St. Francis Xavier's Cathedral, also known as St. Xavier Church, is a Roman Catholic Latin Rite shrine located in Kottar, Nagercoil, Tamil Nadu, India. Saint Xavier used his cross to protect the people of the Venad kingdom from an invasion by the Padagas during his missionary work in Kottar. King Unni Kerala Varma, impressed by this act, became close friends with the priest and allocated land for the construction of a Catholic church as a token of gratitude.
The church, originally built on the site of a small church dedicated to Mary the Mother of God in AD 1544, was officially constructed in 1600. Over the years, the Shrine of Mary was renovated and expanded in 1865, and in 1930, the church was designated as a cathedral. The annual festival held from November 24th to December 3rd attracts pilgrims from various backgrounds who visit the Cathedral of St. Francis Xavier in Kottar to offer prayers and show appreciation for the miracles attributed to Saint Xavier. His reputation for granting favours has earned him the endearing title in Tamil, "Kettavaram tharum Kottaru Saveriar," which translates to "Xavier of Kottar, the grantor of all favours."
📨 Kottar
The Shrine of St. Francis Xavier and the historical town of Kottar, now part of Nagercoil, have deep-rooted histories. Kottar, acting as the commercial centre of Nagercoil, is located by the Pazhayaru River, where it bends south before meeting the sea. The name "Kottaru" in Tamil means the bend of the river. In the first century AD, Kottar was significant, visited by Ptolemy and recognized as a "Metropolis." It is also mentioned in the periplus of the second century. As the southern capital of the Venad Kingdom, Kottar was a melting pot of cultures, welcoming people from various backgrounds, including the Chavalakars, linked to the Paravars of Cape Comorin. Francis Xavier came from Goa to the Southern coast to spread Christianity among the Chavalakars and those in the Manappadu region, strengthening their faith.
📝 Cult of St. Francis Xavier at Kottar 📝
The Portuguese highlighted the fact that Christian saints originated from ordinary people and acted as true representatives of the people. They encouraged the worship of Francis Xavier, a well-known missionary in Tamilnadu, so that Christians could greatly benefit from his holy presence. As the process of canonizing St. Francis Xavier advanced at the Sacred Congregation of Rites in Rome, the Jesuits conducted official investigations in various locations such as Mylapore, Devanampattinam, Nagapattinam, Punnaikayal, and Tuticorin, as well as in Goa, Cochin, and Quilon in India. The official canonization in 1622 by Gregory XV (1621-1623) significantly enhanced the following of Xavier among the Jesuits, as many individuals along the Tamil Coast were converted by his teachings. Historical Portuguese records indicate the establishment of a church dedicated to the Holy Trinity in Kottar (near Nagercoil) in 1603, with the support of Christians from neighbouring areas like Manakkudi, Pallam, and Rachimadam. The church contained a portrait of St. Francis Xavier, reflecting the profound devotion of the local Christians towards him. Over time, the Christians in Kottar began to share stories of divine blessings received through the intervention of Francis Xavier, turning Kottar into a prominent place of pilgrimage.
Source : CASTE, CATHOLIC CHRISTIANITY AND THE LANGUAGE OF CONVERSION
Social Change and Cultural Translation in Tamil Country, 1519-1774
📨 Saint Francis Xavier
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| Saint Francis Xavier |
In 1541, Francis Xavier set off from Lisbon, Portugal to India, arriving in Goa a year later. After some time spent spreading the faith in Goa, he moved to the southern coast. Upon reaching Manappadu in Thuthukudi diocese, Francis Xavier began his missionary work by educating and strengthening the local community in their beliefs.
By 1544, Francis Xavier was actively involved in Travancore, aiding and safeguarding the Christians of Cape Comorin regions who had been displaced by Vadugars. With Captain Vittal Rao leading the Vijayanagar army, they marched towards capturing the Venad Kingdom, with the Pandian and Chola armies uniting forces. When news of the Badaga armies advancing towards Kottar spread, the residents fled in fear. Francis Xavier, who was staying in a hut in Kottar, quickly moved to an elevated area in Vadasery, just two kilometres north of Kottar, and stood holding a cross. The marauding army, intimidated by the presence of the holy man with the cross, retreated upon his advice not to proceed. This event led to the establishment of the Cathedral Church at Kottar, where Francis Xavier built a Chapel for Our Lady on land donated by the King and conducted Mass. He then travelled along the Coastal region, baptizing and teaching over 10,000 fishermen, known as Arasars or Mukkuvars, from Puvar to Pallam, now part of the Archdiocese of Trivandrum in Kerala.
