Church of St. Ignatius of Loyola- Ramanathichanputhur 1914- 2014
Seeds of Faith sown in Ramanathichanputhur:
The first ever Roman Catholic Church (the old church) in this area was established between 1699 and 1705 by Fr. Borghese, a Jesuit priest of Madurai Province. It was towards the end of 17thCentury the Sacred Congregation of Propagation of Faith entrusted the mission to Society of Jesus. During this time Fr. Bernard D’Sa, a Jesuit priest, deputed by the Jesuit Provincial from Madurai Mission began to concentrate and evangelize interior parts of Nanchanad, eventually to bring the Nair and Vellala( Pillamars , Pillamar- literally meant Accountants in Travancore kingdom) communities to faith. Many from these communities embraced the Christian faith. The outstanding witness is Blessed Devasahayam Pillai.
The Catholics of Ramanathichanputhur trace back their roots from a village called Vandikaranputhur existed between Ramapuram and Theroor ( 5 Kms. From Kottar, presently in Kanya Kumari District) formerly known as Nanjanad in the Trivancore Kingdom. Narsinga Murthy Pillai and his wife Bargaviamma from this village received baptism in the church at Kottar in the year 1690 with the names Nallathampi Pillai and Swamiadial respectively. The people of Ramanthichenputhur are believed to be the descendents of Nallathambi Pillai. In due course they settled in Ramanthichenputhur in order to avoid persecution and also to associate with their other counter parts in Vadakankulam which was also a flourishing catholic mission at that time.
Fr. Bernard D’Sa started a mission in Marungoor ( 2 Km. from Ramanthichen puthur and 8 Km. from Kottar - Nagercoil) in order to bring the Vellalas into Catholicism. Marungoor area is predominately of Vellala- Saivits community. Marungoor was a substation of Kottar at that time. Later after due consideration Vadakankulam was chosen as the head quarters for this mission. Vadakankulam is situated on the border of the two kingdoms of Madurai and Travancore. He had chosen this in order to avoid persecution from either side. Fr. Bernard D Sa with the permission of the local petty chief, Chiruvali Pillai, built a church and presbytery at Marungoor which then was a populous village. It was in the year 1699, he brought some Christians to this centre to form the nucleus of the new Malabar Mission.
Test of Faith:
Ramanathichenputhoor has clear cut boundaries: surrounded by hills Eastern Ghats: (Nedumallai-East,Kathadimallai-NorthandPerialkullam pond-West. Ramanathichenputhoor is the East border of Kanyakumari District.
The statistics of Catholics in 1847: (Source Kumari Christians by Rev.Fr. Narchisan)
The old church in Ramanathichenpudur must have been built between 1699 and 1705. In 1705 Fr. Borghese was replaced by Fr. Peter Martin at Marungoor. In 1705 Nemom was erected as an independent Mission. Marungoor and Vadakankulam which were under Mudurai Mission were then included in Nemom Mission.
Test of Faith:
Ramanathichenputhoor has clear cut boundaries: surrounded by hills Eastern Ghats: (Nedumallai-East,Kathadimallai-NorthandPerialkullam pond-West. Ramanathichenputhoor is the East border of Kanyakumari District.
The statistics of Catholics in 1847: (Source Kumari Christians by Rev.Fr. Narchisan)
S.No
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Parish
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No. of substations
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Names
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Catholics
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1
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Kanya Kumari
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4
|
Kovalam, Manakudi,
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2536
|
2
|
Puthenthurai
|
6
|
Pallam, Rajakamanagalam
|
2484
|
3
|
Pillaithoppu
|
6
|
Muttam, Kadiyapatnam
|
2458
|
4
|
Colachel
|
4
|
Puthur, Kodimunai
|
2566
|
5
|
Kurumbanai
|
5
|
Midalam,
|
1384
|
6
|
Thengaipatnam
|
4
|
Enayam,Puthenthorai,
|
1698
|
7
|
Kottar
|
87
|
Ramanathichanputhur,Mathal,Kurusady, Asaripalam, MadathattuVilai
|
6515
|
8
|
Karangadu
|
127
|
Eraniyal,Maanguli,Moolagumoodu,Manali Vilai,Mathra Vilai, Alenchi,Mullingina Vilai, Pazhayakadai
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7873
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9
|
Venkodu
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55
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Pudukadai, Kaliaka Vilai, KuzhithuraI,Parasalai
|
2780
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Total No. of Parishes:9
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30,294
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The old church in Ramanathichenpudur must have been built between 1699 and 1705. In 1705 Fr. Borghese was replaced by Fr. Peter Martin at Marungoor. In 1705 Nemom was erected as an independent Mission. Marungoor and Vadakankulam which were under Mudurai Mission were then included in Nemom Mission.
