Our Lady of Snow Church is one of the Catholic pilgrimage centres in India. A Roman Catholic Marian church, it is dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary. It is located at Kallikulam in Tirunelveli district of Tamil Nadu state of India. The church has become popular because of vision and apparition of Mother Mary. This church is also known for its architecture and has tallest tower among Churches in India. It is maintained by Nadar community of Kalli Kulam. Our Lady of Snow Church is locally known as Panimatha which is a Tamil word. `Pani` means `Snow` and `Matha` means `Mother`.
History of Our Lady of Snow Church
In 1770 AD, a thatched church was built in the name of Holy Mary by the villagers. In 1884 the villagers of Kallikulam and Jesuit Missionaries decided to build a new church at Kallikulam for Mother Mary.
As per tradition, Virgin Mary appeared to a few of the elders in dream and showed them the location of the proposed church. They assembled in the morning the next day and went to the indicated place to verify the reality of the amazing thing. In that hot summer in August, they found a snow patch, marking the boundary of the church on the place that was indicated by Mother Mary. A church was constructed in 1886 and consecrated to Our Lady of Snow.
Annual Feast of Our Lady of Snow Church
Every year, the annual feast is celebrated from 27th July to 5th August. The feast starts with a flag hoisting ceremony on the first day in the evening. A flag with Our Lady of Snow`s image is raised-up onto the flagpole which is situated just opposite to the church. On the seventh day of the feast, a special mass is celebrated on the Apparition Hill. On the 9th day, a car procession is conducted at night. In the procession three large cars traditionally participate. Lady of Snow`s statue is placed on one Car and taken through the streets. On the 10th day, the car procession comes to an end. Thereafter, all the cars are finally positioned nearby the church for final prayers and adoration. Then a celebratory high-mass is organized grandly. The feast comes to an end with the special novena to Mother Mary on the last day.
