Amala Annai Church

Thirumangalam is 20 km south of Madurai en route to Kanyakumari on the National Highway No. 7. Amala Annai Church is located just on the National Highway. In front of the church are the Taluk and Munsiff Courts, Prison, Taluk Office, Registrar’s Office and sub-treasury. Behind the church are the Government Hospital and Head Post Office. At the right side of the church lie the Municipal Office and Traveller’s Bungalow. Most Rev. Justin Diraviam invited the Capuchins to work in Madurai Archdiocese. The pioneers, Frs. Mark OFM Cap. and Mathias OFM Cap., worked in Kalladithidal in Ramnad district before Fr. Mathias could find a suitable place for the Capuchin mission in Thirumangalam. The present site with a small chapel (circumference of the area – 7350 sq. metres) was given to the Capuchins, and they were asked to take up the mission parish of Usilampatti itself in which lay Thirumangalam. The foundation in Thirumangalam was blessed by the Archbishop on 8th December 1970. The construction of the new chapel began in February 1974 and completed in December 1976. Thirumangalam was raised to the status of a parish in 1994 and Fr. Benjamin OFM Cap. was the first official Parish Priest. The approximate population of Thirumangalam at present is 50200, among whom Catholics number around 600. The main occupation of the locals is self-employment. The Capuchins take care of four substations namely, Sathangudi, T. Kallupatti, Odaipatty and Uchapatti Srilankan refugee’s camp. Fr. Arockiam OFM Cap. is the present Parish Priest. Substations 1. Sathangudi 2. Odaipatty 3. Uchampatti Sri Lankan Refugee’s Camp 4. T. Kalluppatti There are five religious communities in the Parish: 1. Capuchins 2. FMM Sisters 3. CIC Sisters 4. FIHM Sisters 5. St. Joseph of Tharbs Sisters. The succession of parish priests Fr. Mathias OFM Cap (1970-75) Fr. Joachim OFM Cap (1975-76) Fr. Pancras OFM Cap (1976-78) Fr. Irudaya Samy OFM Cap (1978-1979) Fr. Bosco OFM Cap (1979-1981) Fr. John Antony OFM Cap (1981-1982) Fr. R. Charles OFM Cap (1982-1984) Fr. Percy Joseph Raj OFM Cap (1984-1987) Fr. Arockiam OFM Cap (1987-1990) Fr. Mariaraj OFM Cap (1990-1993) Fr. Benjamin OFM Cap (1993-1996) Fr. Vedanayagam OFM Cap (1996-1999) Fr. Theresnathan OFM Cap (1999-2002) Fr. Andrews OFM Cap (2002-2005) Fr. Francis Peter Durai OFM Cap (2005-2008) Fr. J. Jone Antony Raja OFM Cap (2008-2010) Fr. J. Arockiam OFM Cap (2010-2013 Fr. Anbin Amalan (2013-2014) Fr. Anbu 2014

Amala Annai Church, Nirmala Ashram, Thirumangalam, Madurai ? 625 706