Overview
St. Thomas Mount
St. Thomas Mount National Shrine is located very close to the International Airport, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India. The National Shrine comes under the Catholic Diocese of Chingleput, which is under the pastoral care of Bishop Rt. Rev. Dr. A. Neethinathan.
This shrine is dedicated to “Our Lady of Expectation” and was rebuilt in 1523 on top of the mount. The altar of this Shrine was built on the spot, where St.Thomas was martyred in 72 AD. See top 15 Catholic shrines in the world.
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This Holy Shrine was proclaimed as National Shrine on 8th January, 2011, in the August presence of the Apostolic Nuncio to India, the President of Conference of Catholic Bishops of India, 118 Bishops, 200 priests, 1,500 religious and 30000 people.
St. Thomas Mount soars some 300 feet (about 91metres) high above the sea level in the southern part of the city of Chennai, close to the airport. It commands a magnificent view of Chennai city and suburbs for miles around. It has definite and concrete historical foundations and undiluted religious focus.
115 Relics of Apostles and Saints at St. Thomas Mount National Shrine for the Veneration
St. Paul calls the believers of the early Christian community as ‘Saints’ (Col 1:2). We are also called to be Saints. To make us God-like, God sent His only Son as man. Saints were ordinary people who have crossed the path of being in sin, but have overcome the wails and temptations of life and are now crowned with the glory of God and are in heavenly abode looking at His face and praising Him unceasingly. The people who are leading a sinful life if they denounce that life and follow Jesus, then they too can attain the kingdom of heaven.
For our day to day living we need the intercession and protection of Saints. It is in remembrance of Saints we celebrate Nov 2nd as “All Saints Day”. Saints are ordinary people who led ordinary lives with extraordinary love for God. The things used in their day to day living or any part of their body uncoupled by the passing of line are termed as “Relics.” These relics are venerated by the Catholic Community. And Every Catholic Church has its altar consecrated by the Relic of a Saint.
This Holy Shrine of St. Thomas, the Apostle for India, located in Chennai, for centuries together holds the relics of St. Thomas namely His Toe Bone. And also there are some Holy things such as The Cross carved by St. Thomas on a rock and the painting of Mother Mary and child Jesus by St. Luke brought by St. Thomas in the year – These are relics of St. Thomas that have been 52 A.D. venerated by us for ages. This shrine now boasts of more than 100 relics of Saints which also includes relics St. Joseph, Mother Mary and all the Apostles of Jesus.
The strong belief of our catholic faith in the intercession of the Saints makes it a source of Jubilation for us. If such common humans could become Saints due to their astonishing love for God, we too may become one of them if we in our everyday lives show admirable love for God and His creations!
Let us remain close in the same prayer! May the Lord bless you abundantly!
Video
115 Relics of Apostles and Saints at St. Thomas Mount National Shrine for the Veneration
St. Paul calls the believers of the early Christian community as ‘Saints’ (Col 1:2). We are also called to be Saints. To make us God-like, God sent His only Son as man. Saints were ordinary people who have crossed the path of being in sin, but have overcome the wails and temptations of life and are now crowned with the glory of God and are in heavenly abode looking at His face and praising Him unceasingly. The people who are leading a sinful life if they denounce that life and follow Jesus, then they too can attain the kingdom of heaven.
For our day to day living we need the intercession and protection of Saints. It is in remembrance of Saints we celebrate Nov 2nd as “All Saints Day”. Saints are ordinary people who led ordinary lives with extraordinary love for God. The things used in their day to day living or any part of their body uncoupled by the passing of line are termed as “Relics.” These relics are venerated by the Catholic Community. And Every Catholic Church has its altar consecrated by the Relic of a Saint.
This Holy Shrine of St. Thomas, the Apostle for India, located in Chennai, for centuries together holds the relics of St. Thomas namely His Toe Bone. And also there are some Holy things such as The Cross carved by St. Thomas on a rock and the painting of Mother Mary and child Jesus by St. Luke brought by St. Thomas in the year – These are relics of St. Thomas that have been 52 A.D. venerated by us for ages. This shrine now boasts of more than 100 relics of Saints which also includes relics St. Joseph, Mother Mary and all the Apostles of Jesus.
The strong belief of our catholic faith in the intercession of the Saints makes it a source of Jubilation for us. If such common humans could become Saints due to their astonishing love for God, we too may become one of them if we in our everyday lives show admirable love for God and His creations!
Let us remain close in the same prayer! May the Lord bless you abundantly!
Let us remain close in the same prayer! May the Lord bless you abundantly!
Sunday:
- 7.00 am
- 6.00 pm in Tamil
- 12.00 noon in English
Weekdays:
- 6.30 am
- 12.00 noon
- 6.00 pm – in Tamil
Let us remain close in the same prayer! May the Lord bless you abundantly!
