Felix Antony –
Pallam/Kanyakumari: A humble Parish community in Kottar diocese in Tamil Nadu that has the most number of Priests in India celebrated its 100 years of church dedication on 21 September 2022.
Pallam, a fishing community located on the beaches of Arabic Sea, some 10 kilometres away to the west of Kanyakumari, celebrated its parish feast and the centenary of its church dedication on the feast of St. Matthew, its patron saint. The Parish has 56 Priests together with Annai Nagar that got bifurcated in 2002.
Leading the celebrations on this landmark occasion, Bishop Nazarene Soosai of Kottar diocese congratulated the people for their hardwork, sacrifices and the strong faith that has withstood many challenges over the past 100 years. “This church is not merely a building. It is the face of your sweat and blood, sacrifices, support and kindness. This celebration today takes us back to our roots, our humble beginning and how God has been guiding us”, he said.
The ten day celebration that began with a Holy Mass for the departed souls who played a great role in shaping the life of the community had various meaningful events, including Book Festival, Blood and Organ donation drive.
The story of Pallam is a story of ashes to glory, said Father Hillarius, a former parish priest. “Pallam has seen some of the worst times. It was totally destroyed by the Hindu fanatics during the communal riot in 1982. They burned down more than 50 houses and all the fishing tools were destroyed and everyone had to flee the village to safety. To see what Pallam today is nothing short of a miracle”, he said.
Appointed Parish Priest immediacy after this lowest point of history, Father Hillarius worked with the active youth to rebuild the village in four years. “Pallam has come a long way”, he added.
One of the first villages to send mission vocations to North and North East India, only six of the 56 priests belong to Kottar diocese. The rest are working as missionary priests in almost every part of the country, belonging to different dioceses and congregations. The Parish also has 55 women religious working in almost every part of the country.
Tears, pain, and difficulties have led to this glory, said Father John Rufus, another former parish priest who initiated the church renovation work in 2005. “This Church is a symbol of the generous contributions of the hardworking people of Pallam”, he said.
Apart from the glorious contribution to the Church in India with religious vocations, the village also has the distinction of creating the first woman graduate and first Govt. Advocate in the district. The Higher Secondary School in the village has produced medical doctors, scholars, scientists, engineers, professors, pilot, professional cricket player and qualified professionals in every stream.
Father Francis Borgia who completed the renovation work of the church in 2007 also congratulated the people on the special occasion. “The involvement of the people in running the Parish is truly praise worthy. This aspect makes this church makes it synodal in many ways”, he said.
Catechism classes, Legion of Mary, Society of Our Lady of Mount Carmel are a strong component of the parish activity.
Father Soosai Anthony, the present parish priest also highlighted the positive areas of the village. “I am happy to be working here. We have a very strong and active young people in the village. Every faithful, worship team and parish pastoral council, everyone cooperates. They take suggestions and execute ideas. I am sure this will grow to greater heights in the days to come”.
Some of the priests and women religious working as missionaries also participated in the centenary celebrations. Sister Shoba Peter FSPM, Principal at St. Anthony’s High School, Mumbai, said, “It is an awesome privilege and great blessing to be a part of this auspicious event. Father John Britto who works in Patna Archdiocese said, ”Hundred years celebration comes once in a life time. I did not want to miss this”.
The ten day celebrations concluded with Eucharistic procession and the statue of the Patron Saint going through every street in the village.
“We hope this centenary celebration does not end with these ten days but may it become a new starting point for new hope and new goals for the next hundred years”, remarked Father Angelus Anthony, a missionary priest working in Shimla Chandigarh diocese.