📨 The Kottar Church
After the death of Francis Xavier in 1552, the Church in Kottar became a popular pilgrimage site for the people in the southern region. In 1616, the Christians in Kottar erected a cross in honour of Fr. Francis Xavier in a pagan town. They also placed his picture there, and it became known as the Cross of Father, Master Xavier. In Tamil, it was called Saveriar Kurusady. Later, in 1660, a Church dedicated to the Conversion of St. Paul was built in Kottar, with Fr. Andreas Buseria S.J. as the Parish Priest in charge. It is believed that Fr. Buseria placed a picture either in the Church or at the Kurusady-Cappella near the Church. Kottar has been considered the second most sacred shrine to Francis Xavier, after Goa. Fr. Andreas Buserio S.J. used to celebrate Xavier's feast every year on the day of his death, and many Christians from the coast would gather there for the occasion. Therefore, the pilgrimage to Kottar Church has a long history of over 400 years and is not a recent development.
The people were drawn to Kottar by the countless miracles that had occurred there, which were well documented. These miracles were mentioned in the official declaration of sainthood issued by Pope Urban VIII in 1623. One of the most popular miracles involved the revival of a one-month-old baby who had passed away and was being taken to the cemetery for burial. The parents, filled with faith, promised to name the child Francis if it were to come back to life. To their immense joy, the baby was indeed revived, and news of this miracle quickly spread throughout the country.
Another miracle associated with the saint and acknowledged during his canonization involved a fisherman named Perumal Panical, who lived near Kottar Church. Perumal was not only a fisherman but also a poet and a teacher who had a deep knowledge of the catechism. Ten years before the construction of the church, he composed a poem in honor of the Holy Faith and Fr. Nicholas Spinola, the superior of the Jesuit College in Kollam. Despite Fr. Buserio's unsuccessful attempts to convert him, he believed that Perumal would be an ideal custodian and headman of the Church. However, over time, Perumal contracted leprosy, and his condition worsened despite various treatments. In desperation, he prostrated himself in front of a picture of Francis Xavier, praising him in poems and applying the oil from the lamps burning in front of the Shrine all over his body. Miraculously, he began to recover and was completely cured of leprosy. He was then named Francis and later appointed as the headman of the church.
The Church of Francis Xavier in Kottar has gained a significant reputation as a place of miracles since ancient times. It is no surprise that it continues to attract pilgrims from near and far throughout the years. Even before Francis Xavier's canonization, the church was known as Xavier's Church or Saveriar Kovil in Tamil. After his canonization, the church was rebuilt and dedicated to him. In the early 17th century, the offerings in the form of money and oil brought to the church were so abundant that they were sufficient for its maintenance.
📨 Shrine of Our Lady
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| The Chapel St. Francis Xavier Built and Prayed |
The Shrine of Our Lady, built in 1865, is located where the original chapel of Our Lady once stood. It is a small space with an altar holding an ancient statue of B.V.M. The Shrine's floor is slightly below ground level, showing its age and the effort to maintain its sanctity. A little angel at the top of the recedes holds a scroll with a Tamil inscription inviting visitors to worship where the saint's feet touched.
Throughout the year, pilgrims visit the Shrine, especially during the feast celebration from November 24 to December 3. Bishops and Priests often hold Mass at the Shrine, and Hindu pilgrims also visit after their ritual bath. The Shrine of Our Lady is a sacred place where people come to pray and seek blessings, honoring the history and significance of the site.