Let us remain close in the same prayer! May the Lord bless you abundantly!
Let us remain close in the same prayer! May the Lord bless you abundantly!
Let us remain close in the same prayer! May the Lord bless you abundantly!
The Shrine
The shrine church entombs a piece of the Bone of St Thomas casketed in a beautifully ornamented monstrance. People have witnessed to many miracles that have been effected through the efficacy of this holy relic.
This Sanctuary is said to be the spot where St Thomas was martyred. Any one standing on this surface will certainly feel the vibrations of the hidden current that floods this main altar area. The excellent artistic background elevates the inner soul.
The framed oil painting of St Thomas being pierced with a lance from behind in his praying posture on the wall behind the high altar is the high point of awe and devotion for all who climb the hill to reach this sanctuary.
The artistic finale exhibited in the attractive wooden podium of the fifteenth century is a monumental piece of ancient art. It bespeaks the importance attached to the Breaking of the Word in the liturgy of the early centuries. The ornamental wood carving in unison with the main altar is a banquet for the eyes of the beholder. This is another gift of Petrus Uscan.
The votive shrine that shelters the colourful Statue of Our Lady in the sitting posture is of a later fashioning and it exhibits a graceful look and maternal benevolence.
The huge framed paintings of antiquity screening before us the images of the twelve Apostles and that of Christ and of St. Paul are marvelous treasures of art and faith. They not only adorn the church but they also elevate our spirits. Though such pictures of the Apostles are common in the great Basilicas of the West, the uniqueness of these consists in their miniature picturesque information about the way in which each of the Apostles glorified their Master in their final offering.
The renovation process of the Shrine Chapel has given a new face lift to the northern side With the enticing arch door inviting people for a personal encounter with the Eucharistic Lord.
The silence and stillness of the Eucharistic Adoration Chapel provides the best of the atmosphere for one’s contemplation and deep prayer. The Italian marble laying, the dim lighting effects, the antique hanging lamp, and the Portuguese styled ancient altar add to the serenity of the place and the sanctity of the Chapel. Hundreds of pilgrims choose to come to the Hill just to spend some quiet time in the gripping presence of the Eucharistic Lord. This Adoration Chapel is kept open everyday from 7.00 a.m to 7.00 p.m
The enveloping presence of the divine is made an experience to all by the very appearance and structure of the Adoration Altar. The Tabernacle door depicts the conjunction of three hands – God’s own hand in unconditional giving, my own hand of selfless giving and the hand of my neighbour’s solidarity – the three basics of a wholesome spirituality with the cross at the background.
The absorbing and scintillating Monstrance with golden rays of wheat grass and fine art touch on the base, the adorning cherubs in oxidized silver holding aloft the base plate are all a rare combination to evoke lasting throbs of the divine. This marvellous piece is a generous gift of one Mr. Vincent from Chicago.
The enchanting atmosphere on the hill top is being further enhanced by the imposing Calvary depicting in life size images the scene of Calvary, with a huge Crucifix and a tall black and white obelisk in the background. This monumental piece overlooking the city of Chennai is a striking landmark visible for miles around. It is a masterpiece commemorating the Sacerdotal Golder Jubilee of His Grace Archbishop Louis Mathias dating back to 1963. The devotion with which devotees kneel or stand before the Calvary in prayer evokes our inner self.
The majestically overlooking Bell Tower of the Hill Shrine provides an exquisite sight of grandeur. Besides a chiming bell and a Station of the Cross, the tower houses a historical monument commemorating with gratitude the heroic martyrdom of Mr. Jacob, the Manger of the Shrine who was killed by a fanatic while defending the Christian ownership of this holy hill on the 26th November 2006.
Though the Mount is a proud heritage of the Christians, it has remained the attraction of tourists from within the country as well as abroad. The open air stage meant for public worship and the grilled open space provide an exquisite sight of the whole city of Chennai, especially with its illumination far and wide, a panoramic view which is a gift unique to this spot alone. The presence of a huge banyan tree and a green peepul/ pipal tree on the Hill is a natural gift to the seekers since both the trees are a rare sacred species in the Indian context.
Let us remain close in the same prayer! May the Lord bless you abundantly!
The Mount
The Mount vibrates with divine touch and devotional charm The Mount was a grant to the church by the Kings of Bisnaga, or Vijayanagar, who called the place in Telugu “Fringy Kondah” meaning “European Hill” The Portuguese called the place Monte Grande (Big Mountain) while the locals named it “Parangi Malai” because of its occupation by foreigners.
The English who came to India in the 17th century transferred the garrison to this hill and called the place St Thomas Mount and the principal road that proceeds from this Mount into the heart of the city was termed Mount Road. Though the Mount is a proud heritage of the Christians, it has remained the attraction of tourists from within the country as well as abroad.