The Parish
Annai Vailankanni Shrine, Besant Nagar
Every hour the chime of ‘Ave Maria’ reminds us of Mother Mary’s presence and reassures Her loving guidance. And this is the legendary Annai Vailankanni Shrine, Besant Nagar in Chennai (formerly Madras). This is the largest and most popular Shrine dedicated to Our Lady of Good Health outside Vailankanni (place of Apparition of Our Lady of Good Health) in Nagapattinam.
Being located at the Elliot’s beach, on the sandy shores of the Bay of Bengal this Shrine has become a haven for pilgrims. History recounts that Mother Mary appeared with Infant Jesus in a dream to the late Rev. Fr. P. T. Arulappa, who constructed this beautiful shrine dedicated to the Virgin Mother of God to fulfill Our Heavenly Mother’s desire.
Down through the years the Shrine has been proved to be of divine origin and a clear proof of international, multicultural, and religious harmony. Thousands of Christian and non-Christian pilgrims who visit the Shrine is the proof of the respect, love and hope in our loving Annai (Mother in Tamil language) – Mother of Christ and our Mother too. It is the sign of the growing influence of the Annai Vailankanni Shrine on one and all irrespective of caste or creed.
History
The Initiator Constructing the Shrine was the dream-Child of the late Rev. Fr. P. T. Arulappa of revered memory whose mortal remains are interred here. He was the then Parish Priest of St. Louis Church, Adyar, who toiled day in and day out to build this Church ably supported by Engineer Msgr J. P. D.’Souza. It is said that Our Lady appeared in a dream to Rev. Fr. Arulappa and expressed Her desire that a Church be built and dedicated to her honour under the title – ANNAI VAILANKANNI.
A humble beginning was made in 1971 keeping as model, the Shrine Basilica of Our Lady of Good Health at Vailankanni in Nagapattinam, which is also on the shores of the Bay of Bengal. To start with a hut was erected, reminding us of our Blessed Mother and Child Jesus in Bethlehem. The structure was extended and declared open on 24th June 1972 by the then Archbishop of Madras – Mylapore, the Most Rev. R. Arulappa amidst twenty five thousand devotees. The imposing 97 feet belfry was declared open by the then and former Chief Minister, Dr. M. Karunanidhi on 27th August 1972 with an exhortation to the one lakh congregation of all faith gathered there. Pilgrims who wished to undertake a visit to Vailankanni in Nagapattinam first pay their obeisance to the Mother in the Shrine here.
Appreciating the needs of the situation, Rev.Fr.T.J.George the then Parish Priest built a bigger Church and blessed on 15th August 1985 on the feast of Our Lady’s Assumption into Heaven, which also synchronizes with our Independence Day.
Parish Growth
Nineteen nineties was the milestone in the growth of the Shrine. Pilgrims started flocking the Shrine. Many more miracles took place. In order to cater to the needs of the pilgrims – spiritual activities were increased and developmental works began. Due to the strenuous efforts and hard work of Rev. Fr. Lawrence Raj, the then Parish Priest, the shrine lobby was extended, a face lift was given for the big Church, a huge community hall, stalls and class room blocks were constructed. Later in May 2000, nearly 8 grounds of land were purchased on which now stands the niches of the mysteries of the holy Rosary and the beautiful stage, dedicated to ‘Jubilee year 2000’.
Subsequently Rev.Fr.Bernard Lawrence in 2001 built a small chapel for the Blessed Sacrament. In 2002 a Grotto depicting the miracles of Our Lady of Good Health at Vailankanni was added to the devotion of this Shrine. Lakhs of people visit the Shrine every year and are blessed by God through the intercession of Our Lady of Good Health, popularly known as Besant Nagar Madha.
The successive Parish Priests, the parish council and the Parishioners have spared no pains to ensure the growth of this Parish in temporal and spiritual activities through inviting guest and visiting experts in their line to lead and participate in various programs. The new buildings including the Rev. P.T. Arulappa Memorial Hall and the silver jubilee commemoration arch are a testimony to it. As a token of goodwill, of the disciples and devotees of Mother Mary, the orphanage at Maduranthakam(outside Chennai) has been adopted and a new building was built as another Silver Jubilee Memorial.
