St. Anthony of Puliampatti – the Dispenser of a crore Miracles

Not until five years ago Puliampatti was reachable through fine roads as now. The throngs that gather now are as same as it was fifty years ago. An obscure and tiny hamlet with the strength of less than 200 Roman Catholic following boasts of a magnificent and renowned Roman Catholic Shrine and vibrant Parish with nine surrounding villages attached to it. The hamlet is far off from the hustle and bustle of the city. Yet, the Shrine is dear to many devotees transcending religions, caste, creed and societal status. For the adherents of this church, all Tuesdays are sacred, more so are the last Tuesdays of Tamil months. And the most sacred one happens to be the last Tuesday of Thai (January – February). This day is celebrated as the annual titular feast day every year.

PULIAMPATTI - BIRTH PLACE OF MIRACLES

The venerable church of Saint Anthony of Padua is at a remote place, Puliampatti, Ottapidaram Taluk, Thoothukudi, not well connected by bus and with little infrastructure. On the auspicious Tuesday, devotees in large numbers flock this parched land. The exotic variety of ‘Veli Karuvel' (Prosopic juliflora) abounds all around offering a little shade against the scorching sun. Stray palmyrahs crop up their heads as signposts.

It is always a wonder how this remote village attracts such a large crowds of people. One will only remember the verse from the Bible “The Lord is a Stronghold for the oppressed” (Psalms 9.9). True. Puliampatti is surrounded by the dalits.

The tall spires of the church soar against this background, beckoning one and all. The church had its humble beginning in a thatched shed in the middle of the 17th century, rose as a vaulted chapel in the 19th century and attained its present Shrine church status and stature as the years rolled on.

It is no exaggeration to say that many a people turn to St. Anthony of Puliampatti (as devoutly addressed by the faithful) for their unhealed miseries. They return home with all and more their intentions fulfilled. This can be seen by the innumerable devotions by which the devotees thank the Saint. For physical ailments as well as mental sickness St. Anthony is the last and the hopeful refuge.

ST ANTHONY OF PADUA

The patron saint of the church, Saint Anthony of Padua, who shed his mortal coil at the age of 36, had wrought many miracles during his life time. He was born on August 15, 1195, at Lisbon in Portugal and died on June 13, 1231. He had the gift of the tongue, praising and spreading the essence of Trinity, (Father, Son and the Holy spirit) and hence his tongue is preserved till date in the city of Padua. Sainthood was conferred on him within one year, on May 30, 1232, on the Holy spirit day. On this solemn occasion the church bells at Lisbon, his birthplace had rung out themselves to pay homage, it is said.

As he was impressed by the various manifestations of Saint Anthony who preceded him by centuries he assumed his name and wanted to be a martyr as his namesake in the services of God and humanity alike. Hence he was beatified and the title, Saint Anthony of Padua of Italy, was bestowed upon him by the Vatican.

THE MIRACLE STATUE

The statue that is enshrined here is the one retrieved from the once abandoned, now beautifully renovated church of St. Xavier at Santhaipetai and hence more than 100 years old. The right hand holds the holy cross, the symbol of sacrifice. The left hand embraces Infant Jesus - the Pedestal of the Holy book.

The gestures are symbolic that he is only a messenger to guide and guard and reminding forever that he is as devoted as any other devotee to the Son of God.

The authentic relic of the saint handed over to this church from Rome is exposed to public veneration under the feet of the miracle statue. The faith element that underscores the devotion to St. Anthony is “Believe, Pray and Be Better.”

THE ENDURING FAITH OF THE PEOPLE

People here come in droves as their beliefs and prayers once reposed are not left un-answered. The pilgrims believe that the pervading spirit of the saint dwells in this secluded corner and it has gained sanctity over a period of time. The greatness of the church together with the attendant ceremony is the harmonious blending of two different cultures. The Hindu custom of piecing the ear boring and tonsuring the heads in fulfilment of their prayers are conspicuously put in to practice along with Christian sacraments.

It is one of the last and reliable resorts for those who are mentally challenged. Offerings made by the devotees cutting across the religious lines in token of thanking the saint are exhibited in the premises.

CHARITABLE WORKS IN HONOUR OF ST. ANTHONY

The Catholic Church is Missionary by nature. The primary task of the Catholic Church is to share the abundance of life – the gratuitous gift of God. This could be materialized only by liberation people from clutches of manifold social evils. In line with this the Shrine has opened higher elementary and elementary schools in and around the area. There is an orphanage for children and an old age home. There is a future plan to construct a home for the mentally sick. For, St. Anthony of Puliampatti is the refuge for such people. It is more than true that these people return home fully cured and wholly graced. In order to accommodate these people who stay under trees and pillars leaving a sorry spectacle to the passersby.

The benevolent nuns of the SMMI and Charles Borromeo render their continued service to the people of this area.

THE NOVENA

The Novena in honour of St Anthony originated immediately, after his death. This novena is made on nine Tuesdays in succession. It is a laudable custom at the beginning of the novena to make a good resolution to practice some of the virtues in which St.Anthony most excelled – purity, humility, patience, obedience, etc.

