The
visit to this Sacred Heart Basilica, at Puducherry, was a part of “Shiva and
Maha Vishnu Temple of Puducherry Visit” on 07th March 2026.
ARCHITECTURE
This
Historical BASILICA is 50 mts. long, 48 mts. wide and 18 mts. high, with Latin
rite cross shape aerial view in Gothic style. 24 main columns hold the
structure, in which we see the biblical word at the entrance written in Latin,"
I have consecrated this house that my name may be there forever. My eyes and my
heart will be there forever", which reveals the presence of the Sacred Heart of
our Lord Jesus Christ. Also, the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mother Mary carved
at the entrance door welcome us. Inside the Church, we can see Glass pictures of
28 saints who were related to the devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus.
THE
HISTORY OF THIS BASILICA
In
the year 1895, the then Archbishop Mgr. Gandhi wished to build a new church in
devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. Rev. Fr. Telesphore Welter, the Parish
Priest of Nellithope, had prepared the building plan, and the Parish Priest of the Cathedral, Rev. Fr. Fourcaud, laid the foundation stone for the new Church in
1902 at the Southern side of Pondicherry Town.
The
blessing of the Church and the first Holy Mass were held at the western wing of
the present Church by Mgr. Gandhi on 17-12-1907, and the new parish surrounding
this Church was established on 27-01-1908.
Our
Lady of Lourdes was established in 1946. The granite pedestal was constructed in
1975. The prayer hall was constructed in 1993. The Church celebrated its centenary
in 2008.
The
Church was elevated to Basilica status through the order on 24th June 2011, on the
Feast of the Solemnity of the Birth of St. John the Baptist, and dedicated on
02nd September 2011.
This 100-year-old church has been led by twenty rectors. The Grotto for Our Lady of
Lourdes, Parish Hall, Adoration chapel, and the new parish community hall were
some of the developments of this church in the last 50 years. After 2005, that
is, after the arrival of the present Parish Priest, Rev. Fr. Thomas, the church
has been fully renovated both inside and out.
Ref:
The
Basilica’s website:
https://sacredheartbasilica.org/history.php
Jesus the Sacred Heart
Jesus, the sacred heart on the door
Rev.
Fr. G. Raja is listed as a former 13th parish priest of the Basilica of the
Sacred Heart of Jesus in Puducherry, having served from 1970 (Ordination in
1942) to 1980. He is recognised as one
of the pastors who managed this historic Gothic-style church. His tomb is on
the right side of the Basilica after the entrance.
Inscription
on the left side of the entrance in the Latin Language…
DECRETUM
DE TITULO BASILICAD
CONGREGATIO
DE CULTU DIVINO ET DISCIPLINA SACRAMENTORUM
Prot.N.1105/09/L
PONDICHERIENSIS
ET CUDDALORENSIS
Instante
Excellentissimo ac Reverendissimo Domino Antonio ANANDARAYAR. Archiepiscopo
Pondicheriensi et Cuddalorensi, litteris die 20 mensis Augusti anno 2009 datis,
preces et vota cleri atque christifidellum expromente, Congregatio de Cultu
Divino et Disciplina Sacramentorum, vigore facultatum peculiarium a Summo
Pontifice BENEDICTO XVI tributarum, ecclesiam paroecialem Deo in honorem
Sacratissimi Cordis lesu in Ipsa civitate Pondopoli dicatam titulo et dignitate
BASILICAE MINORIS omnibus cum luribus atque liturgicis concessionibus rite
competentibus perlibenter exornat, servatis vero servandis, iuxta Decretum
"De Titulo Basilicae Minoris die 9 mensis Novembris anno 1989 evulgatum. Contrariis
quibuslibet minime obstantibus.
Ex
aedibus Congregationis de Cultu Divino et Disciplina Sacramentorum, die 24
mensis lunii anno 2011, in sollemnitate Nativitatis Sancti Joannis Baptistae.
Inscription
on the left side of the entrance translated into English…
DECREE
ON THE TITLE OF BASILICA
CONGREGATION
OF DIVINE WORSHIP AND THE SACRAMENTAL LINK
Prol.N.1105/09/L
OF
PONDICHERY AND CUDDALORE
At
the request of His Excellency the Most Reverend Lord Antonio ANANDARAYAR,
Archbishop of Pondicherry and Cuddalore, in a letter dated 20th August 2009,
and in response to the prayers and wishes of the clergy and the Christian
faithful, the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the
Sacraments, by virtue of the special faculties granted by the Supreme Pontiff
BENEDICT XVI, gladly adorns the parish church dedicated to God in honour of the
Most Sacred Heart of Jesus in the city of Pondopolis with the title and dignity
of MINOR BASILICA with all the privileges and liturgical concessions duly
appropriate, subject to the observance of the following, in accordance with the
Decree "On the Title of Minor Basilicas" published on 9th November
1989.
Notwithstanding
any contrary circumstances,
From
the offices of the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the
Sacraments, on June 24, 2011, on the Solemnity of the Nativity of Saint John
the Baptist.
The
inscription on the right side of the entrance…
CONGREGATION
FOR
DECOFLINE
OF SALENTO
TO
THE FAITHFUL OF THE ARCHDIOCESE OF PONDICHERRY AND CUDDALORE
To
His Excellency, the Most Rev. Antony Anandarayar, Archbishop of Pondicherry and
Cuddalore, with regard to the letter dated 20th of August 2009, with requests
and longings of the Clergy and the Faithful, the Congregation for Divine Cult
and Discipline of the Sacraments, by the power of the special faculty given by
the Supreme Pontiff Benedict XVI, adorns with pleasure, the Parochial Church
dedicated to God in honour of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus in the City of
Pondicherry, with the title and dignity of MINOR BASILICA with rights and
liturgical concessions rightly granted. Servatis Vero Servandis (whatever is to
be preserved really should be preserved, no change) according to the Decree DE
TITULO BASILICAE MINORIS promulgated on the 9th of November 1989
Anything
contrary is strictly forbidden.
This
is granted from the Office of the Congregation for Divine Cult and Discipline
of Sacraments, on the 24th of June 2011, on the Feast of the Solemnity of the Birth
of St. John the Baptist.
HOW
TO REACH
The
Basilica is in Puducherry, South Boulevard Road, 0.5 km from Puducherry Railway
Station, 41 km from Villupuram, and 43 km from Tindivanam.
The
nearest Railway Station is Puducherry.
LOCATION
OF THE BASILICA: CLICK HERE
The kodimaram
---
OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---
