Sunday, August 17, 2014

Chronology - Tamil Nadu Capuchins

Capuchins in Tamil Nadu

1632 - The first batch of six French Capuchins arrived at Pondicherry with the French traders.

          - This is the first arrival of the Capuchins to India.

1634 - The French closed its sea – agency and the Capuchins too leave Pondicherry

1639 - The arrival of English to Madras.

- The foundation of city of Madras

1642 - The arrival of Fr. Ephrem de Nevers OFM.Cap, and the establishment of the

Capuchin Mission in Madras.

- The First Church of Madras dedicated to St. Andrews is built in the walls of St. George.

- The First English School in India by Fr. Ephrem de Nevers in the presbytery of St. Andrews.

- Madras was created as an Apostolic Prefecture and Fr. Ephrem de Nevers was appointed the First Prefect Apostolic of Madras by Pope Urban VIII.

1642 - The second batch of Capuchins arrived at Pondicherry but leave soon.

1649 - Arrest of Fr. Ephrem by the Padroado clergy in Mylapore.

1650 - Fr. Ephrem was under the Portuguese inquisition in Goa.

- Fr. Zeno OFM.Cap., from Surat came to cater the Capuchin Mission in  Madras.

1652 - The release of Fr. Ephrem.

1653 - Fr. Ephrem back to Madras.

1658 - Fr. Ephrem built the Second church of the Capuchins, St. Mary of the Angels at Armenian Street, Black Town.

1663 - Mgr. F. Pallu Vicar Apostolic of Tonkin in China confirmed 3000 Catholics in

Madras.

1673 - The third batch of Capuchins arrived at Pondicherry with the French Settlers.

- François Martin, a French Man founded the City of Pondicherry.

- He invited officially the French Capuchins the apostolic missionaries of Madras, the city of British to Pondicherry for the spiritual ministry and the missionary activity.

1674 - Fr, Cosmos De Gien founded the Capuchin mission in Pondicherry.

1675 - The Capuchins replaced St. Andrews with a magnificent church at the Fort of St. George, Madras.

1680 - The Church of St. Mary of the Anglicans is built in the Fort, Madras.

1686 - The Capuchins built the First Church of Pondicherry dedicated to St. Peter (Lazer) by the financial assistance of Thanappa Mudaliar @ Lazar de Motta a local Christian leader of the Tamil Christian community.

1689 - The French Jesuits’ mission failed in Siam and came to Pondicherry.

1690 - The Capuchins opened the mission stations of Alambarve, Karayampuly, MaraKanam,Cuddalore, Manjakupam and Kadapakam in Pondicherry Mission.

1695 - The death of Venerable Father Ephrem de Nevers, the founder of the Madras

Mission.

1699 - Pondicherry Tamil Christian community was constituted as a parish under the diocese of Mylapore. Fr. Jacques de Bourges OFM.Cap was appointed the first Parish Priest of Pondicherry.

- Within few months, the Jesuits were appointed exclusively to the Tamils and The Capuchins became in charge of the Europeans and the Eurasians.

1703-Francois Marie de Tours went to Rome to present the controversy of Malabar-

rites and the rights of the Capuchin missionary work among the Tamils to Propaganda Fide.

1704- Cardinal Mailard de Tournon the Roman Legate condemned the Malabar rites.

1706 - Pondicherry Capuchins in the mission of Chandernagore, West Bengal.

1709 - The first church of the Capuchins dedicated to Our Lady of the Queen of the Angels (Caps Kovil) was built.

1732 - Fr. Thomas of Poitiers from Pondicherry, opened a new mission among the tribals near Chittor, Andhra.

1737 - Karaikal became a mission station of the Pondicherry Capuchins.

1738 - The Capuchin church of the Queen of the Angels, Pondicherry became a parish in the diocese of Mylapore.

1746 - The French captured Madras.

- Foundation of an orphanage by the Capuchins in Madras.

1749 - The English returned to Madras.

- The expulsion of the Capuchins from the Fort of St. George, Madras.

1750- Capuchins of Pondicherry in Coastal Andhra.

1752 - The English demolished the First church of Madras, St. Andrews in the Fort.

1758 - Madras Capuchins built a chapel at Chindadrepettah.

1769 - Madras Capuchins built a church at Royapettah.

1772 - The Madras Capuchin Prefecture under the Episcopal See of Mylapore.

1776 - Fr. Sebastian of Nevers OFM.Cap, was appointed as the Prefect Apostolic over the Europeans and the Eurasians in Pondicherry.

1785 - Fr. Victor of Niort OFM.Cap rebuilt and enlarged the church of St. Mary of the Angels ( today, Shrine of St. Anthony of Padua), Armenian Street, Madras.

1792 - French revolution affected the flow of the Capuchin missionaries of French from the Province of Tours to Madras and Pondicherry.

1811 - The end of Missionary labour of the French Capuchins of the Province of Tours in the mission of Pondicherry.

1814 - A church built at the cemetery of Washermenpet, Madras.

1822 - Fr. Gregory Mary of Beno OFM.Cap., developed Periyapalayam, Madras  into a Pilgrimage centre.

