Alamelupuram Poondi is a tiny village, situated in the Thiruvaiyaru taluk of Thanjavur district of the state of Tamilnadu in South India. The nearest town about 3kms away, is Thirukattupalli. The hamlet of Poondi is blessed by God with copious potable water from the great rivers of Tamil Nadu namely the Cauvery and the Colleroon as they flow on the Southern and northern sides of the village.The population mainly consists of both Hindus and Catholics.The principal occupation of the residents is agriculture. The natural environment of the village is extremely conducive for healthy living. The nearest railway station is Budalore about 10 kms from Poondi, and is on the main railway line between Tiruchirappalli and Thanjavur. The village is surrounded by coconut grove, paddy and sugar-cane fields and rich natural vegetation.

Rev.Fr.Lourdes Xavier was appointed as Parish Priest on 1st September 1955. His immediate attention was given to improve the condition of the Church, the central roof of which was in a precarious condition. Father feared that it might collapse at any moment causing great damage. So he consulted an engineer. They wanted to demolish only the central roof wihout any damage to the front elevation the dome and the altar.It was estimated it would cost Rs.1500 then to demolish the roof alone. Fr.Lourdes Xavier was worried as it was too much for him and moreover it would be beyond his means to find the necessary funds to reconstruct the Church. Fr.Lourdes Xavier being a great devotee of Our Lady, must have prayed to Our Lady in Poondi to reveal to all, about Her desire to make this village a pilgrimage centre.

On Friday 22nd November 1956 around 1:00p.m. the roof of the Church collapsed leaving whatever Father wanted to be left intact that is the front elevation, the dome, the altar and the sidewings. A sign of relief was in Fr.Lourdes Xavier's face, who stood in the midst of wonder struck people of the village. The Miraculous Mother of Poondi helped to demolish the roof and thus helped Fr.Lourdes Xavier to rebuild the Church. Later on a miraculous cure of blindness received by a lady who came to Fr.Lourdes Xavier confirmed the opinion of Fr.Lourdes Xavier that Our Lady wished to manifest the glory of God from Poondi. The foundation for the new Church was blessed by His Excellency, Rt.Rev.D.Paul Arulsamy D.D.Bishop of Kumbakonam  on the last Saturday of May 1957. Encouraged with the blessings from the Bishop, Fr.Lourdes Xavier started the work. Father himself was surprised at the way financial assistance came in from everywhere. Many people from all  parts of India and abroad sent money towards the construction. The Church was completed and consecrated by the same Bishop on the first Saturday of May 1964. Fr.Lourdes Xavier himself a great devotee of Our Lady, prayed with confidence and blessed all those who came to the Shrine. People from all walks of life, irrespective of Religion came to the Shrine to thank their Mother for favours received or to pray for favours. "The Miraculous Mother of Poondi " as she was called by Rev.Fr.Lourdes Xavier, came to be known to the people of all communities. The number of the pilgrims to the Shrine increased day by day.
"The Miraculous Mother of Poondi " blessed all Her devotees by granting their wishes and solving their problems. Fr.Lourdes Xavier built a few rooms to provide accomodation to the pilgrims. A small canteen was also available to provide them with food. It was during the time of Fr.Lourdes Xavier that the Shrine received its prominence. His tireless work for spreading the Message of our Lord Jesus Christ to people of all Religion and his ever increasing interest in the troubles and tribulations of people who came with confidence to " The Miraculous Mother of Poondi" affected his fragile body and he fell sick and passed away on 16th April 1972.