Lady of La Salette Church
Church - This white-and blue Catholic Church is dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary and is the first pilgrimage place in India for Mother Salette. Made of limestone, it is an imposing French structure with exquisite architecture. A striking Gothic edifice atop a hill, it has an arresting facade with its domineering entrance. Enshrined in the central niche of the sanctuary is the statue of Our Lady of La Salette, serene with her eyes looking towards earth, her hands joint in prayer, her appearance gentle and divine. The teardrops in her eyes, the face looking towards the world, the divine serenity and aura of love – all convey a simple message: God still loves us!
History - Father Cyr had come to Kodaikanal in 1852 for the first time. This Church was put up by him in 1863-66 in thanksgiving for his cure from the deadly ‘Malagasy Fever’ contracted at Bourbon in Madagascar while he was a visitor there in 1858. After his cure, the Father had vowed to set up a church in India that would mirror the church of La Salete in France. He chose the mountainous region Kodaikanal to built this special House of God because he wished to emulate the French church encased with in the mighty mountain rains of the alps.
The foundation for Mother Salete Church was laid on 1865 February 28. In the same year March 17 the building work was started with the blessings of Father Saint Cyr. In 1866 the day, when brother Lamothy built the body of the Church, thank's offering was fulfilled. In the year 1866, the last sunday of May, Mother Salete Church was dedicated by Keanos.
Father Saint Ceer expired on January 17th, 1887. His Holy Body was burried at the entrance of the Mother Salete Church.
Festival - From 1866 onwards very last Sunday of May, when the Church was dedicated, a festival was celebrated for Mother Salete. Huge crowd of people travelled from the plains for 3 days and reach Mother Salete Church. The British people complained about the disturbances of the crowd. So this festival was banned up to 1893. In the year 1904 steps were taken to recelebrate the festival and it was succeeded on August 15th. Thus, every year on the 14th and 15th of august, a unique carnival takes place at this church. This brings about the conclusion to a Nine-day festival which attracts a congregation of people from all over south India, irrespective of religion, creed or faith. The festival is marked by special services and a special procession.
The foundation for Mother Salete Church was laid on 1865 February 28. In the same year March 17 the building work was started with the blessings of Father Saint Cyr. In 1866 the day, when brother Lamothy built the body of the Church, thank's offering was fulfilled. In the year 1866, the last sunday of May, Mother Salete Church was dedicated by Keanos.
Father Saint Ceer expired on January 17th, 1887. His Holy Body was burried at the entrance of the Mother Salete Church.
Festival - From 1866 onwards very last Sunday of May, when the Church was dedicated, a festival was celebrated for Mother Salete. Huge crowd of people travelled from the plains for 3 days and reach Mother Salete Church. The British people complained about the disturbances of the crowd. So this festival was banned up to 1893. In the year 1904 steps were taken to recelebrate the festival and it was succeeded on August 15th. Thus, every year on the 14th and 15th of august, a unique carnival takes place at this church. This brings about the conclusion to a Nine-day festival which attracts a congregation of people from all over south India, irrespective of religion, creed or faith. The festival is marked by special services and a special procession.
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