Kuravilangad Marth Mariam Church made Major Archiepiscopal Archdeacon Pilgrim Center

St Mary's (Marth Mariam) Syro-Malabar Catholic Forane Church at Kuravilangad in the Diocese of Pala in central Kerala, which is one of the oldest Nasrani Churches in India and a famous pilgrim center in the state, is elevated to the highest degree and is renamed as ''Major Archiepiscopal Archdeacon Pilgrim Church' by the Syro-Malabar Bishops' Synod held recently. The official declaration about this was made by the Major Arch-Bishop of the Church, Cardinal George Alencherry after the blessings of the beautifully renovated Church on 21st January, 2018. With this announcement, this Holy global Pilgrim Centre dedicated to the Mother of God becomes the first Church in the Syro Malabar rite to get this rarest title.

Marth Mariam Church at Kuravilangad possesses many historical and traditional values. This is one of the rarest Churches in the world (like the one in Lourdes in France) where the site for the construction of the building was shown by none other than the Blessed Mother of the Saviour of the humanity who is affectionately and devotionally called as 'Muthiamma'! Ever since the creation of the Church in the first century, it has been serving as a place of solace for the numerous people who throng this Pilgrim Center without any discrimination of caste, creed, religion, region or position. 

After officially announcing the decision of the Bishops' Synod in the presence of Bishops Mar Joseph Kallarangatt, Mar Joseph Srampickal and Mar Joseph Pallickaparambil and the vicar Rev Dr Joseph Thadathil and many other Priests, nuns and a great multitude of faithful, the Cardinal Mar Alencherry said that Kuravilangad is the Jerusalem of the St Thomas Christians (Nasrani) of India. 

The annual festival of the Pilgrim Center is celebrated with great pomp and gaiety. The feast is clubbed with a 3 days fasting known as moonnu nombu, every year on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday 3 weeks before the starting of the holy season of lent. This year they are observed on 22nd, 23rd and 24th January, 2018.

Out of the many attractions including the ancient and magnificent art works that announce the history and heritage of the Church, the Relic of the Holy Cross (on which Lord Jesus died), the water spring created by Muthi Amma (that never runs dry) and the great Church bell (which is the biggest in the whole of Asia) all stand as the culmination of Charms. The water from the spring which is available for the public to drink on Sundays and Fridays is a guaranteed cure for any illness (however incurable they are), if taken with faith in the Mother of Christ.

Holy Mass Timings:

The Church is equipped with sufficient number of Priests to cater to the spiritual needs of an enrolled membership of more than 3000 families and an uncountable number of visiting pilgrims daily. Holy Masses and other Sacraments specially the Sacrament of reconciliation are performed throughout the day. Please check for the Holy Mass Timings here.

Please make a visit to this Pilgrim Church when ever possible and direct your friends and others who are in dire need of the Mother's help.