THANJAVUR: The annual feast of Poondi Madha Basilica, built by renowned Tamil scholar Veeramamunivar, began with hoisting of flag at Poondi near here today.
Most Rev Fr Antonysamy Francis, Bishop of Kumbakonam Diocese, hoisted the flag in the presence of A Packiasamy, Parish priest, and Fr S Alphonse, vice-rector, of Poondi Madha Basilica. Thousands of devotees participated in the event.
Novena mass and sermons will be held at 6 pm every day. Solemn car procession will be held on May 14 at 10 pm.
The church was built by Rev Fr Constantine Joseph Beschi, an Italian Jesuit Missionary, popularly known as Veeramamunivar who named it as the church of Mary Queen Immaculate Conception.
The statue of Pudhumai Madha has been in the church since 1858. The church has a relic of the True Cross, believed to be the one on which Christ was crucified
Most Rev Fr Antonysamy Francis, Bishop of Kumbakonam Diocese, hoisted the flag in the presence of A Packiasamy, Parish priest, and Fr S Alphonse, vice-rector, of Poondi Madha Basilica. Thousands of devotees participated in the event.
Novena mass and sermons will be held at 6 pm every day. Solemn car procession will be held on May 14 at 10 pm.
The church was built by Rev Fr Constantine Joseph Beschi, an Italian Jesuit Missionary, popularly known as Veeramamunivar who named it as the church of Mary Queen Immaculate Conception.
The statue of Pudhumai Madha has been in the church since 1858. The church has a relic of the True Cross, believed to be the one on which Christ was crucified