OUR MOTHER OF THE SNOWS (TUTICORIN) - 05th Aug

 The history of Shrine Basilica of Our Mother of Snows is closely connected with the history of the conversion of the Paravars of the Pearl Fishery Coast. 

    Once the Paravars of Pearl Fishery Coast had a sharp dispute with the Muslims of this area regarding the right of Pearl Fishing. The leaders of Parava villages requested the 

    Portuguese to rescue them from the cruelties of the Muslims and they were routed. As a token of gratitude to their redeemers, 

    the Paravars from about 22 villages numbering about 30,000 embraced Christianity in the year 1535-37. In October 1542, St. Francis Xavier arrived on the shores of the Pearl 

    Fishery Coast to catechize them and strengthen them further in their faith. The beautiful statue of Our Mother of Snows has always been looked upon as a miraculous one, 

    as many miracles are said to have occurred in the Shrine from the time of its installation at St. Paul’s Church. In 1582, through the efforts of the Jesuits, 

    a Church dedicated to Our Mother of Mercy was consecrated by Msgr. Devoura, the Bishop of Cochin on 5th August, the Feast of Our Mother of Snows.





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