A Nostalgic Homecoming “ One Generation builds the road on which the next one drives”- This Chinese proverb reminds me of our elder generations who had built not only a magnificent church, but also laid a path of ardent faith on which we now thrive on. Devoted to the religion, they had the compassion to help the needy and passion to prosper their Parava community. In gratitude, I speak from my heart about our Pattanathars whose achievements got imprinted in the annals of Catholic Church and of the State/Nation as a History. Faithful Pethuru (Peter) Fernandez. St. Francis Xavier arrived at the Coramandal Coast during the year 1542. During his stay at Virapandian Patnam, Pethuru Fernandez was his most trusted disciple. By his evangelical fervour, St. Francis Xavier made known the people at neighbouring villages about Virapandian Patnam and its faithful populace. Pethuru Fernandez of Virapandian Patnam contributed in good measure in the religious works of St. Francis Xavier as his good devotee. He had followed St. Xavier to all over the places he travelled in the Coramandal Coast. He was the vital eyewitness of a miracle wherein a little boy fallen into a well and died was saved by the intercession of prayers offered by St. Francis Xavier. It happened at Kombuthurai (then a sub-station of Virapandian Patnam). In 1616, Pethuru Fernandez gave testimony of this eye- witnessing miracle during an enquiry/inquest held by the Catholic Church to consider sainthood to Francis Xavier. It must be an echo of serenity to commemorate our Pethuru Fernandez, as his eyewitness assertion was one of the key testimonies for canonization our ‘Peria Appan’ as a Saint. St. Francis Xavier states in one his letters about Pethuru Fernandez quote “ He is my most trusted good man”- unquote. (The above information was derived from the article written by (Late) Rev.Fr. S.Venantius based on the manuscripts: – 1.Coleridge, H., ‘The Life and letters of St. Francis Xavier’, Vol. I, London, 1874, P211 2.Schurhammer, G,‘Francis Xavier, His life and His Times’Vol.II, Rome, 1977, P437-38 3. ‘Monumenta Xaveriana’, Madrid, 1912, Vol.II, P 547-548) Businessmen: At the end of 19th and early 20th century, S.V.Bastian Coonghe, Soosai Nevis Fernando and Manuel Cruz Villavarayer alias Srapu Chettiar of Virapandian Pattinam were amongst the owners of Thoothukudi Schooners/Barques (Pai-mara kappal) They owned two vessels named ‘Philipston’ and “Swaminatha Puravai’ (Gazetteers of India, Tamil Nadu State, Thoothukudi District Volume I & II – 2007 page 480). By : J.EDMOND V.RAYEN, VIRAPANDIAN PATNAM (30 JULY 2011) CATHOLICISM - VEERAPANDYAN PATTINAM 1534 Entire Hindu Parathavars became Roman Catholics on conversion. 1535 Evangelical works by the Missionary of Society of Jesus commenced 1542 Arrival of St. Francis Xavier at Pearl Fishery Coast & his visits 1544 St. Francis Xavier built a church at Kombuthurai (sub station) for St. Stephen 1549 Fr. Henrique Henriques built a church for St.Thomas at this village. 1558 From Goa a picture of St.Thomas was brought by the efforts of Fr. Henriques 1571 A hospital for public and Confraternity of Charity for men were established. 1640 Church expansion works – length 160’- breadth 50’ 1644 A school with 25 students & 2220 Catholics 1709 Beautification of St. Thomas Church & a church for St. Peter & Paul was built 1713 Separated from Alantalai Parish and a new Parish was formed. First Parish Priest Rev. Fr. Antony D’Souza 1730 Renovation works of St. Peter’s & Paul’s Church. 