Mission appeal on behalf of Archbishop Anthony Papusamy for Madurai Archdiocese, India

06-21-2020Weekly ReflectionFather Prince Raja

Hello This is Father Prince Raja, every year from the society of the propagation of the faith, our parishes will get a visiting priest to make a mission appeal for their diocese or their congregation, since this week and next week will be my last in our parishes, I am doing this missionary cooperative program 2020 for my diocese back in India, at present my archbisop can't be here to do this Mission appeal, on behalf of my Archbishop Anthony Papusamy for Madurai Archdiocese, India, I will give some brief history of my diocese and the works that are being done there with your help.

The present Archdiocese of Madurai in its inception was nurtured by the French Jesuit Missionaries of Madura Mission of the then Malabar Province now known as southern India. Robert De Nobili ( 1577-1656), St. John De Britto (1647-1693), Constantine Beschi(1680-1747), James De Rossi (1700) are the valiant missionaries who with zeal created and developed the Old Madura mission. St. John De Britto, who was martyred for the faith on 4th Feb. 1693 at Oriyur, is the Patron Saint of the Archdiocese. The present territory of the Archdiocese of Madurai comprises of the whole of Madurai civil district. The Diocese of Madurai, bifurcated from the Diocese of Trichinopally (Trichy) was created on 8th January 1938 by the bull "Si inter infidels". By the Apostolic Constitution "Mutant Res" dated September 19, 1953 the Diocese of Madurai was raised to an Archdiocese.

At present my Archbishop is asking your generous contribution towards 'Pon Idhayam' (Golden Heart) technical institute for both boys and girls who are orphans and poor. This institute is helping lot of deserving young people for their future and the COVID 19 relief works.

Diocesan Data

Name – Archdiocese of Madurai
Archbishop – Most Rev. Antony Pappusamy
Catholic Population – 2,65,000
Diocesan Priests – 125
Religious Priests – 185
Religious Sisters – 1124
Religious Brothers – 43

On behalf of my Archbishop, I sincerely thank LaCrosse diocese Bishop William and Rev. Woodrow Pace, Mission office director for letting me present this year Mission appeal in our three parishes. Thank you for your generous contribution towards my Archdiocese.