Parish Name:
St. Mary’s Cathedral Church
Address:
Keela Veli Street, Madurai – 625001.
Patron Saint:
Our Lady of Dolours
Telephone No:
0452-2332832
HISTORY

Fr. Bertrend SJ, bought a piece of land in 1840 and a mini chapel dedicated to our Lady of Dolours was constructed in 1841 by Fr. Garnier. He settled down nearly 30 families of Saliers who were persecuted and driven out from W. Pudupatti church. During the period of Fr. Trincal, (1855) the number of Catholics in this area rose from 600 to 2500. To accommodate the Catholics, the Church was expanded by Fr. Hibolite sj and Br. Lemothe, sj who built two bell towers in Roman style about 1972. The Church was extended to the present Gothic style in three parts. Due to lack of fund from Europe caused by World War I in 1914, Fr. Planchard had to sell the land (the present Mission Hospital opposite to the Cathedral) and continue the construction. The work was over in 1916 and Msgr. Faisandier blessed the church on 15th of August. Mr. Savarimuthu, who built St. Joseph’s College buildings was the architect of the Cathedral. When Madurai was created as a new diocese, Msgr. Leonard sj. announced Our Lady of Dolours as Pro-Cathedral. After Fr. Gomez sj,
Fr. Adaikalam sj. executed the plan of the present bigger church and the taller towers. At the time of Msgr. Justin Diraviam, Our Lady of Dolours attained the status of a Cathedral and was handed over to the Archdiocese in virtue of the Decree given by the Sacred congregation for Religious and seular institutes in 1969.
The Cathedral church stands as a unique symbol of beauty and spirituality with a blend of various forms of European, Roman and continental architecture. The spiritual aura of the agony of Jesus and Mary inspires pathos and passion.
From the beginning, this Church is one of the attractions of Madurai. This parish is more than 150 years old. The parish is full of traditional Catholics and some settled Catholics. The parish comprises of fifteen sub stations and 1600 Catholic Families.

 

SUCCESSION OF PARISH PRIESTS
  • Fr. Gabriel Gomez, sj  1921-41
  • Fr. Victor Allord, sj  1941-46
  • Fr. Gnanapragasam, sj  1946-47
  • Fr. Arul Kulandai samy, sj  1947-48
  • Fr. Planchaard, sj  1948-49
  • Fr. Ponur, sj  1949-53
  • Fr. Maria Michael sj  1954-56
  • Fr. Royappa Alexander sj  1956-58
  • Fr. Iggu Irudayam sj  1958-61
  • Fr. X. Adaikalam sj  1961-68
  • Fr. D. Diaz, sj  1968-70
  • Fr. A. S. Arockiasamy sj  1970-74
  • Fr.D. Kulandairaj, sj  1974-81
  • Fr. A. Ambrose, sj  1981-86
  • Fr. M.J. Victor, sj  1986-91
  • Fr Eronimus, sj  1991-94
  • Fr. Joseph Nedungad, sj  1994-98
  • Fr. . S. Arockiaraj, sj  1998-99
  • Fr. M. Lawrence Gabriel, sj  1999-2002
  • Fr. Marivalan, sj  2002-2005
  • Fr. Felix Joseph, sj  2005-2008
  • Fr. Mount Joseph Selvam, sj  2008-2010
  • Fr. P.S. Arul, sj  2010..2013
  • Fr. Arockia Raj 2013
SUBSTATIONS WITH CHAPELS
  • Saveriayar Savadi
  • Palayakuyavar palayam – St. Anthony’s church
  • Sandai Pettai – St. Anthony’s church
  • Anupanadi – St. Joseph’s church
  • Susaiyapperpuram – St. Anthony’s church
  • Sebastiyar puram – St. Sebastian’s church
  • Kamarajapuram – Veilankanni’s church
  • Pokkuvarathu Nagar – Veilankanni’s church
  • Keeraithurai – Fathima’s church

 

PARTICIPATORY STRUCTURE / ASSOCIATIONS IN THE PARISH

Parish Council, Parish finance council, Anbiyam.

 

ASSOCIATIONS

Legion of Mary, Vincent de Paul, Mariannai samuga nala mandram,St. Mary’s Youth, St. Mary’s Altar boys, St. Mary’s YSM, Yesuvin Kanmanigal, Family welfare team, Bible society.

 

RELIGIOUS IN THE PARISH
  • CIC Generalate – members: 21
    20, Old Kuyavar palayam road, Madurai – 625009, Ph: 2339497.
  • CIC Patrick’s Convent, members : 8,
    20, Old Kuyavar palayam road, Madurai – 625009, Ph: 2336134.
  • CIC Theresa Convent, members : 30, Nirmala schools, Kamarajar
    Salai, Madurai-625 009, Ph: 2311265
  • CIC westgate Convent, members: 10, Keelavasal,
    Madurai- 625001, Ph: 2337827.
  • Sisters of St. Joseph of Lyons, St. Joseph’s convent, members: 18, old kuyavar palayam, Madurai – 625009.
  • Society of Jesus, St. Mary’s, members : 16, Keelavasal,
    Madurai-625001. Ph: 2337273
  • Society of Jesus-IDEAS, members : 4, IDEAS centre,
    26-A Valaithoppu, Cinthamani road, Madurai-625001,
    Ph: 2337968.
  • Society of Jesus-DACA, membes : 6, DACA, Mandela nagar, PTC Post, Arupukottai rd, Madurai -16, Ph: 2690147.
SECULAR INSTITUTE
Nil
INSTITUTIONS UNDER THE PARISH PRIEST

St. Mary’s primary school,
no. of staff: 27; students : 1200 (95).

 

INSTITUTIONS UNDER THE RELIGIOUS

 

  • St. Mary’s Hr. Sec. School:
  • no. of staff: 94 (85), students : 3627 (502).
  • St. Joseph’s School, Ph: 2339128, Nursery & Primary, Hr. Sec. School, Ph: 2331943
    Matric. Hr. Sec. School, Ph: 2331672,
    staff: 141 (27); students : 6007 (690).
  • St. Patricia Middle school, Ph : 2336134,
    staff: 36, students: 1381 (50)
  • Eastgate Middle school, Ph: 2320326
    staff : 49 (47), students : 1900 (150)
  • St. Nirmala girls Hr. Sec. School, Ph: 2311370
    staff : 70 (60), students : 4315 (234)
  • St. Fatima Middle school, Ph: 2311270
    staff: 49 (41); students : 1816
  • St. Amali Metric Hr. Sec. School, Ph: 2311656
    staff : 28 (12); students : 703, Catholic staff : 47
  • St. Justin’s College of Education, Ph: 2311012
    staff : 29, Catholic staff : 21,B.ed College- students : 200,
    Catholic staff : 84 M.ed, students: 25, Catholic students : 10.
KURUSADIS GROTTOS IN THE PARISH

Only one in the parish.

NAME, PROFESSION AND TELEPHONE NUMBER OF IMPORTANT AND INFLUENTIAL CATHOLIC IN THE PARISH

Mr. Jayapaul, Councilor ADMK.