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Pope Francis SJ
The Pallithura
A warm and prayerful welcome to the official website of Pallithura Parish.
Pallithura Parish is dedicated to Saint Mary Magdalene, a prominent disciple of Jesus Christ and witness to His resurrection. Situated on the shores of the Arabian Sea, Pallithura Parish is located in the 100th ward of Thiruvananthapuram Corporation. The centerpiece of this parish is the Saint Mary Magdalene Church, which holds significant architectural beauty and archaeological importance. It stands as a testament to the unwavering faith and sacrifices made by the people of Pallithura Parish for their homeland.
Originally, in 1963, the residents of Pallithura Parish were displaced, and their structures were demolished to make way for the Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC). However, recognizing the historical value and strength of the existing parish church, the central government decided to preserve it, transforming it into a space museum.
The present-day parish church, constructed in the Indo-English architectural style, takes the form of a cross made from granite and wood. This spiritual center of Pallithura Parish stands as a poetic expression in stone.
One of the notable attractions for pilgrims and devotees is the shrine installed within the church premises. In 1977, the Holy Mother of God Velankanni shrine was established, and it was rebuilt in 2016. This unique shrine features 365 expressions of the expectant Holy Mother of God, depicted through glass painting, making it the first of its kind in the world. Adjacent to the shrine, there is a serene underground chapel for solitary meditation and prayer, dedicated to divine mercy.
Surrounding the church and the shrine, on the wide sandy area, stand 14 large crosses commemorating the sufferings of Jesus Christ. During the period of Lent, devotees gather here to pray and reflect upon Christ’s sacrifice. The festival of Mother Velankanni in the shrine holds a special place as a local celebration, attracting hundreds of thousands of pilgrims during its observance. Pallithura Saint Mary Magdalene Church and the shrine of Mother Velankanni bear witness to numerous divine miracles that occur daily. Devotees from various castes and religions have shared miraculous testimonies. This website aims to document and share these accounts.
For the convenience of devotees and pilgrims, drinking water taps and restroom facilities have been provided as required. The people of Pallithura Parish are known for their warm hospitality and reciprocation. With a Christian faith tradition spanning five centuries, the early church of this parish was established by Saint Francis Xavier. Under the leadership of the Parish Committee, Pallithura Parish operates as a well-coordinated entity, comprising 36 BCC units, 8 ministry committees, and various devotional and related organizations. Detailed information about these entities can be found on the inner pages of this website.
We extend a heartfelt invitation to the parishioners, devotees, and visitors of Pallithura to explore this official website. It aims to provide comfort, and assistance, and serve as a valuable resource for pilgrims, students conducting historical research, and those seeking knowledge.
We once again welcome everyone to the official website of Pallithura Parish.
Message From Prish Priest
Message from the Parish Priest
One of the few parishes in the diocese with a precise history and tradition to share is Pallithura. A century of recorded history and five centuries of reliable tradition may be attributed to Pallithura Parish. Pallithura is a parish hamlet that has ties to our nation’s past and is now actively contributing to its development.
Pallithura Parish is a diversified parish community for various reasons, including the presence of 36 Basic Christian Communities. The Holy Mother of God, Velankanni Arogya Matha, is joyfully rejoicing in the magnificent, age-old Church of St. Mary Magdalene, which is made of granite and wooden planks and has a nearby Kurishadi. It is surrounded by a large white sand dune. All of these offer a tremendous amount of spiritual experience.
Pallithura Higher Secondary School is a well-known educational institution in the district. Among the many benefits of the Parish are the recently finished Marian Shopping Complex and the Parish Hall, both of which are available at fair and reasonable rates. Above all else, the outstanding parishioners and the Parish Committee that guides them deserve special recognition.
From this point forward, all the information about Pallithura Parish is available at our fingertips. By acknowledging the passing of time, we also begin our journey. Those who adore Pallithura Parish will undoubtedly benefit from this website.
In the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, may Almighty God bless each and every one of us.
With best wishes
Fr. Binu Joseph Alex
Parish Vicar
Message from Parish Secretary
Message from the Parish Secretary
Pallithura is a parish village known for its unique blend of spirituality, education, development, and science. This village, where the capital of India is symbolically replaced by the three-letter word “Amen,” has a long-standing tradition of emphasizing the importance of various aspects of life.
The community of Pallithura has always possessed remarkable foresight, a compromising attitude, and a commitment to progress. This spirit has been ingrained in the village for generations, and it is not a recent development.
The village holds a special place in the hearts of people worldwide, thanks to the recognition it received in the renowned Abdul Kalam’s Fireworks, a tribute to the village by the esteemed Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam. We consider ourselves extremely fortunate to be associated with such a remarkable legacy.
Through this website, we aim to provide comprehensive information about the day-to-day activities of Pallithura Parish. Our goal is to enhance the efficiency and transparency of the parish’s initiatives.
We encourage you to explore this website to its fullest and share your valuable comments and suggestions. We hope that this platform will contribute to further strengthening the activities and impact of Pallithura Parish.
With warm regards,
Adv. Constantine Y.
Parish Secretary
Message from BCC co-ordinator
Message from the BCC co-ordinator
The tiny village of Pallitthura, which was engraved in golden letters on the space map of India, is now expanding with the development of the digital world.
It is with great pleasure that the official website of Pallithura is presented to the public. It is a great advantage to be able to convey each and every special feature of the country to our brothers and sisters around the world.
It is true that there is not a single person who lives alone in the small spaces of exile and does not worry about the Pallithura and its people. This website aims at a humble endeavor to bring the Pallithura and its features to those dear brothers and sisters at their fingertips.
It is believed that various activities and features of the Pallithura can be brought to the people, especially those who are abroad, and their participation in all activities can be confirmed. We are very happy that we have a media team capable of coordinating the website activities effectively.
May the blessings of the Holy Mother be with all, with prayers.
lovingly
Aloysius William
BCC Coordinator.
Demography
Population
Families
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Male
Velankanni Shrine
The shrine of the Holy Mother, Our Lady of Good Health/Our Lady of Velankanni at Pallithura is a place of refuge and comfort for believers and devotees of various castes and religions.
Many miracles are happening here daily through the intercession of the Holy Mother. Here every year in the months of August and September, the festival of Mother Velankanni is a local festival and celebration.
The Shrine of Our Lady of Velankanni established in 1977 was renovated and rebuilt in 2016. The interior of the crucifix is inscribed with the 365 apparitions of the Holy Mother of God. A special attraction of the Cross is an underground chapel enshrined in Divine Mercy.Read More
Pallithura School
Pallithura Higher Secondary School is one of the best educational institutions in the Thiruvananthapuram Archdiocese. Around 1500 students are studying here from pre-KG classes to higher secondary classes.
About 100 people including teachers, non-teachers and temporary staff are working here. Over the years Pallithura HSS has achieved 100% success in the SSLC examination.
The school also achieves good results in higher secondary examinations. The school has won the state government award for best school.
The school boasts a century of academic tradition. Pallithura HSS under Pallithura Parish with order and discipline looking for new pastures Read More
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