To assist the Parish in the religious, charitable and pastoral activities religious like Carmel Sisters, Oli Udhayam Sisters, the Jesuit community from Satya Nilayam and other Priests from neighbouring Parishes and Seminary has been willingly
rendering help. We are indeed fortunate and grateful to receive their help
The Annual Feast
Feast Days, or Holy Days, are days which are celebrated in commemoration of the sacred mysteries and events recorded in the history of our redemption, in memory of the Virgin Mother of Christ, or of His apostles, martyrs, and saints, by special services and rest from work. A feast not only commemorates an event or person, but also serves to excite the spiritual life by reminding us of the event it commemorates.
There are many Feasts in the Catholic Church dedicated to Our Mother. And one such Feast is that of the Birthday of Our Blessed Mother which is celebrated on September 8 every year as the Feast of Annai Vailankanni Our Lady of Good Health. The Annual Feast celebrations begin with a 9 day Novena to Our Mother on August 29 every year. The celebrations begin with the flag hoisting and also ends with the flag brought down on the last day. Every day the Rosary, Novena prayer to Our Mother followed by the Holy Mass celebrated by different Priests from various places are invited to share their Marian spirituality with the devotees. Every day devotees throng the Shrine and are blessed with graces. Miracles take place
The Parish
Annai Vailankanni Shrine is served by the Diocesan Priests belonging to the Archdiocese of Madras – Mylapore. The Rector & Parish Priest followed by the Administrator, Assistant Parish Priest, the Confessor and the entire Parish council members of the Shrine aid in the overall growth of the Shrine. The parish council is the backbone of the Shrine in planning various social and religious activities. Spiritual, religious, charitable and pastoral activities are executed in a family spirit.
Shrine Office (Administrative Block)
This office was built and opened in December 2007. This houses the office for the Administrator, Mass booking, Annai Vailankanni magazine and the Matrimonial centre.
Working hours : 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. on all days
Matrimonial Centre
This centre has been in operation since 1981. Since September 2007 a new system has been installed. At present only Catholics are allowed to be enrolled. Only registered members are allowed to operate.
For more details please visit: www.annaivailankannimatrimony.com
Rev Fr.P.T. Arulappa Memorial Hall
This hall is used for marriages or any other special occasions. There is a reception hall and dining room.
Parish Groups
Parish Council
It is a group of elders and young people, who assist the Rector and Parish Priest of the Shrine in their organisation of the spiritual and social activities of the Parish. It is the backbone of the Parish in planning and carrying out the various activities of the Parish. This forum gathers every third Sunday of the month to evaluate its functioning retrospectively and to plan future activities.
Basic Christian Community
- Read and reflect on the scriptures
- Pray together
- Share their faith stories
- Resolve to respond in action for the good of others.
- They meet in houses
- Faithfulness to fellowship
- They share the word of God
- The “Word” becomes the source of their life and relationship
- They care for each other
- They minister to each other in their pastoral, social and educational needs.
- They are united to the universal Church
- They become a Eucharistic community.
Contribution of the B.C.Cs
- Increased the participation of laity in the life of the Diocese.
- Lay leadership grew qualitatively, especially the leadership of women.
- Liturgy and participation in sacraments and family prayer became more active.
- Spreading and breaking of Word of God increased.
- Ability to pray spontaneously.
- Social commitment has increased so that they minister to each other to a large extent.
- Developed the different talents of the people.
- Attitudinal change in the people brought about generosity and deeper fellowship.
- People feel that they are the Church and their sense of belongingness increased.
- The faith of the people and the capacity to forgive each other have increased.
- Popular devotion and active participation in the pious associations increased.
In Tamil(local language) BCCs are called as Anbiyam. The Shrine is geographically divided into Zones, wherein each area is named after Saints or Our Lady.
