The Basilica of Our Lady of Ransom, popularly known as Vallarpadam church , is an ancient church built in 1524. Located in the middle of Vallarpadam in Kerala, it is one of the most important Christian pilgrim centres in South India. The building was destroyed in the flood and rebuilt by the Portuguese in 1676.
Vallarapdam church was originally built in in 1524. The building was destroyed in the flood and rebuilt by the Portuguese in 1676. Today, this basilica church is one of the most important Christian pilgrim centres in South India.
People from all parts of Kerala and outside, irrespective of caste or creed go to the church to seek the blessings of Mary, the mother of Jesus, popularly known as “Vallarpadathamma”. Our Lady of Ransom in this church is addressed as Vallarpadamma – a malayaalam combination word indicating the Mother who resides in Vallarpadam.
History
This Basilica which is a national Shrine has a long history. In the year 1524, Portuguese missionaries who came with Vasco Da Gama established a chapel dedicated to the Holy Spirit with a picture of Blessed Virgin Mary in the form of Our Lady of Ransom. This is the first Church in Asia dedicated to the Holy Spirit.
The Flood of 1676
In 1676 the old Church, which was known as the Church of the Holy Spirit, founded by the Portuguese missionaries, was destroyed by the heavy flood and the picture of Our Lady was found floating in the backwaters. Nobody except Paliyath Raman Valiyachan, the Prime Minister of Maharaja of Cochin, could recover it. The beautiful church at Vallarpadam which you see now is built on the land which was donated by Paliyath Raman Valiyachan. He is gratefully remembered in Vallarpadathamma and his generosity towards the church. Valiyachan donated his land to the construction of a new church in honor of the divine mother and also established a sanctuary lamp (Kedavilakku) in the church. The Paliyath descendants continue the tradition of keeping this perpetual lamp burning to this day. The church was re-established in 1676 and the famous picture of the Blessed Virgin Mary was erected by Portuguese who brought it from their native land. The picture is believed to have miraculous powers.
The Great Miracle of 1752
In May 1752, there occurred a great miracle which made Vallarpadam a famous Pilgrim Centre vallarpadthamma-meenakshiamma. In Vallarpadam there was a young Nair Lady named Meenakshiyamma, who was a member of a noble family called Palliyilveedu. Together with her son, she was going to Mattancherry in a non-mechanised boat. There arose a storm and the boat capsized. Meenakshiyamma and her son went deep down into the backwater. While they were in danger Meenakshiyamma promised Vallarpadathamma that if they were rescued by her they would be her Adimas (servants) until their death. On the third day, as per instructions in a dream, the parish priest asked the fishermen to cast net in the river, and Meenakshiyamma and her son were rescued. This incident is depicted in the picture mentioned above. From that day onwards, people, especially those who travel by boats and ships, come to Vallarpadam and pray for their safe journey.
Meenakshiyamma and her son received baptism and became Christians and were named Mary and Jesudas respectively. They were living in the Churchyard itself adoring the Lord and thanking Our Lady and proclaiming the “good news” to all those who came here. Her family is still living, which is quite near to the church.
From this day, travelers in this part began praying to the Lady of Vallarpadam for their safe journey.
Due to its spiritual importance, His Holiness Pope Leo XIII elevated its main altar to the status of Altare Privilegiatum in Perpetuum Concessum in 1888. A Privileged Altar (Latin: Altare Privilegiatum) is an altar in a Roman Catholic church where a plenary indulgence is granted whenever Mass is celebrated there. And in 1951 the Union Government of India declared it as a major pilgrim centre. Basilica was declared as a National Shrine declaration in 2004.
Papal Status of Basilica in 2004. The Venerable Pope John Paul II elevated this Church to the status of a Minor Basilica in the 2004.
Architecture
The white walled cathedral with its imposing twin towers – looks grand from anywhere in the vicinity. The towers are almost 85 ft from the base. There is a larger than life size Lady of Vallarpadatha Amma housed in the top dome of the central tower. The twin towers have a lift facility to take visitors to the top to have an overview of the land, the Vembanaad Lake and the glistening Arabian sea. The terrace of the tower is enclosed in a steel cage for the safety of the visitors. In the front of the church, there is a large oval sized park called as the Rosary Park.
The main festival of the church is celebrated from September 16 to 24 every year. During festival thousands of devotees visit this church and pray for the blessings of St. Mary. Even during non-festival season, hundreds of people visit the church and pray.
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