The historical journey of a missionary, a church and a diocese
NV Paulose, Chairman, Global TV +91 98441 82044
At the southern tip of the Indian subcontinent, in the historic town of Kottar, now part of Nagercoil in Kanniyakumari district, stands a church whose history is inseparably linked with the missionary endeavours of St. Francis Xavier. More than a place of worship, St. Francis Xavier’s Cathedral is a living monument to the beginnings and growth of Christianity in this region. Its story spans nearly five centuries, reflecting the faith of generations, the patronage of the rulers of Travancore, the dedication of missionaries and the devotion of countless pilgrims.
THE DIOCESE OF KOTTAR: A LEGACY OF FAITH, SERVICE AND MISSION
The Roman Catholic Diocese of Kottar, situated in Kanniyakumari District, Tamil Nadu, occupies a significant place in the ecclesiastical history of southern India. It was canonically erected on 26 May 1930, following the bifurcation of the erstwhile Diocese of Quilon, largely through the initiative of Bishop Aloysius Maria Benziger, who recognised the need for a separate ecclesiastical jurisdiction to serve the growing Catholic population of the region. The historic Church of St. Francis Xavier at Kottar was elevated to the status of the Cathedral of the newly established diocese. With its roots extending back to the missionary activities of St. Francis Xavier in the sixteenth century, the diocese inherited a rich spiritual tradition. The region also has a special association with St. Devasahayam, whose mortal remains were interred in the Cathedral after his martyrdom in 1752.
Over the decades, the Diocese of Kottar has witnessed remarkable growth under the pastoral leadership of successive bishops. From its humble beginnings with 25 parishes, approximately 95,000 faithful and 32 priests in 1930, it developed into a vibrant ecclesiastical community. Its bishops gave particular importance to evangelisation, education, priestly formation, social development and the active participation of the laity. The establishment of numerous schools, seminaries, pastoral centres and social welfare institutions contributed significantly to the educational and social advancement of the people. In 2014, the southern portion of the diocese was separated to form the Diocese of Kuzhithurai, enabling more effective pastoral administration. The Diocese of Kottar today continues its mission through its parishes, religious congregations, educational institutions and various pastoral and social initiatives.
The spiritual heritage of the diocese is enriched by its association with two great saints: St. Francis Xavier, its patron saint, and St. Devasahayam, the martyr who was canonised on 15 May 2022. Their lives continue to inspire the faithful in their commitment to the Gospel, courage in witnessing to their faith and service to humanity. According to the diocesan statistics published on its official website, the Diocese of Kottar has 95 parishes, 34 substations and approximately 2,44,195 Catholic faithful. With its rich missionary heritage, strong educational tradition and commitment to social responsibility and interreligious harmony, the diocese continues to serve as an important centre of Christian life in Kanniyakumari District.
MOST REV. NAZARENE SOOSAI: A SHEPHERD WITH A VISION
Most Rev. Nazarene Soosai, the sixth Bishop of the Diocese of Kottar, was born on 13 April 1963 at Rajakkamangalamthurai in Kanniyakumari District. He pursued his initial ecclesiastical formation at St. Aloysius’ Minor Seminary, Nagercoil, followed by philosophical and theological studies at Sacred Heart Seminary, Poonamallee, Chennai. He was ordained a priest for the Diocese of Kottar on 2 April 1989. In addition to his pastoral formation, he obtained a Master’s degree in Political Science from the University of Madurai, a Licentiate in Theology from the Catholic University of Leuven, Belgium, and a Doctorate in Theology from the Pontifical Gregorian University, Rome. His doctoral research explored the theme “Salvation in No One Else: A Contemporary Reading of Acts 4:12.” Before his episcopal appointment, he served in various pastoral and academic responsibilities, including as a professor and subsequently Dean of Theology at Sacred Heart Seminary, Poonamallee. His experience in parish ministry, theological education and diocesan administration provided him with a broad understanding of the spiritual and pastoral needs of the Church.
