shepherds

“And I will give you shepherds after my own heart, who will feed you with knowledge and understanding.” (Jeremiah 3:15)

Rev. Fr. E. Arulappa

Rector & Parish Priest
Date of Birth : 25-February-1960
Date of Ordination : 27-April-1986

Ever since assuming office in May 2025, he has been instrumental in bringing back more devotions. Inspite of all the strenuous responsibilities, he can be seen praying before every Mass he officiates. He listens to every pilgrim patiently and counsels them.

Rev. Fr. P.A. Francis Xavier

Administrator
Date of Birth : 11-January-1977
Date of Ordination : 19-April-2009

He is a very zealous Pastor with a strong prayerful insight. This led him to conduct Spiritual Retreats for faithful and leading the worship and adoration of the Lord in the Blessed Sacrament at many places. Holding a Dual Masters Degree in Physics and Arts and a qualified Educator with PGDCA. He has conducted several Seminars for the benefit of people. His diversified experience brings in a new approach in Shrine Administration. He is deeply involved in helping the poor and needy, especially educating many children.

Fr. Michael Duraisamy

Assistant Parish Priest
Date of Birth : 28 December 1986

Date of Ordination : 22 August 2017

A dedicated Guanellian Priest who follows the motto “Gospel for the Poor”. His special interest
is to serve the children with special needs and differently abled. He strives to ensure to be a true
witness to Christ’s teachings. He belongs to the Congregation of the Servants of Charity ,
popularly known as the Guanellian Family. He is also known to be a good Confessor

Rev. Fr. Alex Sagayaraj

Assistant Parish Priest
Date of Birth : 14 November 1990

Date of Ordination : 12-December-2020

A committed and cheerful Priest who takes great efforts in enabling spiritual
growth for all. He is meticulous and innovative in his Priestly ministry. He is
voracious reader and appreciates music. His motto is “overcome evil with good”..

Rev. Fr. Joseph Gnanam CSsR

Confessor and Spiritual Director
Date of Birth : 14-September-1950
Date of Ordination : 5-May-1974

Rev. Fr. Joseph is a Redemptorist Priest, who is a gifted Preacher of Missions and Retreats to all types and ages of people in Tamil and English. He has been leading the faithful as Parish Priest in Bangalore, Madurai and Sivagangai. He has over six years of evangelization work as part of his missionary role in Kenya. He is a trained counselor from UK and also had extensive experience in formation of Seminarians for ten years. He was the Spiritual Director at St. Thomas Mount for three years and at Acharapakkam for five years.

Dn. S.Antony Rozario Joshua

Deacon
Date of Birth : 14-June-1994
Date of Ordination : 2023

He belongs to the Archdiocese of Madras-Mylapore and is originally from St. Lazarus Church, R.A Puram. He helps and assists in all the liturgical activities of the Shrine. He practices the Catholic Teachings, as his way of life. He has a focused approach on his pastoral theme “Bloom where you are planted”. He graduated in Science (Advanced Zoology & Biotech) from Loyola College. Ecclesiastically, he holds a Bachelors Degree in Theology and a Degree in Philosophy . Additionally he has gained skills in Music, Graphic Designing – Editing, and Photography.

Priests who rendered their services	Year
Rev. Fr. P.T.Arulappa	1972 – 1974
Rev. Fr. P.Joseph	1974 – 1978
Rev. Fr. P.T.Arulappa	1978 – 1980
Rev. Fr. P. Antony Doss	1980 – 1981
Rev. Fr. T.J. George	1981 – 1988
Rev. Fr. J. Amalraj	1988 – 1993
Rev. Fr. P.J. Lawrence Raj	1993 – 2000
Rev. Fr. Bernard Lawrence	2000 – 2007
Rev. Fr. Francis Michael	2007 – 2014
Rev. Fr. B.K. Francis Xavier	2014 – 2019
Rev. Fr. Vincent Chinnadurai	2019 – 2025

Annai Vailankanni Shrine is served by the Diocesan Priests belonging to the Archdiocese of Madras – Mylapore.