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| (St Thomas tomb in Mylapore, Chennai) |
Dukhrana Thirunnal is the Great Solemn Feast of St Thomas, one of the 12 Apostles chosen by Lord Jesus Christ. He was sent by the Lord to spread His Gospel of Eternal Salvation to the people of India in AD 52. According to the Church history, it was on a July 3rd the apostle was martyred on Parangi Malai in Madras (now St Thomas Mount in Chennai). It is a great day of high significance for the Christians in India particularly the South Indian Christians and Syrian Christians of Kerala.
The Solemn Festival Day of St Thomas is observed piously and spiritually with great pomp and gaiety. It is a holiday for all the institutions run by the Catholic Church in Kerala. For the Catholic Christians of Kerala, it is a Holy day of obligation. Holy Masses are celebrated in most Churches in par with the Sunday schedules.
There are spiritual celebrations and huge rush of pilgrims on St Thomas mount (where the Apostle was assassinated) and at Santhome Church, Mylapore Chennai (where the sacred body is buried and a holy relic is venerated). Both these places are witnessing a number of great miracles by the intercession of the Saint with the power of the Holy Name of Lord Jesus.
The Syro-Malabar Catholic communities in the US and other European countries also commemorate this Feast with much importance probably with more enthusiasm and activities than that of their mother land Kerala. The efforts taken by the loyal Keralite Catholic believers of the Lord in the USA and other Countries to share the Culture and tradition of our Faith to our younger generation by conducting Bible quizzes, Bible Conventions, special Retreat and renewal programs for youth etc and to make the youngsters participate in them is very laudable in the sight of the Lord.
It is a matter of great delight for all the people of the Lord world-wide to know that St Joseph Syro Malabar Forane Catholic Church, Houston, Texas is conducting a 'Summer Retreat' by name "Shalom Festival 2015" on July 3rd, 4th and 5th. To encourage the children of God to seek the Creator in the young age, a leadership training program by name 'TORCH' (Texas Oklahoma Regional Conference - Houston) is being held at Waxahachie in Texas on July 17-20, 2015. For registration and more info please check the website of the church: http://torch.stthomasdya.org/
Justifying the old saying of our past generation that heavy downpour will accompany 'Dukrana Perunnal', the Feast Day of St Thomas today (03-07-2015) also witnessed showers of blessings in the form of rain in entire Kerala state.
May the Holy Name of God be Glorified. Amen...!