On 20 May 2017, Pope Francis appointed him the sixth Bishop of Kottar. He received episcopal consecration and was installed as Bishop on 29 June 2017, with Most Rev. Peter Remigius, then Bishop of Kottar, as the principal consecrator. His episcopal motto, “In the Mind of Christ,” expresses his desire to lead the Church in the spirit of Christ’s humility, compassion and selfless service. Under his pastoral leadership, the diocese continues to strengthen its missionary activities, participatory structures, educational initiatives and social outreach. His vision places importance on the active involvement of priests, religious and lay faithful in the life and mission of the Church. As the shepherd of a diocese blessed with the missionary legacy of St. Francis Xavier and the martyrdom witness of St. Devasahayam, Bishop Nazarene Soosai carries forward a rich spiritual inheritance while guiding the faithful towards a renewed commitment to the Gospel and service to society.
St. Francis Xavier’s arrival and missionary mission
St. Francis Xavier, one of the founding members of the Society of Jesus (Jesuits) and a close companion of St. Ignatius of Loyola, arrived in Goa in May 1542. Having begun his missionary work there, he turned his attention to the southern coast of India, particularly the fishing communities along the coastal regions of present-day Tamil Nadu and Kerala. His missionary journey brought him to the Kanyakumari region, where he worked among the local Christian communities, especially the Parava and Mukkuva fishing populations. The Diocese of Kottar records that, in 1544, St. Francis Xavier baptised more than 10,000 fishermen belonging to the Mukkuva community in the coastal villages stretching from Poovar to Pallam.
Kottar, which was then an important commercial and cultural centre in the kingdom of Venad (Travancore), became one of the important centres of his missionary activity. According to local church tradition, St. Francis Xavier established Christian communities in 45 places in and around Kottar during the period of his missionary presence, extending approximately from 1542 to 1552. His work was not confined to preaching and baptising. He encouraged the newly formed Christian communities, strengthened their faith and provided pastoral guidance. His missionary activities laid the foundation for the subsequent expansion of Christianity in the region.
The first chapel at Kottar
One of the most significant chapters in the history of the cathedral is associated with the chapel established by St. Francis Xavier himself. According to the tradition preserved by the Church, St. Francis Xavier built a chapel at Kottar dedicated to Our Lady of the Assumption, on land associated with the patronage of the ruler of Travancore. He offered Holy Mass at this chapel during his stay in the region.
The present cathedral preserves the historical memory of this early place of worship. Particularly significant is the altar traditionally identified as the place where St. Francis Xavier celebrated Holy Mass. It continues to be maintained within the cathedral, connecting present-day worshippers with the missionary beginnings of the Christian community at Kottar. The chapel dedicated to Our Lady thus became the spiritual foundation upon which the later church and shrine developed.
The establishment of the Church in 1605
Following the death of St. Francis Xavier in 1552, the Christian community at Kottar continued to preserve his memory and devotion to him. The growth of the Christian population and the increasing importance of Kottar as a religious centre created the need for a more permanent church. In 1605, a church was established at Kottar on land donated by the King of Travancore and dedicated to St. Francis Xavier. This dedication is particularly remarkable because it took place well before the formal canonisation of St. Francis Xavier by Pope Gregory XV in 1622. The church’s early dedication to the missionary reflects the extraordinary devotion and veneration he had already inspired among the people of the region.
The church gradually became an important centre of pilgrimage. Its reputation extended beyond the local Christian population, attracting devotees from different places and communities. The church’s early history is also associated with the Jesuit missionaries who continued the work begun by St. Francis Xavier. Historical accounts of the mission refer to the church at Kottar and its importance as a centre of Christian life in the seventeenth century.
The statue of St. Francis Xavier from Goa
An important addition to the church’s devotional heritage was the statue of St. Francis Xavier brought from Goa. In 1876, the statue was placed on a specially constructed wooden pedestal in the church. The wooden main altar, associated with this period, became a prominent feature of the sanctuary.
