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The shrine Basilica of Arokia Madha of Vailankanni is planning to celebrate the 50th year of the elevation of the Shrine to the status of 'Basilica'. The Golden Jubilee Year is from 3rd November 2011.
The history of the Shrine goes back to the 16th century when Mary, the Blessed Mother of Jesus, appeared to a milk-vendor and a lame boy in the 17th century when the Mother saved the Portuguese sailors from a shipwreck in the Bay of Bengal. These three incidents are the foundation for the fame and name of this Shrine.
In September 1771 Vailankanni became an independent parish, bifurcated from the nearby town Nagapattinam and hence this parish is completing 240th year of its formation in September 2011.
The innumerable miracles wrought by the Mother of Health in the lives of lakhs of pilgrims have spread far and wide that attracts a large number of devotees everyday from every corner of our country and from many foreign countries. Hence, His Holiness Pope John XXIII raised this Shrine to the status of 'Basilica' on 3rd November 1962. His Holiness John Paul II declared this Shrine as 'Lourdes of the East' in the year 2002.
As the Basilica is stepping into its Golden Jubilee Year on 3rd November 2011, we feel privileged to celebrate this golden year.
Therefore it is most fitting that we celebrate this Golden Year in a very grand manner. Special prayers are offered for the intentions of all people of the world as the Shrine ever remains a haven of joy and peace to all those who will continue to make pilgrimages to this Shrine
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