📨 Martyr Devasahayam Pillai
In 1752, the Church of St. Francis Xavier gained even more significance when the remains of the brave Martyr Devasahayam were laid to rest within its sanctuary. Neelakanda Pillai, an official in the court of King Marthanda Varma of Travancore, embraced Christianity after being influenced by E.B. de Lannoy, a Dutch Navy Captain who was captured and serving the King. Neelakanda Pillai was baptized as Devasahayam-Lazarus by Fr. John Baptist Putari S.J. at Vadakankulam. The King was enraged upon hearing about the conversion and attempted unsuccessfully to convince Devasahayam to renounce his faith. Despite being labeled a traitor, Devasahayam endured imprisonment and torture for three years. Following the King's orders, he was taken to Kattadimalai at Aralvaimozhi, on the border between the Travancore and Pandya Kingdoms, where he was shot and killed on January 14, 1752. Christians discovered his body and brought it to Kottar for burial in the sanctuary. The tomb of this courageous Servant of God, whose path to Sainthood is advancing, has become a place of pilgrimage.
📨 Saint Xavier's Cathedral Renovations & Additions
From a Kurusady in the sixteenth century, the Church of the Conversion of St. Paul which later became the Church of Francis Xavier, has undergone many renovations and additions. In 1865, the Church of Kottar was enlarged with the addition of Cruciform wings and the present sanctuary and vaulted over. In the same year the Shrine of Our Lady was renovated and vaulted over. In 1930, thanks to the recommendation of the saintly Bishop Aloysius Maria Benziger OCD of Kollam, the Southern part of the Kollam diocese was bifurcated to form the new diocese of Kottar with Msgr. Lawrence Pereira as its first bishop. The Church of St. Francis Xavier and the Rectory became the Cathedral and the residence of the new bishop. It continued as Bishops' Residence until it moved to the present location. In 1942, in commemoration of the fourth centenary of the arrival of St. Francis Xavier in India, a beautiful tower was erected to the Saint in the Cathedral premises, as well as the Grotto to our Blessed Mother and a small Shrine to St. Ignatius, who had sent him to India. The pretty statue that adorns the main altar is said to have been brought from Goa. There is also a major relic of the Saint which is exposed to the veneration of the pilgrims during the feast days. The Cathedral has acquired many styles of architectures. The old church and the vaulting were Romanesque, the extensions and the exterior are Gothic, while the fine stone Mandapam ( Lobby or Vestibule) in front is purely Indian. The entire church presents an imposing and pleasing appearance and a look of greatness.
📨 The History and Growth of St. Xaviers Church at Kottar
In 1603, a small church was built with mud and wood.
In 1640, the church was reconstructed with stones (Report of the Society of Jesus, 1644). In 1640, the church constructed with mud and wood, was reconstructed into a new church with stones and in 1643 the sacred relics of St. Ignatius Loyola and St. Francis Xavier were safeguarded there.
In 1752, the mortal remains of Devasagayam Pillai was buried at St. Xavier’s Church.
According to the report (1698) sent by Fr. Gomes Andreas, head of the Society of Jesus, Cochin to Fr. Gonzales, head of the S.J. at Rome, a big church at Kottar was built near the small church with stones. According to the report of the Society of Jesus (1733), “Kottar was a big town. It was the headquarters of all Christian Churches of that area. A big church was there and it was dedicated to St. Francis Xavier, the first foreign missionary to visit Kottar.
📨 Extension of the Church
In 1865, the new church was extended on the western, northern and southern sides. So the church looked like a cross. Tiles on the roof were removed and a high dome was constructed above the main altar. A dome was also constructed at the small church (St. Mary’s). Mt. Rev. T.R. Agnisamy, the second bishop of Kottar Diocese was buried in St. Mary’s church on 7th May 1974.
📨 Wooden Alter
In 1876, an architect from Kollam, Jokin Fernandes designed the main altar in wood. The wooden statue of St. Francis Xavier kept in the altar was brought from Goa.
📨 Construction of a Mandap
During the end of the 19th century a mandap was constructed in front of the church with big stone pillars. The stone pillar mandap represents Indian culture. This mandap was designed and constructed by the architect John Louis Fernandes. Later on when he died he was buried in the mandap itself.
📨 The Tower
In memory of the 400th year of St. Xavier’s arrival in India, a tower and the statue of St. Xavier on the top of it and a grotto of St.Lourdes nearby were constructed at the northeastern side of the church campus. That was donated by J.A.D. Victoria of Manapad of Tuticorin Diocese.
