Saint Thomas Mount | Faith from Doubt in Chennai's Heart ~ KHALVONTAWI - Voice of the Voiceless from Northeast India

St. Thomas Mount National Shrine, located near Chennai International Airport in Tamil Nadu, is one of the most sacred Christian pilgrimage sites in India. Rising 300 feet above sea level, this holy hill is a place of deep faith, history, and peace.

This Holy Shrine was officially proclaimed a National Shrine on January 8, 2011, in the presence of the Apostolic Nuncio to India, the President of the Conference of Catholic Bishops of India, 118 bishops, 200 priests, 1,500 religious members, and around 3,000 faithful. His Lordship Archbishop Salvatorae Pennachio, the Apostolic Nuncio to India, handed over the Decree Proclaiming St. Thomas Shrine as a National Shrine to Rt. Rev. Dr. A. Neethinathan, Bishop of Chingleput.

The Shrine comes under the Catholic Diocese of Chingleput, which is under the pastoral care of Bishop Rt. Rev. Dr. A. Neethinathan. Dedicated to Our Lady of Expectation, the chapel on top of the mount was rebuilt in 1473 by the Portuguese and continues to inspire pilgrims from across the world.

Apostle Thomas – The Doubter Who Brought the Gospel to India

A small bone fragment of St. Thomas is preserved in this beautifully ornamented monstrance.

St. Thomas, one of Jesus Christ’s twelve disciples, is remembered for doubting the Lord’s resurrection until he saw Jesus himself. When Jesus said, “Put your finger here… Stop doubting and believe” (John 20:27), Thomas fell to his knees and cried, “My Lord and my God!” His doubt turned into deep faith.

Before ascending to heaven, Jesus told His disciples, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel” (Mark 16:15). Tradition says that Thomas was chosen to go to India. Though he was afraid at first, Jesus appeared to him in a vision and said, “Fear not, Thomas. Go to India and preach My word.”

Around AD 52, Thomas arrived at Muziris (near Kodungallur in Kerala), where he preached about Christ, baptized many, and established seven and a half churches across Kerala and Tamil Nadu. Later, he moved to Mylapore (now Chennai), continuing his mission of spreading the Gospel.

In AD 72, while praying on a small hill called Parangimalai (now known as St. Thomas Mount), Thomas was martyred with a spear for his faith. He was buried in Mylapore, where the San Thome Basilica now stands — one of only three churches in the world built over an apostle’s tomb.

Envisaged to accompany Jesus to Mount Calvary, Thomas once said, “Let us also go with Him and die with Him” (John 11:16). Yet the Lord escorted him to another Mount in Chennai, India — to die for Him and to live for Him in the faith of countless generations of this land.

The Holy Shrine and Its History

The altar of the Shrine on St. Thomas Mount was built on the very spot where the Apostle was martyred. The first chapel was built in 1523 by the Portuguese and is dedicated to Our Lady of Expectation (Senhora da Expectacao). The facade of the chapel still bears the Portuguese coat of arms, and its shell-shaped roof symbolizes spiritual energy. Inside, a small bone fragment of St. Thomas is preserved in a beautifully ornamented monstrance, making it a holy site of great reverence.

The shrine houses the ancient oil painting of Madonna, known as the Scapular of St. Thomas, believed to have been painted by St. Luke in 50 AD and brought to India by St. Thomas himself. It is regarded as the oldest Christian painting in the country.

A stone cross carved by St. Thomas is another treasured relic. It is said to have sweated blood during Mass on December 18, 1558, offered by Rev. Fr. Gasper Coelho. This miraculous event occurred several times until 1704. The inscription around the cross reads, “Through the Cross, the Messiah brought salvation to the world.”

A stone cross carved by St. Thomas.

The Shrine also houses 124 relics of saints, including those of the twelve apostles, preserved since January 1, 2012. Statues of Indian saints such as St. Mother Teresa, St. Alphonsa, St. Mariam Theresa, St. Kuriakose Chavara, Blessed Kunjachan, and Blessed Devasahayam also grace the holy site.

Pilgrimage and Sacred Experience

Pilgrims reach the top of the mount through 135 granite steps built in 1726. Each step represents prayer and devotion, and many climb barefoot, praying as they ascend. Along the way, statues of Jesus and His disciples line the path. At the top stands a large crucifix built in 1963, overlooking Chennai — a powerful symbol of Christ’s sacrifice.