It was a time of turmoil in the Trivancore Kingdom. The proprietors of the temple properties ”The Ettu Vitttu Pillamar” laid trap to kill the king of Travancore and to take possession of the Kingdom. They also ventured in wiping out the Europeans from the Kingdom with whom the Christians had associations. It was at this juncture the Nairs and other local vellalas( Pillamars) obstructed the Vellala mission. History tells us that with the help of local people, the church at Marungoor and Ramanthichenpudur were set fire between 1708 and 1709 when Fr. Simon de Carvalho was in charge of this mission. At that time there were 3000 adult Christians in the Marungoor Mission.Fr. Martin was placed again in Marungoor mission and he built an Oratory to replace the burnt church. Today the renovated old church at Ramanathichenpudur stands as a shining proof of the faith of our ancestors. Christianity was flourishing in this area. Our ancestors of this parish and those who lived in its vicinity withstood the onslaught of internal controversies and external persecution and attacks of the enemies of Christianity.
Ramanthichenputhoor was a filial church of Kottur till 1912.Subsequently it became an independent parish in the year 1912 with a population of 1478 Catholics spread over the villages of South Ramanahtichenputhoor, Rajavoor( South & North), Ramapuram, Marungoor, Amaravathivilai and Mylaudi.
The present parish church at Ramanathichanputhur with St. Ignatious of Loyala as its patron saint was consecrated and blessed on 7th July 1914 by Bishop Beniger.
For reasons not known in 1921 the parish center was transferred to Rajavoor( 2 Kms away from Ramanathichanputhur) and again on 15th June1946 Ramanathichenputhoor was raised to the status of a parish with all the former mission stations as part of it except Rajavoor. That was because Rajavoor had already become an independent parish.
The Jesuits who brought faith to this community were blessed with many Jesuit priests from this community.
Natural boundaries:
Ramanathichenputhoor is situated at the Eastern border of South Travancore. Presently it is 8 Kms from Kottar/ Nagercoil. It is also called Manthavilai which means the grazing field of Kings Cattle and Horses. Via Narithondu valley, which is between Nedumalai and Kathadi Malai, there is short route to Pazhavoor (presently Trinelvelli district :formerly Pandiya Kingdom). It was used as a trade route to Pandya Kingdom by our ancestors.
Ramanathichenputhoor is situated at the Eastern border of South Travancore. Presently it is 8 Kms from Kottar/ Nagercoil. It is also called Manthavilai which means the grazing field of Kings Cattle and Horses. Via Narithondu valley, which is between Nedumalai and Kathadi Malai, there is short route to Pazhavoor (presently Trinelvelli district :formerly Pandiya Kingdom). It was used as a trade route to Pandya Kingdom by our ancestors.
Fr. Ignatius built the church at AmaravathiVilai in 1943 which was blessed on 8thSeptember 1943. In the same year Fr. Ignatius also converted a Bajan House at South Ramanathichenputhoor into a church. And the extension work was done by Fr. Thomas Fernandez which was later rebuilt by Rev. Fr.Amalraj SJ in 1997.
Memory and Gratitude:
How could we not acknowledge the precious services of the previous parish priests to all the Catholics ofRamanathichanputhur. They have made a decisive contribution to their growth of faith and also left an indelible mark on the ecclesial, cultural and social life of parishioners.
Rev.Fr. Pious Moras
Rev.Fr. Fernando J C
Rev.Fr. Ignatius Maria
Rev. Fr. Vincent Rodriguez
Rev.Fr. Cyril S Fernando
Rev.Fr. George N J
Rev.Fr. Sabastian D
Rev.Fr. Retnaswamy A E
Rev.Fr. Wenceslaus C M
Rev. Fr. Joseph A J
Rev.Fr. Ambrose Baldons
Rev.Fr. Mariathasan A
Rev. Fr. Thomas Fernandez
Rev.Fr. Xavier Rajamoni
Rev. Fr. Maria Arokiam
Rev.Fr. Ambrose Baldons
Rev.Fr. Maria James
Rev. Fr. Amalanathan
Rev.Fr. Borgia
Rev.Fr. Amalraj SJ
Rev. Fr. Joseph Caulins
Rev. Fr. Arul Seelan
Rev. Fr. Arul Seelan
Rev.Fr. Xavier Sunderaj
As seen from history the old church was formerly dedicated to Mother Mary and later to St. Ignatious of Loyala as the faith was brought to this place by the Jesuits. With the priests one after another had given their best spending their life to spread the Word of God and there by strengthen the faith of the people.
Beside priests and religious, there were many lay people who offered their life and comforts as sacrifices to nurture the faith among the faithful at Ramanathichanputhur. We do not even know many of their burial places, because their persecutors deprived them of even this last mark of distinction and respect. But their names are inscribed in the Book of the Living, and each one has received "a white stone, with a new name written on the stone which no one knows except him who receives it" (Rv2: 17). The blood of these martyrs is a leaven of Gospel life which is not only active in our land, but also in many other parts of the world.
