National Shrine Basilica of Our Lady of Ransom
National Shrine Basilica of Our Lady of Ransom, Vallarpadam, Ernakulam - 682504
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Brief history of Vallarpadam
The National Shrine Basilica of Our Lady of Vallarpadam is popularly known as the Lourdes of Kerala. It belongs to the Archdiocese of Varapoly. People all parts of Kerala and outside, irrespective of cast and creed come here to seek the blessings of Mary, the Mother of Jesus, traditionally known here as Vallarpadathamma. Kochi the “Queen of Arabian Sea” has got a number of small Islands in the backwaters and Vallarpadam is one such island having an area of only six kilometers. On it stands the magnificent Basilica of Our Lady of Vallarpadam. Till 2004 the access of Vallarpadam was only by the regular boat service, of course, though the breathtakingly beautiful backwaters. After the construction of the Goshree bridges make the access a lot easier and faster.
Christianity of Vallarpadam
It is with the arrival of the Portuguese missionaries by the end of 15th century the mass conversions and Latinization started in India. The Portuguese were both colonialists as well as strong Christian specialized in Church architecture. No doubt they formed colonies in Kerala especially in Christian dominated areas but more than that they built beautiful churches, they built was the one at Vallarpadam. It was actually a reconstruction of the damaged church at Vallarpadam, the first church ever in Asia to be named after the Holy Spirit. On the Pentecost Day in 1524, the Christians of Vallarpadam were accepted in to the Latin rite, en-masse, and to commemorate that event the Portuguese missionaries dedicated an altar to Our Lady of Ransom venerating it with the portrait of Blessed Virgin Mary of Mercy, which they had brought from Portugal. Many people experienced miraculous healings, others a strong sense of protection after praying at this altar. From that day onwards the Holy Spirit as well as that of Our Lady of Ransom is being celebrated with much solemnity.
Paliyath Valiyachan and Our Lady’s Portrait
In 1676 a heavy flood destroyed the church at Vallarpadam, devastating the area almost totally. The Portrait of Our Lady of Ransom was seen the swollen river. Many tried to retrieve the Portrait but in vain. Then the Divan (Prime Minister) to the King of Cochin, Paliyath Valiyachan Succeeded in retrieving it from the water. He was surprised to find that the picture was not wet! His surprise gave way to piety as he heard about the many miracles experienced by the devotees. Getting down at Vallarpadam and realizing the need, he donated a sizable area of land on the waterside to build a new church enshrining this portrait. When the new church was blessed the generous Divan also donated Sanctuary Lamp which has been burning day in and day out from 1676 onwards. The oil for burning the Sanctuary Lamp was regularly supplied from ancestral palace of the Divan. The flag post at the church courtyard marks the place the Divan landed. As a symbol of unparalleled devotion to Our Lady of Ransom the Pontifical high mass on 24th September begins with the pouring of the oil in the sanctuary by the Royal family members and lighting it.
The Miraculous Rescue from the Deep Back-waters
On 23rd May 1752, a Nair lady, Meenakshi-Amma and her son of Palliyil House, Vallarpadam, were going to the family temple Mattanchery. When the boat reached the deep waters the gales blew and the boat was tossed up and down by the towering waves. Immediately boat capsized in the heavy storm. Meenakshi-Amma seeing that there is no way to escape, implored Vallarpadathamma to save them and vowed that they would be her slaves (Adima) for rest of their lives. Those who escaped catastrophe reported the whole thing to others and people came in boats with nets to rescue the mother and the child. In the bad weather they couldn’t continue much longer. The next day they searched again but had to abandon the efforts due to the storm.
Meenakshi-Amma’s faith in Our Lady was indomitable and so her prayer with deep faith was readily heard. She was miraculously found on the third day and saved by the local people who cast nets across the river as per the instructions of the Vicar of the church, Rev. Fr. Miguel Correa. It was recorded by the priest that Our Lady appeared to him for consecutive nights in the dream and on the third day he could not but instruct to search for the lost mother and her son. The news reverberated across the land of Kerala and people from all walks of life flocked to the church not only to pray but also to see Meenakshi-Amma and her child and to hear the very mouth of her the encounter with Our Lady.
