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.

Monday, January 8, 2018

Shamshabad Eparchy Inaugurated with Mar Raphael Thattil as the 1st Bishop

The Syro-Malabar Catholic Church, the second largest Christian grouping in India (after the Roman Catholic Latin rite) has officially instituted its 31st Diocese in Shamshabad (Telengana State) which was constituted by Pope Francis recently on 10th of October, 2017. In a magnificent and devotional ceremony held at CKR and KTR Convention hall in Santhom Nagar in Hyderabad, which was participated by Cardinals, Arch Bishops and many Bishops, Priests, Nuns and the public, the Major Arch Bishop of the Syro Malabar Church, Cardinal Mar George Alencherry formally dedicated the Diocese to Vatican and enthroned Mar Raphael Thattil as the first Bishop of this largest Eparchy of the Church, and entrusted him with the great and hard responsibility of overseeing the 'Mission work' spread across a vast and difficult area, which is the primary duty of the Church assigned by her Master.

As the construction of the new Cathedral Church for the Shamshabad Diocese is in progress, St Alphonsa Syro Malabar Church at Kukatpally in Hyderabad will serve temporarily as the pro-cathedral and Bishop's House. 

The responsibility of gathering and serving more than 1,30,000 faithful spread across 100 towns in the country (out side Kerala state) is vested in the Bishop. He is to cater to the spiritual needs of the faithful belonging to 11 operative and 7 under construction Churches, with the help of about 88 Priests and few hundred nuns now. 

"The Lord has done this, and it is marvelous in our eyes" (Psalm 118:23). We can see in the history of the world and the history of the church, God has chosen, called and empowered some people as per His will depending upon the situations and needs. Even though the elections of people are proven to be wrong, God's selection never fails. To lead HIS Church on earth He has anointed Holy Father Pope Francis and to administer his vibrant Syro-Malabar Church, HE has weighed, called and authorized loyal and devoted Shepherds like Cardinal Mar George Alencherry, Mar Raphael Thattil, Mar Sebastian Vaniyapurackal etc to guide His Church in these hard and difficult days.

The activities of the dark forces are very prevalent in the world and in the Church also. satan is more cunning than ever. he takes attractive and enchanting guises to mislead everyone, if possible even the chosen ones. Nowadays we see in the Church, how he shows the sweetness of power and positions, and uses the servants of God as his tools to damage the Church who the Bride of Christ..! 

Dear fellow believers, do not be deceived by the vanity the world shows you. The only aim of every Christian in this world should be eternal Life in the Kingdom of God! Whatever the world can offer will pass away after a short period. If you can believe what our Lord has in store for you,  [1 Cor 2:9] nothing in this world can entice you and you will definitely gain strength of God and help of His Mother, through the recitation of Rosary Prayers regularly, to resist the traps of all evil.

Please be vigilant and pray for we do not know the time and hour!