Our Lady of Lourdes Metropolitan Cathedral
Encyclopedia
Our Lady of Lourdes Metropolitan Cathedral, one of the largest churches in Kerala, is located in the heart of Thrissur
city in the state of Kerala
, India
. Dedicated to Our Lady of Lourdes
, the Roman Catholic church is noted for its imposing interior. The main attraction is an underground shrine, considered a masterpiece of architectural design. Fr John Maliekkal is said to have planned and constructed this church. The exterior of the church features an Indo-European facade with pink spires. The centenary of this church was celebrated during the historic visit of Pope
John Paul II to Thrissur
in 1986. The cathedral church attracts thousands of pilgrims every month.
Thrissur
This article is about the city in India. For the district, see Thrissur district. For the urban agglomeration area of Thrissur see Thrissur Metropolitan Area...
city in the state of Kerala
Kerala
or Keralam is an Indian state located on the Malabar coast of south-west India. It was created on 1 November 1956 by the States Reorganisation Act by combining various Malayalam speaking regions....
, India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
. Dedicated to Our Lady of Lourdes
Our Lady of Lourdes
Our Lady of Lourdes is the name used to refer to the Marian apparition said to have appeared before various individuals on separate occasions around Lourdes, France...
, the Roman Catholic church is noted for its imposing interior. The main attraction is an underground shrine, considered a masterpiece of architectural design. Fr John Maliekkal is said to have planned and constructed this church. The exterior of the church features an Indo-European facade with pink spires. The centenary of this church was celebrated during the historic visit of Pope
Pope
The Pope is the Bishop of Rome, a position that makes him the leader of the worldwide Catholic Church . In the Catholic Church, the Pope is regarded as the successor of Saint Peter, the Apostle...
John Paul II to Thrissur
Thrissur
This article is about the city in India. For the district, see Thrissur district. For the urban agglomeration area of Thrissur see Thrissur Metropolitan Area...
in 1986. The cathedral church attracts thousands of pilgrims every month.
Landmarks
- 1875: A new Syrian Catholic Church was founded in Thrissur; the Marth-Mariyam Valiyapalli erected in 1814 was occupied by Protestants. (For this and following material.)
- 1885: Establishment of our Lady of Lourdes Church (for Roman Catholics)
- 1887: Erection of the vicariate Apostolic of Trichur (May 20) with Mgr. Adolphus Medlycott as the first Vicar Apostolic.
- 1891: Elevation of the Lourdes Church as the Cathedral of the Vicariate of Trichur in exchange for the 1875 Syrian Church for Roman Catholics.
- 1896: Elevation of Mgr. John Menachery (Cathedral Vicar) to the Status of Vicar Apostolic.
- 1923: Elevation of Trichur as Diocese, with Mar Francis Vazhappilly as the first Bishop.
- 1934: Blessing of the chapel near main gate.
- 1952: Blessing of the Chapel in the crypt 75’x 50’
- 1957: Blessing of the present cathedral by Mar George Alappatt.
- 1970: Episcopal consecration of the statue of Our Lady of Lourdes. A solemn conclusion of centenary celebration of the Diocese and of its Cathedral by Pope John Paul II during His Apostolic Visit to Thrissur February 7.
- 1995: Elevation of Trichur as a Metropolitan See, and Lourdes Church as the Metropolitan Cathedral.
- 1996: Blessing of the Centenary Hall.
- 1997: Installation of Mar Jacob Thoomkuzhy Metropolitan Archbishop of Trichur.
- 1998: Blessing of Cemetery Chapel .
- 2004: Episcopal ordination of Mar Andrews Thazhath, the first Auxiliary Bishop of Trichur.