The National Shrine Basilica of Our Lady of Vallarpadam is popularly known as the Lourdes of Kerala. It belongs to the Archdiocese of Varapoly. People all parts of Kerala and outside, irrespective of cast and creed come here to seek the blessings of Mary, the Mother of Jesus, traditionally known here as Vallarpadathamma. Kochi the “Queen of Arabian Sea” has got a number of small Islands in the backwaters and Vallarpadam is one such island having an area of only six kilometers. On it stands the magnificent Basilica of Our Lady of Vallarpadam. Till 2004 the access of Vallarpadam was only by the regular boat service, of course, though the breathtakingly beautiful backwaters. After the construction of the Goshree bridges make the access a lot easier and faster.
Christianity of Vallarpadam
It is with the arrival of the Portuguese missionaries by the end of 15th century the mass conversions and Latinization started in India. The Portuguese were both colonialists as well as strong Christian specialized in Church architecture. No doubt they formed colonies in Kerala especially in Christian dominated areas but more than that they built beautiful churches, they built was the one at Vallarpadam. It was actually a reconstruction of the damaged church at Vallarpadam, the first church ever in Asia to be named after the Holy Spirit. On the Pentecost Day in 1524, the Christians of Vallarpadam were accepted in to the Latin rite, en-masse, and to commemorate that event the Portuguese missionaries dedicated an altar to Our Lady of Ransom venerating it with the portrait of Blessed Virgin Mary of Mercy, which they had brought from Portugal. Many people experienced miraculous healings, others a strong sense of protection after praying at this altar. From that day onwards the Holy Spirit as well as that of Our Lady of Ransom is being celebrated with much solemnity.
Paliyath Valiyachan and Our Lady’s Portrait
In 1676 a heavy flood destroyed the church at Vallarpadam, devastating the area almost totally. The Portrait of Our Lady of Ransom was seen the swollen river. Many tried to retrieve the Portrait but in vain. Then the Divan (Prime Minister) to the King of Cochin, Paliyath Valiyachan Succeeded in retrieving it from the water. He was surprised to find that the picture was not wet! His surprise gave way to piety as he heard about the many miracles experienced by the devotees. Getting down at Vallarpadam and realizing the need, he donated a sizable area of land on the waterside to build a new church enshrining this portrait. When the new church was blessed the generous Divan also donated Sanctuary Lamp which has been burning day in and day out from 1676 onwards. The oil for burning the Sanctuary Lamp was regularly supplied from ancestral palace of the Divan. The flag post at the church courtyard marks the place the Divan landed. As a symbol of unparalleled devotion to Our Lady of Ransom the Pontifical high mass on 24th September begins with the pouring of the oil in the sanctuary by the Royal family members and lighting it.
The Miraculous Rescue from the Deep Back-waters
On 23rd May 1752, a Nair lady, Meenakshi-Amma and her son of Palliyil House, Vallarpadam, were going to the family temple Mattanchery. When the boat reached the deep waters the gales blew and the boat was tossed up and down by the towering waves. Immediately boat capsized in the heavy storm. Meenakshi-Amma seeing that there is no way to escape, implored Vallarpadathamma to save them and vowed that they would be her slaves (Adima) for rest of their lives. Those who escaped catastrophe reported the whole thing to others and people came in boats with nets to rescue the mother and the child. In the bad weather they couldn’t continue much longer. The next day they searched again but had to abandon the efforts due to the storm.
Meenakshi-Amma’s faith in Our Lady was indomitable and so her prayer with deep faith was readily heard. She was miraculously found on the third day and saved by the local people who cast nets across the river as per the instructions of the Vicar of the church, Rev. Fr. Miguel Correa. It was recorded by the priest that Our Lady appeared to him for consecutive nights in the dream and on the third day he could not but instruct to search for the lost mother and her son. The news reverberated across the land of Kerala and people from all walks of life flocked to the church not only to pray but also to see Meenakshi-Amma and her child and to hear the very mouth of her the encounter with Our Lady.
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National Shrine Basilica of Our Lady of Ransom
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