A Long awaited dream

Dear Pilgrims !  Greetings and prayerful wishes to you all. Millions of thanks to all the devotees of Arokia Madha for your love and concern towards the development of the world famous Marian Shrine of Vailankanni, Nagapattinam, Tamil nadu, India.  The three historical apparitions of Arokia Madha namely, Apparition to the Shepherd Boy, Butter milk vendor and to the Portuguese Sailors at the sea draw the attention of the faithful throughout the world, resulting in a steady increase in the number devotees at this Holy Shrine day by day.

It was a long cherished dream of Our Bishop Most. Rev. Dr. M. Devadass Ambrose D. D., L. S. S.,  S. T. D. and our former rector Rev. Fr. A. Michael and the fathers of the Shrine and of Thanjavur diocese and the devotees of Arogya Matha to start free meal scheme at this world famous Marian pilgrim centre. At this juncture I would like to thank all the devotees who helped us to start this project by way of suggestions and supporting by your valuable contributions.

Separate place and building:

A new building was blessed and dedicated to St Teresa of Calcutta on 10th September, in remembrance that She got the inspiration of “ A call within the call.“ After the inauguration of the building, we have started the project,  the very next week and more than 600 devotees were served lunch by the free meal scheme. At this juncture, I would like to thank Our Bishop for his willingness and generosity to bring this long awaited dream into a reality. I also thank all the fathers of the diocese for their wholehearted support. It was through the effective intervention of our former Rector Very.Rev. Fr. A. Michael, that after relocating the out-station bus terminus of Tamil Nadu State Transport Corporation to St. Mary’s Parking where all the necessary facilities were provided for the department, took initiatives to clear the ground for the proposed place for Free meal (Anna dhanam) and was subsequently was named Annai Teresa ground.  Two year back, it was proposed to put up a building for which the bishop willingly granted permission for the purpose of free meal service.  We faced lot of  disturbances and obstacles which we overcame by the prayers of the devotees and generous support of the good hearted people.  

Since the canonization of St Teresa of Kolkata was on 4th september, a date falling within the Novena days of our annual feast, our Bishop wanted to keep  another appropriate date to bless and dedicate the building for Anna daanam to St Teresa of Kolkata.  He wanted also to honour all those who worked for its realisation, like Shrine staff, engineers, government officials, local Chairman and his team etc.

An Appeal to the Devotees:

For the past two months, The free food scheme started in the Holy Shrine of Vailankanni of Arokia Madha has been running successfully with the blessing of our Blessed Mother and the prayers of the Devotees.  Many people volunteer themselves to support this noble cause.  Therefore, I make an appeal to the faithful and devotees of Arokia Madha to sponsor the scheme and also introduce your near and dear ones to be part of ‘giving food to the hungry’

Sponsoring a Meal:

All the faithful and the devotees can volunteer in this program of free food service. Since it is difficult to sponsor individually, we have opened a separate account for this purpose. Those who wish to provide meal can contribute the money in the shrine offering place. Any special event in your personal life or in the family is a suitable occasion to provide a free meal for the hungry, such as:

- Marriage anniversary.

- Silver/Golden Jubilee.

- Getting job.

- Going abroad.

- Success in business.

- Fulfilled intentions.

- Thanksgiving.

- Vow for feeding the poor.  

- And anyone who has good heart to sponsor a minimum for ten meal.

Bank Details

Thank very much for your valuable contribution for the benefit of the devotees. We always remember you all in our prayers.