A very rainy day...

Here are some pictures from the church at Vallarpadam...

The grey sky and the white painted church

Rosary park and the iconic flag post at the end..

The candles near the Meenakshi chapel..

The festive Parasols for the feast of Holy Ghost...

The altar parapet lights somehow reminded the fonts of the film Dunes. 

There were only very few people at the church. Rain kept the crowd away. 

Last Sunday before the Christmas of 2024

A picture tour

The Meenakshi Amma Chapel

The grape vine infront of the sacristy.

The five hundred years logo at the new church.

Thanks giving mementos infront of Mary of Vallarpadam.

A memeno for the Holy Spirit to whom the Basilica is dedicated. Very thoughtful of the donor.

A very beautiful view of the Clear blue December sky.. East of the cemetery.

The front door decoration. A warm welcome to all.

History of the church.

Thr Child Jesus

Mary 

The altar on the last Sunday before the Christmas of 2024.

Posted for all the Ransomed 'Slaves' of Mary, who could not be at Vallarpadam. 

God bless you all, wherever you are...whatever you do. 

Saint Peter Nolasco

 

Saint Peter Nolasco's disciples were part of those who built the Vallarpadam Church in 1524 AD. They dedicated the church to the Holy Spirt and Made the Lady of Ransom (Mercy) as the saint of the church. Nearly 140 years later the first church was washed away in a flood, the Lady of Ransom Picture was found floating  in the Backwater by the then Prime Minister of Kochi Raja who returned the picture to the priests and donated a new piece of land to build a new church. Saint Peter Nolasco's disciples are again believed to be part of the reconstruction team. The Altar still holds the venerable picture and the Saint Peter Nolasco's congregational logo. BMV de Mercede. 

On All Saints Day and through the month of November when we remember our dead, we remember all those Saint Peter Nolasco followers along with all other souls who have been responsible for our faith and our continued existence here at Vallarpadam. 

Lady Of Ransom

Our weekly visit to your abode is our joy and delight. We pray Lady of Mercy that hear our prayers and help us with our lives. Bless all who seek your help.

Ten minutes before the 11.30 AM Mass by the Mercedarian Priests the church slowly 

filling up. That mass is usually attended by the pilgrims who visit the Basilica on a Sunday.

Our favourite from the corner shop at the turn from the highway to the Basilica on the old road. Pappadams and puttu.

All Souls Day

All Souls Day. 

In memory of our dead, they are gone but they still lives on in our hearts and will continue to live in our memory till the day we die. 

Fondly remembering those who came and lived with us, giving up their families and everything for us. May their souls Rest in Peace. 

Remembering our dead. 

The November blue sky. The specialty of the time of the year. 

Nostalgic Sunday mornings of Tropical Winter

In the cool and gentle mornings of January, I like waking up early on a Sunday morning getting ready and driving all the way to Vallarapdam when it is still dark for the 6.15 am mass. In the tropical winter months sun rises at 6.30 am and the mornings are so adorably pleasant.  No doubt, the morning rides through the empty roads singing aloud becomes one of the most cherished memories of the first months of the New Year. 

There is a tea shop just outside the highway on the first turn to the village of Vallarpadam, stopping there to have a hot cup of tea along with a  warm "Mulaku Vada" (a snack made of dough mixed with green chilly and onions and fried in oil) with many a early risers who stand around the tea-shop talking sipping their morning tea adds to the joyous experience of my early morning visit to the church. 

Though Pandemic has broken our means of life it has also taught us to value of little joys which in fact adds up to our lives beautifully. 

 

Not Knowledge but love.

 Knowledge alone will not change a man, the experience of love will.