Kottar Diocese was formed on May 30th 1930. St. Xavier’s Church, at Kottar was declared cathedral. Mt. Rev. Lawrence Pereira, the first Bishop of the Kottar Diocese was buried in the church on 05.01.1938. Mt. Rev. Leon Dharmaraj, the fourth bishop of Kottar Diocese was also buried in the main altar of the church.
When Fr. Barnabas was the priest of St. Xavier’s Cathedral in 1956, the western, southern and northern sides of the church were extended further. The St. Mary’s Church was annexed and became a part of the main church. In memory of the silver jubilee celebration of Kottar Diocese a tall tower was erected on the northern side of the church and blessed by Mt. Rev. T.R. Agnisamy, Bishop of the Diocese on November 24th, 1956.
When Fr. Berchmans was the parish priest of the cathedral, the church compound wall was extended further on the northwestern side and a new exit gate was opened for the convenience of the people during the festival seasons. Fr. Berchmans in 2009 constructed a new flag post covered with bronze in typical Travancore style. This type of flag post is unique in churches of Tamilnadu. After seeing the beauty of the flag post, many churches in Kottar, Palayamkottai and Tuticorin Dioceses started to convert their flag posts in the model of St. Xavier’s Church at Kottar. In 2009 a new tall statue of St. Xavier was erected at the entrance of the church.
📨 Renovation of the Alter
In 2010, Fr. Berchmans brought artisans from Goa to renovate the main altar of the church. At present the wooden portions of the main altar, the statue of St. Xavier and wooden portion of St. Mary’s Church were covered with gold. Now the main altar and the St. Xavier’s Statue glitter brightly. Nowhere in Tamilnadu can we see such a beautifully glittering altar and the statue of St. Xavier.
In 2011, parish priest Fr. Robert Julius and the co-priest Fr. Amuthavalan are taking tremendous efforts to change the colour of the outer walls of the spacious church into milky white. To give this new color to the church and for other renovation works, the church needs nearly Rs.3 million. The parish priest is collecting the money from people as donations. People, who have great faith in St. Xavier, are contributing for this work.
The Mt. Rev. Peter Remigius, the fifth and the present Bishop of the Kottar Diocese and the parish priest of the Cathedral are taking steps to upgrade the St. Xavier’s Cathedral to the status of Basilica.The glory, fame, reputation and miracles of this ancient St. Francis Xavier’s Church at Kottar shall grow in the centuries to come.
In 1603, a small church was built with mud and wood.
In 1640, the church was reconstructed with stones (Report of the Society of Jesus, 1644). In 1640, the church constructed with mud and wood, was reconstructed into a new church with stones and in 1643 the sacred relics of St. Ignatius Loyola and St. Francis Xavier were safeguarded there.
In 1752, the mortal remains of Devasagayam Pillai was buried at St. Xavier’s Church.
According to the report (1698) sent by Fr. Gomes Andreas, head of the Society of Jesus, Cochin to Fr. Gonzales, head of the S.J. at Rome, a big church at Kottar was built near the small church with stones. According to the report of the Society of Jesus (1733), “Kottar was a big town. It was the headquarters of all Christian Churches of that area. A big church was there and it was dedicated to St. Francis Xavier, the first foreign missionary to visit Kottar.
📨 Extension of the Church
In 1865, the new church was extended on the western, northern and southern sides. So the church looked like a cross. Tiles on the roof were removed and a high dome was constructed above the main altar. A dome was also constructed at the small church (St. Mary’s). Mt. Rev. T.R. Agnisamy, the second bishop of Kottar Diocese was buried in St. Mary’s church on 7th May 1974.
📨 Wooden Alter
In 1876, an architect from Kollam, Jokin Fernandes designed the main altar in wood. The wooden statue of St. Francis Xavier kept in the altar was brought from Goa.
📨 Construction of a Mandap
During the end of the 19th century a mandap was constructed in front of the church with big stone pillars. The stone pillar mandap represents Indian culture. This mandap was designed and constructed by the architect John Louis Fernandes. Later on when he died he was buried in the mandap itself.