1863 Carmel Matha (Mother Carmel) ‘ Confraternity’ (Komberier Sabai) 1868 Sacred Heart ‘Confraternity’ (Komberier Sabai) 1882 Renovation works of damaged church commenced. Big Pillars were erected and the interiors were divided in to three portions with centre one was larger. At the time Fr. Immanuel Paire was the Parish Priest. 1886 The newly built & renovated church with Gothic Art/culture was consecrated by Madurai Bishop Cannoze on 15th August. 1891 Convent of Servants of Blessed Mary was established and they ran a Primary School. 1893 Sodalities- ‘Holy Family’- for married women, ‘St. Aloysius for Youth (boys) Mary Immaculate for Youth (girls) 1907 Small Ther (Car) in honour of Mary on her assumption day (15th August) was pulled through the streets 1909 135’ height towers (Two) erected in front of the Church 1910 Big Ther (Car) was pulled in honour of Mother Mary and St.Thomas during Carmel Matha (Mother (Mary) Carmel) festival 1913 Parish Priest Bungalow (the present one) 1914 Grotto for our Lady of Lourdes 1915 Middle School (St.Mary’s) –(up to 1946) 1918 The present Grave Yard 1921 Transfer of Parish Administration from Jesuits to the Secular Priests. 1923 Sacred Heart Hospital that was once ‘Thapasu Madam’ (Centre of Penance) 1925 Big Clocks (2) on the Right Side Tower facing west and south 1929 Old Boys’ Association (OBA) 1934 Iron Flag Mast 90’ high 1935 St. Xavier’s Church on the eastern coast facing sea 1945 St. Anne’s (Annammal) church at Tiruchendur (Jeeva Nagar) 1946 St.Thomas Secondary School – Up to 1956 it was only as boys’ school and from 1957 Co-education. (Students of 6th, 7th & 8th Standards were transferred from St.Mary’s Middle School, consequent of which it remained as a Primary School since 1946 and is run by the Sisters of Servite Convent). 1948 ‘Palar Sabai’ & ‘Sarprasatha Sabai’ 1949 ‘Mariyayin Senai’ 1952 Our Lady of Fatima Church 1959 Christ King Church 1979 St. Vincent De Paul Society 1980 St.Thomas Hospital 1986 Kolping Sangham (Society) 1987 St. Antony’s Church on the Northern Side of the village 1998 ‘Velanganni Matha’ Grotto, St. George Chapel, Meeting Hall for ‘Vincent De Paul’ Society and ‘Mariyayin Senai’, & ‘Corpus Christi’ Mandapam 2004 Eucharist Chapel ‘Francisco’ Auditorium (School Campus- Upstairs) 2005 Children’s Park 2006 Renovation works – St.Mary’s Primary School & St.Thomas Church 2011 Renovation works – St.Thomas Church Diocesan Missions 1534 Under Goa Diocese 1557 Cochin Diocese 1788 Mylapore-Chennai, and then Pondichery Diocese 1838 Madurai Vicariate 1846 Trichy Diocese 1869 13 families under French Mission and the rest under Goa Mission 1923 Thoothukudi Diocese Milestones (56 to 477 years old) As on 30 July 2011 a) Catholics since 1534 - 477 years b) St. Stephen’s Church at Kombuthurai - 1544 - 467 c) St.Thomas Church – 1549 - 462 d) School – 1644 (St.Mary’s – 1891) - 367 e) St.Peter’s & Paul’s Church- 1709 - 302 f) Carmel Matha ‘Confraternity’ – 1863 - 148 g) Sacred Heart ‘ Confraternity’ – 1868 - 143 h) Sodalities for married women, Youth (Boys & Girls) – 1893 - 118 i) Custom of Pulling of Ther (Car Festival) From 1907 (Small Ther)& from 1910 (Big Ther) - 104 j) Parish Priest Bungalow- 1913 - 98 k) Big clocks on the Church Tower- 1925 - 86 l) Old Boys Association –1929 - 82 m) Church Iron Flag Mast- 90’ high- 1934 - 77 n) St.Xavier’s Church on the east coast- 1935 - 76 o) St.Thomas Secondary School- 1946 - 65 p) ‘Palar Sabai & Sarprasatha Sabai’- 1948 - 63 q) ‘Mariyayin Senai – 1949 - 62 r) Fatima Church – 1952 - 59 Compiled by: J.EDMOND V.RAYEN, VIRAPANDIAN PATNAM |