They are as follows
| S.No | ZONE | ANBIYAM |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Besant Nagar | St. Dominic Savio |
| 2 | Odaima Nagar | Infant Jesus |
| 2 | Odaima Nagar | St. Joseph |
| 3 | Thideer Nagar | Fatima Madha |
| 4 | Urur Olcott Kuppam | St. Xavier |
| 5 | Kakkan Colony | St. Mark |
| 6 | Ramasamy Garden | Annai Theresa |
| 7 | Vannanthurai / Parameshwari Nagar | Sagaya Madha |
| 7 | Vannanthurai / Parameshwari Nagar | St. Yagapper |
| 7 | Vannanthurai / Parameshwari Nagar | St. Asirvathappar |
| 8 | Lakshmipuram | St. Paul |
| 8 | Lakshmipuram | St. Thadeu |
| 8 | Lakshmipuram | St. Belavendar |
| 8 | Lakshmipuram | Amalorpava Madha |
| 9 | Shastri Nagar | Jebamalai Annai |
| 10 | Indira Nagar | Carmel Madha |
| 11 | Periyar Nagar | Kanikkai Madha |
| 12 | Thiruvanmiyur(West) | St. John |
| 13 | Thiruvanmiyur(East) | St. Lawrence |
| 13 | Thiruvanmiyur(East) | Lourdu Annai |
| 14 | Thiruveedhi Amman Koil | St. Arulanandar |
| 14 | Thiruveedhi Amman Koil | St. Augustine |
| 15 | Avvai Nagar | St. Rayappar |
| 16 | Valmiki Nagar | Sacred Heart |
| 17 | Thiruvalluvar Nagar(South) | St. Thomas |
| 18 | Thiruvalluvar Nagar(North) | St. Barnabas |
| 18 | Thiruvalluvar Nagar(North) | St. Anthony |
| 19 | Kalakshetra Colony | St. Lucas |
| 20 | English Group | Santa Maria |
| 20 | English Group | St. Vincent Ferrer |
Youth Group
It is team of young boys and girls who gather once a week for a meeting to discuss their spiritual and personal growth as a Catholic. As an expression of their good will and youthful zest they contribute physically for any activities of the Shrine. Every month, they organize a seminar on moral or social issues in order to increase social awareness among the youth, they lead the Sunday Liturgy once a month and also lead a Holy Hour of Adoration once a month. Being an energetic group, their dynamism is well felt in their activities of enacting social skits, attending various competitions in the Vicariate and Diocesan, and through involvement in the other social activities in the church and in their educational institutions.
St Vincent de Paul Society
This society works in the footsteps of St. Vincent de Paul, who worked for the welfare of the poor. Serving the poor is their motto. In the year 2005, this society entered its 11th year of service. The society’s activities include visiting the adopted families, sick and old persons, orphanages and old age homes namely, Sahaya Illam and the children’s ward in the Cancer Institute etc. This society collects money through a dumb box after Sunday masses, from well-wishers who contribute to the poor and needy. With this aid the society provides educational aid to children, conducts tailoring classes, runs a free homeopathy clinic, purchases food packets and distributes it among the people who live in and around the Shrine, they conduct blood donation camps twice a year on Good Friday and on the intervening Sunday during the annual feast of Our Lady of Annai Vailankanni.
Legion of Mary
A pious association, that gathers once a week for a meeting, to recite the rosary and a spiritual reading from the Legion hand- book. At the meeting a recollection of that week’s activities and services are recorded. This association goes on house visits as part of their evangelisation endeavor. They visit hospitals to console, give courage and support to patients; clean the church and do other voluntary services whenever requested.
Madha Sabai group
It is a devoted association that gathers every third Saturday for a prayer service based on a reading from the Holy Bible. This association gives its helping hand in the spiritual activities of the parish. Frequently it is involved in cleaning activities in the church campus and also involve in voluntary services in the Shrine
St. Francis (Fransican Third Order)
It is a lay pious association in the Franciscan order functioning with the objective of evangelisation. In Besant Nagar, it was started in the year 2001. Their activities are as follows: Cleaning the church and the Adoration chapel; Volunteering during festival days; Visiting the old age home and washing their clothes; Visiting orphanages, prisons, hospitals, etc.
Liturgy group
It is a group of selected parish members, coming together for a meeting twice a month, to discuss and prepare the liturgy for Sunday and other important feast days and Eucharistic celebrations with the intention of enabling the worshipping community to pray and participate more completely at Holy Mass.
Altar Servers Association
It is a group of boys and girls who have received the sacrament of Holy Eucharist, serving at the altar of the Lord. They come together for a meeting on every second Sunday, where classes on liturgical aspects and the way of serving at the altar are taught. They serve in every Mass.
Finance Committee
This Committee is headed by the Rector and Parish Priest.
AVE! AVE!! AVE MARIA!!!