Fruit of faith:
St. Ignatius Church has also given some of the best and dynamic leaders to the Church and society at large. Rev. Fr. Ignatius Maria from Ramanathichanputhur, was the first local priest, to be ordained from Kottar diocese. His tomb stands majestically in our cemetery. Sardar S A Raja, the renowned philanthropist and ardent educationalist is born in this very soil.
Rev. Fr. I Kulandai Swamy, the saintly son of soil who makes us proud, is the first one, from Kottar diocese to be sent to Rome to be educated for his priestly studies in 1946 and he got Doctorate in Canon Law in 1957 with two gold medals from Urbana University of Rome. He was a student leader in Urbana University at that time. He served as Vicar General, Judicial Vicar, Chancellor, and Procurator of our diocese till the end of his life. When the Jesuits handed over the administration of St.Paul’s Major Seminary, Trichirapalli to the local church, he received the mantle of its Rector(1978- 1984) and managed it to the appreciation of every one concerned. His contributions to the local church in Tamil Nadu in particular are remarkable and noteworthy.
Priests, Religious and lay leaders from the parish:
A particularly outstanding merit of our parish is to have many priests and religious who have dedicated for the service of the Lord. The parish has given many priests like Rev. Frs. Ignatius Maria, Dharmanathar, Stanislaus Maria, I. Kulandai Swamy, A. Kulandai Swamy, Micheal Angelous, Thadeous Jude, religious and lay leaders to serve the church and society. They have become an eloquent witness to the deep faith of the catholic community at Ramanathichanputhur.
Present Challenges:
The two child norm set by the Government in the seventies is precariously affecting our catholic community. Parents are reluctant to encourage their children, for greater commitment at the service of church and charitable services. Owing to employment opportunities people, many families have migrated to other towns, metro cities and other countries. As a result number of catholic families at Ramanathichanputhur is diminishing.
Therein lies the challenge of this generation. If our ancestors were called upon to re-establish the faith in this parish, it is our duty to safeguard and defend it. Our views and our standards do not match the prevailing culture. It is harder than it was 100 years ago to stand up for Christian values. But we must not falter. Let us rise to the challenges of the day and keep the light of faith glowing bright. In doing so let us count on the prayers and support of our forefathers in the faith who have now gone to their eternal reward;
Centenary celebration to enkindle faith:
Centenary celebration does not limit us only to church building. It is very much authentically building the community into a faith living and sharing community. Like our Patron whose motto “ Ad Majorium Glorium “(“ All for the greater Glory of God”) may this jubilee spirit enkindle the passion for the development of the church and many more to serve the church as in the past. We wish and thank everyone for their endeavors and remember and cherish the noble sacrifices of our ancestors who have left us great legacies.
Centenary celebration is a time of renewing our faith we received from our ancestors and our commitment to create a new community of the kingdom in Ramanathichanputhur. In spite of the dwindling catholic community at Ramanathichanputhur, our only consolation is that God and the Spirit continue working in the world through various movements and all that we are asked is to do is to discern their work and collaborate with it. We need to work for the promotion of Justice and equality and strive for an Eucharistic church and a church in dialogue. In doing so the Catholics at Ramanathichanputhur will be helping to accomplish God’s won mission leading to a new heaven and a new earth which was described to John in the book of revelation:
See, the home of God is among mortals,
He will dwell with them as their God;
They will be His peoples,
And God himself will be with them;
He will wipe every tear from their eyes
Death will be no more;
Mourning and weeping will be no more,
For the first things have passed away.
And the one who was seated on the throne said,
“See, I am making all things new” (Rev 21:3-5)
About Ramanthichanputhur
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About Ramanthichanputhur
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Ramanathichanputhur is a place in Kanyakumari District of Tamil Nadu at Southern tip of India. This village situated near Marungoor. The village is divided into two as North and South based on the caste system. Vellalars in the north part and Nadars in the south part of the village.
In north Ramanathichanputhur a church for Lady of Lourdes was built during the 17th century, but for some unknown reason that church was left as it is and a new church for St.Ignatious was constructed and made as the parish church. Now the Old church is renovated and an Infant Jesus statue kept inside for worship.
Vellalar's are converted to Christianity during 17th century from nearby villages like Marungoor, Iraviputhur, Theroor etc., and for marriage purposes they get relationship with Vadakkankulam, Kuruvinatham villages, because those vellalars are already in the faith of Christianity.
The other part of this village is South Ramanathichanputhur blessed with Saint Roch(Arokianathar) Church attached to Ramanathichanputhur Parish.
The people here are mostly Roman Catholics and this parish belongs to the Kottar Diocese.Before the state re-organization was done, this village was the east boarder of South Thiruvithangoor.
Ramanathichenputhoor surrounded by hills (Nedumalai-east, Kathadimalai-North and Perialkullam pond-West. Via Narithondu there is Short route to Pazhavoor(Trinelvelli). It is one of the east boarder of Kanyakumari Dist.
Indien Hermitage Restaurant, Lord Jeganath College of Engineering and PSN Institute of Technology are another attractions of the village
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