Introductory Prayer for each day

O God, you are the author of all nature and grace, and admirable in all your saints, and in particular in our glorious protection St.Anthony, whom you have made so beloved of many, and the helper to who we fly in our necessities. Succour us in our dangers and enrich us with your gifts. Deign, O Lord, through his merits and intercession to delvier us from every eveil and grant us the grace which we ask in this novena, should it be for the good of our souls and for your greater glory. Amen

Concluding Prayer for each Day

Let us Pray : O Glorious father and protector St.Anthony, your love of Jusus was so wondrously rewarded that you were privileged to hold him in your arms in the form of a little child. By the ineffable consolations which inundated your soul, by the compassion which you showed towards the affected and poor, and by the gift of miracles which our Lord bestowed on you, obtain for us the pardon of our sins, the granting of all our needs, the fulfillment of all our obligations, a joly life and a happy death, that following your footsteps during our life on earth we may merit to live with him eternally in heaven. Amen

Pray for us, O Saint Anthony
That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ

Let us Pray

O Lod, may the ardent prayers of St.Anthony give joy to your church, that it may ever find itself strengthened with spiritual succour and merit to obtain heavently happiness. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen

Special prayers for Each day

Day I

O holy Saint Anthony, the gentlest of saints, your love for God and charity for his creatures made you worthy while on earth to possess miraculous powers. Miracles waited on your word, which you were ever ready to speak for those in trouble or anxiety. Encouraged by this thought, I implore you to obtain for me the favour I seek in this novena. (pause to recall your intention / petition). The answer to my prayer may require a miracle; even so, you are the saint of miracles ! O gently and loving Saint Anthony, whose heart was ever full of human sympathy, whisper my petition into the ears of the Infant Jesus, who loved to be enfolded in your arms, and the gratitude of my heart will always be yours.

Our father, Hail Mary, Glory Be to the father.
Saint Anthony, Pray for us.

Day 2

O Saint Anthony, wondrous worker of miracles, remember that it has never been heard that you have left without help or relief anyone who in his / her need has recourse to you. Encouraged now by the most lively confidence, even with full conviction of not being refused, I fly for refuge to you, O most favoured friend of the infant Jesus. O eloquent preacher of the divine mercy, accept my prayer, bring them before the throne of God, strengthen them by your intercession and obtain for me the favour I seek in this novena

Our father, Hail Mary, Glory Be to the father.
Saint Anthony, Pray for us.

Day 3

O purest Saint Anthony, who through your angelic virtue was found worthy to be caressed by the Divine Child Jesus, to hold him in your arms and prss him to your heart, I beg you to cast a benevolent glance upon me. O glorious Saint Anthony, born under the protection of Mary Immaculate, on the Feast of her Assumption into heaven, and consecrated to her and now so powerful an intercessor in heaven, I ask you to obtain for me the favour I ask in this novena… O great wonder worker, intercede for me that God may grant my request.

Our father, Hail Mary, Glory Be to the father.
Saint Anthony, Pray for us.

Day 4

I salute and honour you, O powerful helper, Saint Anthony. The Christian world confidently turns to you and experiences your tender compassion and powerful assistance in so many troubles and sufferings that I am encouraged in my need to seek your help in obtaining a positive answer to my request for the favour I seek in this novena… O holy Saint Anthony, I beg you, obtain for me the grace that I desire.

Our father, Hail Mary, Glory Be to the father.
Saint Anthony, Pray for us.

Day 5

I salute you, Saint Anthony, lily of purity, ornament and glory of Christianity, I reverence you, great saint, cherub of wisdom and angel of divine love. I rejoice at the favours our Lord has so liberally bestowed on you. In humility and confidence I beg you to help me, for I know that God has given you great charity and pity, as well as power. I ask you by the love you did feel toward the Infant Jesus as you held him in your arms, to tell him now of the favour I seek through your intercession in this novena….

Our father, Hail Mary, Glory Be to the father.
Saint Anthony, Pray for us.

Day 6

O glorius Saint Anthony, chosen by God to preach his Word, you received from him the gift of tongues and the power of working the most extraordinary miracles. O good Saint Anthony, pray that I may fulfil the will of God in all things so that I may love him with you, for all eternity. O kind Saint Anthony, I ask you, obtain for me the grace that I desire, the favour I seek in this novena…..

Our father, Hail Mary, Glory Be to the father.
Saint Anthony, Pray for us.

Day 7

O renowed champion of faith, most holy Saint Anthony famed for many miracles, obtain for me from the bounty of my Lord and God the grace which I ardently seek in this novena… O holy Saint Anthony, ever attentive to those who invoke you, grant me the aid of your powerful intercession

Our father, Hail Mary, Glory Be to the father.
Saint Anthony, Pray for us.

Day 8

O holy Saint Anthony, you have shown yourself so powerful in your intercession, so tender and so compassionate toward those who honour you and invoke you in suffering and distress. I ask you most humbly and earnestly to take me under your protection in my present troubles and to obtain for me the favour I desire…. Recommend my request to the merciful Queen of Heaven, that, with you she may plead my cause before the throne of her Divine Son

Our father, Hail Mary, Glory Be to the father.
Saint Anthony, Pray for us.

Day 9

Saint Anthony, Servant of Mary, Glory of Church, pray for our Holy Father, our bishops, our priests, our religious that, through their pious zeal and apostolic labours, all may be united in faith and give grater glory to God. Saint Anthony, helper of all who invoke you, pray for me and intercede for me before the throne of Almighty God that I be granted the favour I so earnestly seek in this novena

Our father, Hail Mary, Glory Be to the father.
Saint Anthony, Pray for us.

Contact Us
Parish Priest, St.Anthony's Shrine,
Puliyampatti - 628303. Thoothukudi District.
Tamil Nadu. South India.
Phone : (91) 0461 - 2273223

or more information please visit: http://www.puliyampatti.com/  |  http://puliampattianthony.org/