The presence of the statue further strengthened the devotion of the faithful to St. Francis Xavier. Over the years, the church became popularly identified with the saint, and Kottar emerged as one of the most important centres of his veneration in India. The cathedral’s association with Goa is especially meaningful. Goa preserves the mortal remains of St. Francis Xavier at the Basilica of Bom Jesus, while Kottar preserves the memory of his missionary presence and the beginnings of his work in the southernmost part of the country.
The growth of the church and its architectural development
Over the centuries, the church underwent several renovations and extensions to accommodate the growing number of worshippers. An important phase of expansion took place in 1865, when the church was enlarged with additional wings, giving it a cruciform appearance. The sanctuary was also renovated and vaulted. The Shrine of Our Lady received attention during this period.
The architectural development of the church reflects different influences and periods of construction. Its older portions, subsequent extensions and Indian architectural elements together give the building a distinctive character. These developments transformed the historic church into a more spacious and impressive centre of worship, while retaining its association with the early missionary history of Kottar.
The establishment of the Diocese of Kottar in 1930
A decisive moment in the history of the church came in 1930. Until then, the Catholic communities of Kottar and the surrounding region formed part of the Diocese of Quilon (Kollam). The growing Catholic population and the need for more effective pastoral administration made the creation of a separate diocese desirable.
Bishop Aloysius Maria Benziger, the Carmelite Bishop of Quilon, played a significant role in recommending the bifurcation of the diocese. On 26 May 1930, the Diocese of Kottar was canonically erected by the Holy See. The new diocese began functioning under its first bishop, the Most Rev. Lawrence Pereira.
St. Francis Xavier’s Church at Kottar was elevated to the status of the Cathedral of the newly established diocese. Thus, the historic church where the great missionary had once offered Holy Mass became the mother church of an extensive Catholic ecclesiastical territory. The establishment of the diocese gave fresh impetus to the spiritual, educational and social development of the Catholic community in the region.
A shrine of pilgrimage and devotion
Today, St. Francis Xavier’s Cathedral stands as one of the most prominent pilgrimage centres in southern India. The annual feast of St. Francis Xavier, celebrated on December 3, draws enormous numbers of pilgrims. The novena preceding the feast, traditionally beginning on November 24, witnesses the arrival of devotees from different parts of Tamil Nadu, Kerala and beyond. People of different faiths and backgrounds visit the cathedral to seek the intercession of the saint, offer prayers and express gratitude for favours received.
The popular Tamil expression, “Ketta Varam Tharum Kottattu Saveriar” ; St. Xavier of Kottar, who grants the favours sought, reflects the deep affection and confidence that generations of devotees have placed in the saint. The cathedral is therefore not merely a monument of historical importance. It is a living centre of faith, prayer and interreligious fellowship.
A living link with the missionary past
The historical significance of St. Francis Xavier’s Cathedral extends beyond its age and architecture. It represents the continuity of a missionary tradition that began with the arrival of St. Francis Xavier in the sixteenth century. The chapel associated with his ministry, the subsequent church established in 1605, the statue brought from Goa, the altar traditionally associated with his celebration of Holy Mass and the elevation of the church to a cathedral in 1930 together form an extraordinary historical legacy.
The cathedral also has a special connection with the life of St. Devasahayam, whose mortal remains were interred in the church after his martyrdom in 1752. He was later canonised by Pope Francis in 2022. This further enriches the cathedral’s place in the spiritual history of the region. From the missionary footsteps of St. Francis Xavier to the establishment of the Diocese of Kottar, the church has witnessed the unfolding of Christianity in Kanniyakumari across generations. The historic altar preserved within the cathedral is a particularly precious link with the past. It reminds every pilgrim that this is not simply a church dedicated to a great saint; it is a sacred place closely associated with his own missionary life.
