Our Basilica – Origin
Alamelupuram Poondi is a tiny village, situated in the Thiruvaiyaru taluk of Thanjavur district of the state of Tamilnadu in South India. The nearest town about
3kms away, is Thirukattupalli. The hamlet of Poondi is blessed by God with copious potable water from the great rivers of Tamilnadu namely the Cauvery and the Colleroon as
they flow on the Southern and northern sides of the village.
In the beginning of the eighteenth century (1714-1718) a great Italian Jesuit missionary named Rev. Fr. Constantine Joseph Beschi S.J. popularly known as "Veeramamunivar"
built a church and named it as the church
of "Mary Queen of Immaculate Conception".
Rev.Fr.Lourdes Xavier was appointed as Parish Priest on 1st September 1955.
His immediate attention was given to improve the condition of the Church, the central roof of which was in a precarious condition.
Father feared that it might collapse at any moment causing
great damage. So he consulted an engineer.They wanted to
demolish only the central roof wihout any damage to the front
elevation the doom and the altar. It was estimated it would cost
Rs.1500 to demolish the roof alone. Fr.Lourdes Xavier was worried
as it was too much for him and moreover it would be beyond his means to find the necessary funds to reconstruct the Church. Fr.Lourdes Xavier being a great devotee of Our Lady, must have prayed to Our Lady in Poondi to reveal to all, about Her desire to make this village a pilgrimage centre.
Of the sixty six parishes of Kumbakonam diocese three
parishes - Poondi, Papanasam, Elakurichi are the diocesan
Shrines. Of these three Shrines Poondi has attained the i
nternational repute and it enjoys prime status as Shrine in
the diocese.His Eminence Simon Cardinal Lourdusamy declared
the Shrine of our Lady of Poondy as a permanent pilgrimage
centre of our Lady of Immaculate Conception. On 03.08.1999,
the shrine was declared as Basilica by Pope John Paul II.
| Chronicals of Priest |
| Priests Name |
From | To |
| Rev. Fr.Hirudayam Paul | 04.01.1945 | 11.01.1948 |
| Rev. Fr.J. Maria Arokiam | 13.01.1948 | 10.02.1948 |
| Rev. Fr.C.X. Duraisamy | 11.02.1948 | 26.09.1948 |
| Rev. Fr. M. David | 27.09.1948 | 02.06.1952 |
| Rev. Fr. Arumainathar | 03.06.1952 | 07.10.1952 |
| Rev. Fr. D. Maria Michael | 08.10.1952 | 31.08.1955 |
| Rev. Fr. V. S. Lourdes Xavier | 01.09.1955 | 16.04.1972 |
| Rev. Fr. A. Ubagarasamy | 16.04.1972 | 31.08.1972 |
| Rev. Fr. A. Rayappar | 01.09.1972 | 15.06.1991 |
| Rev. Fr. S. Soosai | 16.06.1991 | 20.08.1997 |
| Rev. Fr. P. Thangasamy | 20.08.1997 | 08.06.2003 |
| Rev. Fr. L. Kulandaisamy | 08.06.2003 | 08.06.2009 |
| Rev.Fr.M.A.Sebastian | 08.06.2009 | Till Date |
Recent Developments during the period Rev. Fr. Kulandai Samy
Material Developments
Completion of Lourd Xavier Restrauent
Church extention and renovation
Mary’s altar
Final Tower
Generotor
Poondi Madha Museum
Poondi Madha Depot
Adoration Chapel
Infant Jesus illam
Lawns
Extention Of Bus stand and 2 &4 wheeler parking
Toilets
Mini Zoo
Poondi Madha Sound system
Poondi Madha Candle and host Department
conference Hall
Mini Bus, Tractor, Tata Sumo and two Wheelers – 3
Spiritual Developments
Bcc
X’Mas programme
Lenten Prepration and way of the cross
1 and 3rd Saturday prayer meeting
Engish mass
Local Choir
Legion of Mary
Piligrim Tours
Sunday catechism
Altar Boys and Girls Association etc