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our history

Little Mount Shrine

This historical place has been made sacred by the presence of St. Thomas, the Apostle. He was the first missionary, a direct witness of Jesus, who handed over the Christian faith to us in the first century. The cave at Little Mount is a treasured memory of St. Thomas, as it offered him a silent and serene space to reenergise himself in prayer and meditation to preach the Good News of Jesus to the people and to baptise them. An impression of the apostle’s own hand, the bleeding cross, the perpetual spring and the right foot impression of St. Thomas evoke revered memories of his presence at Little Mount, who exclaimed in profound faith: “My Lord and My God!” He was stabbed to death and martyred at St. Thomas Mount. He was buried at Santhome, where the magnificent cathedral now stands.

In commemoration of the 19th centenary of the martyrdom of St. Thomas, a circular church was built and dedicated to Our Lady of Health and St. Thomas. The circular church, with its creative architecture, was blessed and inaugurated in the year 1971 by the then Archbishop of Madras-Mylapore, Most Rev Dr R Arulappa. In the past few years, strenuous and delicate efforts have been taken to create a spiritual and prayerful ambience at this shrine so that pilgrims, who come from different parts of the country and the world, are truly comforted with divine presence.

The circular church not only reminds us of the glorious legacy of St. Thomas but also stands as a symbol of the ecclesial priorities enshrined in the Second Vatican Council. In order to mark the 50th year of the circular church, we have taken initiatives to restore the church to preserve its pristine glory. On this momentous occasion, it has been decided to release a commemorative souvenir that will reflect the spiritual heritage and historical value of this shrine. Therefore, we humbly solicit your valuable patronage by posting your advertisements in this souvenir to further enrich this milestone in history!

Our Mission

Little Mount Shrine is a community of faith united in Eucharist and committed to seeking God through prayer; sharing our gifts of time, talent, and treasure; providing formation and education for children and adults; responding to the needs of people by sharing our faith and resources. We are dedicated to living and proclaiming the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

cave

The Cave

St. Thomas had left behind, lasting impressions for generations after generations, of persons and stones, rocks, with his chisel and hammer and more so with impressions of his person, even blood itself, as we can see even to this day, at Little Mount Cave, at the altar and at the rocks. His hand and foot impressions and blood stains on some of these rocks at Little Mount never to be blotted out for ages to come.Little Mount or Chinna Malai, to put in popular Tamil, was very dear to our Apostle Thomas. This is one of the three places on the Coroman del Coast actively associated with the mission ary labours of the Apostle. This cave is the printed photograph on this card. It reminds the cave of Bethlehem.

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Holy Land

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Chapel

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Lord Jesus : "Put your finger here, look, her are my hands. Give me your hand; put it into my side. Doubt no longer, but believe"

Thomas : "My Lord and My God"

Places To View

community places & facilities

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Holy Land

THE ENTRANCE

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Holy Land

JESUS STATUE

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Prayer Spot

WHERE ST.THOMAS PRAYED

Speciality of Little Mount Shrine

SMALL DESCRIPTION

The church built in 1551 A.D. proved inadequate. To commemorate the 19th centenary of St. Tho mas Martyredom in 1972, a circular church was built at Little Mount. 

The annual feast of the church dedicated to Our Lady of Health is celebrated on the fourth Sunday after easter. Pilgrims from all over South India both Christians and non-christians flock to this pilgrim centre-year after year. There is a great awareness and awakening to the cult, Veneration and honour to our Apostle Thomas.

There is an interesting incident about our Apostle at the time of burial. corn’ and sl. The body of the Saint was brought to San Thome in great veneration and piety. They burried him in the church, which he himself built, together with the stone which had the foot prints on it, and the sand with blood. But the right arm resisted burial. Their attempts to push it down failed. The arm of the Apostle remained outside the grave unburried. The people covered the arm with a silk cloth.

Dionysio attests to this fact. Devotees used to kiss the hand. Monserrate, suggests that the arm refused to be burried, because it had touched the Sacred side of our Lord. Though his remains, relics, were taken away to Edessa and Ortona, he still lives with us. His extending and protecting hand is over us and our country.Pope Paul VI sent his legate, His Eminence, the Cardinal Convey, for the 19th centenary cel ebrations of St. Thomas at Madras in the 1972. year

On the final concluding day speech, the Cardi nal Convey, declared, as the representative of the Holy Father Pope Paul VI that St. Thomas is the Patron Apostle of India. It is an official declaration from the Holy See.

In the Acts of the Apostles we read “so many signs and wonders were worked among the people at the hands of the apostles”. Even to day people come with faith to the holy places of the apostles get the same favours as when they were alive.

TESTIMONIALS

Mass Timings

Weekdays
06:00a.m. Morning Prayer
06:15a.m. English Mass
11:30a.m. Tamil Mass
06:00p.m. Benediction & Rosary
06:30p.m. Tamil Mass

Sundays
06:15a.m. - English mass
08:00a.m. - Tamil Mass
08:00a.m. - Tamil Mass (Kotturpuram)
08:00a.m. - Tamil Mass (Catechism children)
10.00a.m. - Korean Mass
11:30a.m. - Tamil Mass
05:00p.m. - Tamil Mass
06:30p.m. - English Mass