Nearby, a 184-year-old banyan tree shades a touching sculpture of Jesus as a homeless man sleeping on a bench, reminding all of His humility and compassion. The Shrine also provides free meals to the poor and pilgrims three times a day throughout the year.

Over the years, many holy figures have visited this sacred mount. Blessed Mother Teresa prayed here on January 15, 1993, and Pope John Paul II blessed the faithful on February 5, 1986.

A Place of Faith, Healing, and Peace

Today, under the care of Bishop Rt. Rev. Dr. A. Neethinathan, St. Thomas Mount National Shrine continues to be a center of faith, healing, and unity. Pilgrims often testify to answered prayers and peace of heart after visiting. From the hilltop, visitors enjoy a breathtaking view of Chennai and experience divine calm.

For travellers, the shrine is easy to reach — about 30–45 minutes by cab or metro from Chennai Central, and roughly 13 km from Mylapore. Whether you come seeking prayer, healing, or simply peace, St. Thomas Mount welcomes everyone — reminding us that even doubt can lead to great faith, just as it did for St. Thomas, the Apostle who brought the light of Christ to India.

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Shrine Liturgical Timings

Everyday Mass Schedule

6.30 am – Mass in English (Monday, Wednesday, Friday)
6.30 am – Mass in Tamil (Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday)
12.00 noon – Mass in Tamil
6.00 pm – Mass in Tamil
6.00 pm – Mass in English (Saturday with Sunday Liturgy)

Sunday Mass Schedule

7.00 am – Mass in Tamil
8.30 am – Mass in Tamil
12.00 noon – Mass in English
6.00 pm – Mass in Tamil

Monthly Special Masses

2nd of Every Month: 4.00 pm – Malayalam Mass (Syro Malankara Rite)
3rd of Every Month (Day of St. Thomas): 4.00 pm – Malayalam Mass (Syro Malabar Rite)

First Friday Devotion

6.00 pm – Way of the Cross & Holy Mass

First Sunday (St. Thomas Sunday)

10.00 am – Mass in Malayalam (Latin Rite)
5.30 pm – Car Procession around the Shrine
6.00 pm – Mass in Tamil (Open Air Stage)

Second & Third Sunday Masses

Second Sunday: 10.00 am – Mass in Telugu
Third Sunday: 10.00 am – Mass in Hindi

Special Liturgical Events

Mary Mother of God – January 1
St. Thomas Feast – First Sunday of July
Our Lady of Expectation – December 18
Palm Sunday – Diocesan Way of the Cross

New Moon Day & Full Moon Day Services

10.30 pm – Rosary, Praise & Worship
11.30 pm – Night Vigil
3.00 am – Holy Mass
Full Moon Day Celebrant: Rev. Fr. Antony Raj (Guduvancherry)
New Moon Day Celebrant: Bro. Leo Durai (Assisi Apostolic Family)

Acts of Mercy

Love Meal for the Needy: Every Day at 8.00 am, 1.00 pm & 7.30 pm
Blood Donation: Every First Sunday, 5.00 pm – 7.00 pm

Special Retreats and Healing Services

First Sunday:
- 10.00 am – 1.00 pm – Special Retreat (Bro. Ruban, Koinonia John the Baptist)
- 6.00 pm – Healing Mass (Rev. Fr. A.D. Michael)
Second Sunday: 6.00 pm – 9.30 pm – Rev. Fr. Vincent Paulraj CMF
Third Sunday: 6.00 pm – Diocesan Synod Explanation
Fourth Sunday: 6.00 pm – Holy Father’s Encyclical or Apostolic Exhortation Explanation
18th of Every Month: 3.00 pm – Healing Mass (for Life Partners, Gift of Child, Safe Delivery, Healing from Diseases)

PHOTO ALBUM

"Our Lady of Expectation (Senhora da Expectacao)"

Pope John Paul II blessed the site and the faithful
during his visit on Feb 5, 1986.

This Grand Arch was built in 1742 at the foot of the hill. There are 132 granite steps upward!

🙏Special thanks to Bro. G. Kirubakaran for his kind guidance and support throughout the tour.
His help made our visit more meaningful and memorable. May God bless him abundantly.🙏

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Date of Visit: 25.02.2023

Bruce K. Thangkhal

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