Catholics in India Rejoice as the Vatican Officially Recognizes its “Lourdes of the East” Marian Shrine of Velankanni

The Vatican of officially recognized the Marian shrine in Velankanni or Our Lady of Health, in the South Indian state of Tamil Nadu, earlier this month. A regional bishop made a statement. The designated bishop of Tanjore (also in the state of Tamil Nadu), Sagayaraj Thamburaj, said he was "very happy" about the Vatican's recognition. Bishop Thamburaj of Tanjore said: The document of the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith “speaks so appreciatively of the Marian shrine in Velankanni that it almost seems like something like a Lourdes of the East.”
In its recognition, the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith also points out that the shrine has also become a popular destination for non-Christians seeking spiritual grace. Bishop of. Referring to this, Thamburaj, for his part, explained to Crux that he appreciated the document because it states that although thousands of people of other faiths come to Velankanni, it is not a matter of syncretism. The future bishop said: "An important factor is that the letter mentions that people of other faiths as well as other confessions also come in large numbers - in large numbers. People come regardless of caste, creed or religious affiliation, rich and poor, urban and rural. Everyone is welcomed by Mother Mary, but not only on special days, but throughout the year hundreds of thousands of people make pilgrimages to Velankanni."
Thamburaj went on to say that he teaches mission theology and the mission of the church in the seminary. There he argues that "we should promote interreligious dialogue and the ecumenical efforts of the Catholic Church." "Christ is the way and the gospel should be carried to the ends of the earth... Not all gods are the same. Not all religions are the same."
History: "Vailankanni" (Meaning: Virgin of Velai, the town), also known as "Velankanni" or "Velanganni", is a hamlet on the sandy shores of the Bay of Bengal. It is located 350 kilometers south of Chennai (previously called Madras the capital of Tamil Nadu, a South Eastern state of India). Vailankanni is fondly known as the 'Lourdes of the East' because like Lourdes in France, millions of pilgrims visit the Shrine throughout the year, praying to Our Lady for various needs and thanking her for the favors received through her intercession. Tradition recounts that Mother Mary appeared with the Infant Jesus in this small hamlet at the end of the 16th or in the early 17th century. In Velankanni, around 60 percent of the population are Hindus and six percent are Muslims. Comparatively in the country of India, the proportion of Christians is extremely high, at just over 30 percent. The Catholic pilgrimage site is also visited and valued by Hindus and even Muslims. Velankanni is considered the most important Christian pilgrimage site on the entire Indian subcontinent. The annual eleven-day church festival alone regularly attracts around two million pilgrims from all over India.
The snow-white neo-Gothic pilgrimage church was elevated to a minor basilica by Pope John XXIII in 1962 and has to be enlarged again and again to accommodate the influx of pilgrims. The huge church building currently has around 10,000 seats. When used for standing, the basilica can accommodate around 40,000 people, making it one of the truly enormous church buildings in Christendom.
Archive photo: Pilgrimage Basilica of Our Lady of Health

See More: https://www.velankannichurch.com/content/3251/History-of-Velankanni