Our Lady of Snows Basilica
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Our Lady of Snows Shrine Basilica is located at Tuticorin, Tamil Nadu, India. It is one of the Catholic pilgrimage centers in India dedicated to the Virgin Mary.
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[edit] History
It is dated that the church was built during 16th century, dedicated to St.Peter and later Jesuits consecrated to Our Lady of Snows. In 1542 St.Francis Xavier visited the shrine to catechize the paravars, the indigenous people of the Pearl Fishery Coast, and strengthen them in Christian faith. Because the history of the shrine is closely connected with the mass conversion of the paravar community, numbering about 30,000.
In 1982, when the Church of Our Lady of Snows celebrated the 400th anniversary, Pope John Paul II raised it to the status of Basillica through his apostolic letter Pervenute illa Dei Beatissimae Genitricis Effigies.
[edit] Golden Car
To show their love and gratitude, devotees presented a golden car, which is used to carry the miraculous statue of Our Lady of Snows around the town during her feast day. The Golden Car was first taken in procession on 2nd February 1806 and then onwards 5th August of every year. A Big star rests over the royal crown on the top of the car, signifying the name of Our Lady as the Star of the Sea (Stella Maris).
[edit] See also
Other Catholic pilgrimage centers
- Basilica of Our Lady of Good Health, Velankanni, Tamil Nadu, India.
- Poondi Matha Basilica (Our Lady of Lourdes Basilica, Poondi), Tamil Nadu, India.
