തിരുന്നാൾ കൊടിയേറ്റ് 2024

ST.PETER'S R.C.CHURCH

Moothakara Parish is one of the ancient parishes in the diocese of Quilon. Among the Catholic parishes, it is one of the most exquisite parishes situated at the Coastal areas of Quilon; being incessantly kissed and blessed by the waves of Arabian Sea. Moothakara is the region that spans across the Arabian Sea which shares boundary with Kerala on the Western side and is located on the South of Kollam Corporation; on the shore of Arabian Sea which spans about nine kilometres from Tangasseri to Eravipuram; one kilometere away from the Tangasseri Lighthouse on the East and one kilometere away from the kollam Civil Station on the South; three kilometeres away from Kollam Railway Station; two kilometeres from KSRTC bus stand on the South West and this place is located on the western side just a few meteres away from the great Church of Jonakapuram. The prime means of livelihood of a great number of parishioners is fishing and majority of them are engaged in activities related to fishing industry. Besides, the parishioners consist of Doctors, Engineers, Teachers, Expatriates, Government servants and the faithful who resort to diverse sort of large and small scale industries.

 

History lies in Moothakara

It is found being recorded in the Catholic Directory of India that St. Peter’s Church of Moothakara was established in 1610. Moothakara was a mission centre. At this place, there were fairly a large number of Jesuit missionaries who had to face acute tribulation from the Dutch. For a long period, they had to stay at Kollam and Kottar. The Bishops of Cochin had stayed at Moothakara. Late Bishop of Cochin, Rt. Rev. Clement Jose Colossileithane of Portuguese was buried at the Moothakara Church in 1771 January 31. The Latin tablet which is kept at the church bears testimony to this fact. This information has been recorded in the Travancore Archelogical series ( Volume 8, page 103). Many people still do not know this truth. It was this Bishop, who had intimated the Holy See about the Martyr, Devasahayam Pillai through continous correspondence. On account of that Devasahayan Pillai has been elevated as blessed now. St. Peter’s Church of Moothakara was renovated in 1780. The earlier parishioners were the converted Christians from the Hindu Bharatha Community. The Old generation believes that seven families were the first to come to this Church but some dispute that there were fourteen families. But history proves that Bharathas have come alone as well as with their families at Travancore. There was a bronze-Curfew made in Venice, weighing more than 100 kg in the Church. It had engraved the pictures of twelve Apostles and other Christian symbols. Earlier foreign priests had served at Moothakara.

Other features

In Moothakara Parish, there are several spiritual Units and societies which actively function such as Kombriya Unit, Sacred Heart Society, Legion of Mary of women, Jesus Youth, Charismatic Prayer Group, Vincent de Paul Society, Community of St. Antony and KCYM Unit etc.

After January 20, the feast of St. Sebastian and the Sunday which comes immediately after June29 the feast of St. Peter and the Sunday which follows September 14, the feast of the exaltation of the Holy Cross as well as the Kompriya feast are celebrated.

On the day of the feast of St. Peter, there is a ritualistic tradition as Opening of the Sea. On every Tuesday there follows Thevaram of St. Antony (songs pertaining to the thirteen miracles of St. Antony )On Good Friday after the public display of the Paschal statue, there goes sermons on the sorrows of Christ ( based on the seven holy verses that Christ utters on the cross and what mother Mary tells with distress by laying crucified Christ on her lap). In addition to that, there practices daily Novena of Infant Jesus starting from 8 pm at night and night vigil throughout on Wednesday night.

Infant Jesus of Moothakara

1986, September 12, was a day, which was a prelude to a historical change as far as the Moothakara Parish was concerned. That was the day in which the Church, which was built in the name of St. Peter opened its eye with a new spiritual enlightenment by virtue of the miraculous presence of Infant Jesus. The mothers who belonged to Sacred Heart Society and Legion of Mary installed the holy statue of Infant Jesus and began prayers and Novena with the help of their parish priest, Monsignor Marshel Paliyath. Thus a Hindu housewife who had resided nearby the Church dreamed of a crying handsome boy having worn a long pure white robe. She, who had awoken shocked by listening to the wail of the child, thought at first it as her mere fancy. As she was falling asleep again, she heard again a laugh of a child emanating from the Church. When she got up slowly and looked through the key hole of the church, she could see a boy with a smiling face. She informed of this dream to her neighbours. It spread like a wild fire. Irrespective of caste or creed thousands of believers began to flow to Infant Jesus on daily basis. Prayers and Novenas were incessantly carried out day and night. Several pilgrims fled to Infant Jesus with various needs such as healing for the incurable diseases, for the marriage of daughters, for a better job, to get good scores in the exams etc. Consequently, the shower of blessings of Infant Jesus began to profusely befall on believers and their various needs were fulfilled. The blessings through the intercession of Infant Jesus still persist and those who were subjected to His blessings express immense gratitude.

 

Mother Teresa visited Moothakara on December 20, 1972 and started a Unit of Sodality of Our Lady of Fatima.

 

The old church was renewed in 1780. In 1992 , Vatican Cardinal Fierenco Angeline laid foundation stone and carried out the blessing ceremony. The new Church was blessed on 22 December, 1998.