8 September
Our parish feast
The Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary — the feast of Our Lady of Health, and the close of the ten days feast that opens with the flag hoisting on 29 August. Full programme.
All Masses and devotions are celebrated in Tamil. Everyone is welcome at every Mass, and nothing needs to be booked.
| Time | Service | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 7:00 AM | Holy Mass | The early morning Mass. |
| 9:30 AM | Holy Mass | The principal parish Mass. Catechism children and the choir normally attend this one. |
| Day | Time | Service |
|---|---|---|
| Monday | 6:30 AM | Holy Mass |
| Tuesday | 6:30 AM | Holy Mass |
| Wednesday | 6:00 PM 6:30 PM |
Holy Rosary Holy Mass |
| Thursday | 6:30 AM | Holy Mass |
| Friday | 6:00 PM 6:30 PM |
Holy Rosary Holy Mass |
| Saturday | 6:00 PM 6:30 PM |
Holy Rosary Holy Mass |
In short — Mass is in the morning on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday, and in the evening on Wednesday, Friday and Saturday, always preceded by the Holy Rosary.
The eighth of every month
Monthly devotion to Our Lady of Health
Our patronal feast falls on 8 September, and so the eighth day of every month is kept in her honour. It is the fullest evening of the parish month, and many come from well beyond Muthamizh Nagar for it.
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6:00 PM
Holy Rosary
The parish gathers to pray the Rosary together before the Mass begins.
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Following the Rosary
Special Holy Mass
The Mass of the monthly devotion, offered in honour of Our Lady of Health and for the intentions entrusted to her.
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After Mass
Car procession
The image of Our Lady is carried in procession on the decorated car through the streets around the church, with candles, music and the prayers of the parish.
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To close
Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament
The Blessed Sacrament is exposed for adoration, and the evening ends with Benediction.
The eighth falls on a different weekday each month, and the devotion is held in addition to that day’s usual Mass time.
| Devotion | When | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Holy Rosary | Wed, Fri & Sat, 6:00 PM | Prayed together in the church before the evening Mass. |
| Confessions | Before Mass, or by appointment | Please speak to the parish priest, or ring the parish to arrange a time. Exact confession times to be confirmed. |
| Mass intentions | Register before Mass | Masses may be offered for the sick, for the departed, in thanksgiving or for any intention. Give the details at the parish office beforehand. |
| Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament | 8th of the month, after Mass | With Benediction. See the monthly devotion. |
| Novena to Our Lady of Health | During the feast days | Prayed through the ten days of the feast. The prayers are here. |
| Anbiyam prayer meetings | Monthly, in homes | Basic Christian Community gatherings, street by street. Ask at the office for your anbiyam and its day. |
Through the year
Solemnities & special days
On these days Mass times differ from the usual schedule. Watch the notice board and the announcements page for the exact timings each year.
Movable
Holy Week & Easter
Palm Sunday, the Chrism Mass, Holy Thursday, the Good Friday liturgy and Way of the Cross, and the Easter Vigil. A separate schedule is published each Lent.
24 & 25 December
Christmas
Midnight Mass on Christmas Eve and Masses on Christmas Day, with carols and the crib blessing.
1 January
Mary, Mother of God
The solemnity of the Blessed Virgin Mary and the beginning of the civil year, kept with a Mass of thanksgiving.
Ash Wednesday
Beginning of Lent
Distribution of ashes at all Masses, with the Way of the Cross on Fridays through Lent.
2 November
All Souls’ Day
Mass for the faithful departed, with the blessing of graves at the cemetery.
Practical notes
If you are coming for the first time
No. Mass is open to everyone and there is nothing to book. Come as you are. If you would like to follow the readings, printed booklets are usually available at the entrance.
There are steps at the main entrance. Please speak to one of the volunteers or telephone the office in advance if you need assistance, and someone will help you in.
Yes, most warmly. Many who come to Our Lady of Health are not Catholic — at Velankanni that has always been so. You are welcome to be present, to pray, and to come forward for a blessing at communion time if you wish; simply cross your arms over your chest.
Yes. Masses may be offered for the sick, for the departed, in thanksgiving, or for any intention. Please give the details at the parish office a few days in advance.
The church is on North Avenue in Muthamizh Nagar, close to Kodungaiyur bus terminus and reachable from the Erukkanchery high road. See the contact and directions page for a map.
Timings changed, or something missing?
If you spot anything out of date on this page, please tell the parish office so we can correct it.