History (Our Lady of Good Health Shrine - Vadugarpettai)

In ancient days the Jesuit missionaries called it Varagupetti. The Parish of Vadugarpettai is one of the ancient Parishes of the Diocese of Kumbakonam. The origin of its Christian community goes back to the middle of 17th century. Even St. John De Britto was one of our Parish Priest. It was Fr.Antony Proenza S.J. who preached the good news first to the people of Vadugarpettai and established a small Christian community in the earlier part of 1666. Then the young Christians were left without missionary for about 10 years.

Rev.Fr.Emmanuel Rogrigues was the first Parish Priest who came to server the mission in 1676. Since then there had been a good number of Jesuit Missionaries who had rendered their valuable services, one after another, in this mission. Vadugarpettai had suffered much from the repeated invasions of the Muslim armies from the North. Besides, the faith of the Christians was often tested by the local authorities and Hindu yogis who created obstacles and inconveniences, to the practice of their religion. But the first Christians exhibited their firmness in their faith. In 1682 Vadugarpettai-mission extended to 86 km from East to West and to 26 Km from North to South.

FR. Constantine Beschi (Veeramamunivar)

Fr.Beschi has served in this mission for two years, from Dec. 1717 to 1720. The Statue of Our Lady of Good Health is reported to have been brought from Manila, the capital of Philippines and installed by Veerama Munivar himself at this Church. This statue is a rare one, for the Mother is seen wearing ear-rings and locks of hair falling over her shoulders. It was Fr.Antony Francis Ricardi who served in this Mission for six long years from 1729 to 1735, which was unusual in those days. In 1734 he was pierced twice by the Muslim soldiers and succumbed to the wounds in Sept. 22, 1735. He was buried near the Parish house. Even now miraculous favours are attributed to him. .

In 1760 the Nawab of Tiruchirapally had donated to the Church a vast land of which only a small portion belongs to the Church now.

After the Jesuits the Goan Priests administered the Vadugarpettai Mission for about 70 years. Then followed the missionaries of MEP, France, Vadugarpettai has a long history of a flourishing Christian community.

The Church is dedicated to Our Lady of Good Health. In the course of years it has grown into a Shrine. It is now often called the Veilanganni of Tiruchi the feast is celebrated on 8th September. Different communities of Christians concur and celebrate the annual feast peacefully. The Shrine Church was built in 1831. And in 1997 a new and elegant Church was built at the back-side of the then old one.

The Holy Cross Sisters of Tiruchi are running a Higher Secondary School for girls. They also run a home for the handicapped children. The Parish manages a middle School.

Mass Timings & Devotionals

Contact us

Rev. Fr. A.Antony Joseph
Parish Priest
Shrine of Our Lady of Good Health
Vadugarpet P.O.
Kallakudy Via
Trichy Dt - 621 651
South India
Phone: 04329 235509.