📨 The Tower
In memory of the 400th year of St. Xavier’s arrival in India, a tower and the statue of St. Xavier on the top of it and a grotto of St.Lourdes nearby were constructed at the northeastern side of the church campus. That was donated by J.A.D. Victoria of Manapad of Tuticorin Diocese.
Kottar Diocese was formed on May 30th 1930. St. Xavier’s Church, at Kottar was declared cathedral. Mt. Rev. Lawrence Pereira, the first Bishop of the Kottar Diocese was buried in the church on 05.01.1938. Mt. Rev. Leon Dharmaraj, the fourth bishop of Kottar Diocese was also buried in the main altar of the church.
When Fr. Barnabas was the priest of St. Xavier’s Cathedral in 1956, the western, southern and northern sides of the church were extended further. The St. Mary’s Church was annexed and became a part of the main church. In memory of the silver jubilee celebration of Kottar Diocese a tall tower was erected on the northern side of the church and blessed by Mt. Rev. T.R. Agnisamy, Bishop of the Diocese on November 24th, 1956.
When Fr. Berchmans was the parish priest of the cathedral, the church compound wall was extended further on the northwestern side and a new exit gate was opened for the convenience of the people during the festival seasons. Fr. Berchmans in 2009 constructed a new flag post covered with bronze in typical Travancore style. This type of flag post is unique in churches of Tamilnadu. After seeing the beauty of the flag post, many churches in Kottar, Palayamkottai and Tuticorin Dioceses started to convert their flag posts in the model of St. Xavier’s Church at Kottar. In 2009 a new tall statue of St. Xavier was erected at the entrance of the church.
📨 Renovation of the Alter
In 2010, Fr. Berchmans brought artisans from Goa to renovate the main altar of the church. At present the wooden portions of the main altar, the statue of St. Xavier and wooden portion of St. Mary’s Church were covered with gold. Now the main altar and the St. Xavier’s Statue glitter brightly. Nowhere in Tamilnadu can we see such a beautifully glittering altar and the statue of St. Xavier.
In 2011, parish priest Fr. Robert Julius and the co-priest Fr. Amuthavalan are taking tremendous efforts to change the colour of the outer walls of the spacious church into milky white. To give this new color to the church and for other renovation works, the church needs nearly Rs.3 million. The parish priest is collecting the money from people as donations. People, who have great faith in St. Xavier, are contributing for this work.
The Mt. Rev. Peter Remigius, the fifth and the present Bishop of the Kottar Diocese and the parish priest of the Cathedral are taking steps to upgrade the St. Xavier’s Cathedral to the status of Basilica.The glory, fame, reputation and miracles of this ancient St. Francis Xavier’s Church at Kottar shall grow in the centuries to come.
📨 Feast of Saint Francis Xavier
The annual feast of St. Francis Xavier is being celebrated every year from November 24- December 3, with great piety and fanfare. Each year the number of pilgrims increases by leaps and pounds and the District Administration declares a public holiday for the district of Kanyakumari, on December 3. It is one of the few Christian Churches in India that enjoys a public holiday declared by the secular government. All the nine days of the feast are being celebrated by various groups of people of all creeds which include government employees, teachers, local merchants and transport corporation workers etc. The evening novena mass is followed by public meeting presided over by Government Officials who distribute helps to the needy and the programs conclude with Music and Dance. One of the highlight of the ten-day celebration is the grand Car procession with the statues of the Blessed Virgin Mary and St. Francis Xavier. The honor is always given to the Blessed Mother, decked with rich jewels and ornaments, offered in thanksgiving by the devotees. Men and women, including Hindus, prostrate in front of the Cars in observance of their vows and penance. The Car procession, a remnant of the Hindu custom, attracts thousands of people all the final three days of the feast.
📑 In the Cathedral 📑
📓 The Chapel where St. Francis Xavier prayed during his stay in Kottar where Eucharistic Adoration goes on from morning till evening on all week days.
📓 The Main Altar dedicated for St. Francis Xavier decorated with 24ct Gold.
📓 The Holy Tomb of Saint Devasahayam Pillai.
📓 The Relics of St. Francis Xavier, St. Ignatius Loyola and Blessed Devasahayam Pillai are also preserved in the cathedral.
Reference
📗 Wikipedia
📗 Diocese of Kottar