- The arrival of the Italian Capuchins in Pondicherry to continue the Mission.

1828 - Apostolic Prefecture of the Capuchins in Pondicherry was transferred to the Holy Spirit Fathers.

- The end of Capuchin mission in Pondicherry.

1830 - Fr. Felix an Italian Capuchin built a church at Vepry, Madras, dedicated to St. Andrews.

- A church dedicated to St. George is built at Madhavarm, Madras.

1834 - Madras Capuchin Apostolic Prefecture transferred to the Irish Augustinians.

- The end of Capuchin Mission in Madras and 202 years of Capuchin missionary presence in Tamil Nadu.

1943 June 13- The Capuchins re-entered Tamil Nadu after 109 years with the blessing of Amalashram, in Sri Rangam island in Trichy city.

          - Fr. Urban of Lanervelli a French Capuchin who was then Commissary General of the Capuchins in India founded this new friary in Tamil region.

1949- St. Joseph’s Friary, Kotagiri was blessed.

1950- St. Francis Friary, Kumbakonam was blessed.

1956- Shanthi Ashram and Fatima Parish at Gandhipuram, Coimbatore were blessed.

1957- Coimbatore became the Commissarite of the Capuchins in India.

1958- St. Francis friary at Kumbakonam was closed down.

1963- India became a Province under the patronage of Immaculate Heart of Mary and Coimbatore became the provincialate.

1966- St. Peter’s Friary, Pattukkottai was blessed.

1967- Paduvai Ashram at Amali Nagar, Thiruchendhur, was blessed.

1970- Paduvai Ashram was shifted to Tuticorin and Thiruchendhur was closed down.

1970- Nirumala Ashram, Thirumangalam, Madurai was blessed.

1971- St. Mathias Friary at Ashok Nagar, Chennai, was blessed.

1972- The decree of the division of the Indian Province into four different jurisdictions was promulgated.

1972 May 17- Tamil Nadu became a province under the patronage of Amala Annai and Fr. Jonthan was appointed the first Provincial.

          - The other new provinces in India are St. Joseph’s, Kerala, Most Holy Trinity, Karnataka, Goa, Maharashtra and St. Francis Vice Province, Kerala.

          - Shanthi Ashram, Coimbatore continued to be the provincilalate for Tamil Nadu.

1974 June- Initiation course was started at Amalashram.

1975 March 2-8- The First Election chapter was held at Shanthi Ashram, Coimbatore and Fr. Jonathan was elected Provincial for another three years.

1978 Mar 29- Apr 4- The Second Election Chapter was held at Shanthi Ashram, Coimbatore, Fr. Mathias was elected Provincial.

1979 Oct 16 -  Assisi Ashram, a retreat house at Pampanvilai, Nagercoil was blessed.

1979  - Nagari Mission in the diocese of Cuddapah, Andhra was founded.

1981 May 18-22 – The Third election chapter, Fr. Mathias was re-elected the Provincial at Shanthi Ashram, Coimbatore.

1981 June 21- Novitiate was started at St. Joseph’s Friary, Kotagiri.

1983 June – Gnanalaya in Tirchy was blessed.

1984 May 21-25- Fr. B. Aruldass was elected the provincial in the fourth election chapter held at St. Joseph’s Friary, Kotagiri.

1984 June- Philosophate was Started at Shanthi Ashram, Coimbatore.

1985 May – Novitiate was shifted to Assisi Ashram, Pambanvillai, Nagercoil.

1985 June- Philosophate was shifted to Kotagiri.

1985 July- Initiation course was shifted to Paduvai Ashram, Tuticorin.

1987 March 1- Arulagam at Vicramasingapuram was blessed.

1987 March 1- Retreat house at Paduvai Ashram, Tuticorin was blessed.

1987 March 9-14- The Fifth election chapter was held at Amalashram, Trichy and Fr. B. Aruldass was re-elected the Provincial.

1987 April- The Provincialate from Shanthi Ashram, Coimbatore was shifted to Gnanlaya, Trichy.

1987 May 23 – Capuchin Theoloagate was started at Amalashram, Trichy.

1989 June 26- The first batch of three Tamil Capuchins left for Bulawayo in Zimbabwe (Africa) for mission work.

          - Zimbabwe is the first mission territory of the Tamil Capuchins.

1990 Jan 1- Queen of Peace, the first friary of Zimbabwe was founded at Bulawayo.

1990 Mar 5-10- The sixth election chapter was held Amalashram, Trichy, Fr. D. Jesudass was elected Provincial.

1990 Aug 21- Fatima Mission, Hwange in Zimbabwe was blessed.

1991 July – Brunapeg Mission, Zimbabwe was erected as parish.

1992 Dec 6- St. Francis Anbagam, Okkur-Pudur, Sivagangai was blessed.

1993 Apr 19-23- The seventh election chapter was held at the Friary, Kotagiri. Fr. Percy Joseph Raj was elected Provincial.

1994 Jan 1- Capuchin Theologate at Amalashram, Trichy was affiliated to St. Peter’s Pontifical Seminary, Bangalore.

1995 May- Fatima Nagar Parish, Trichy was entrusted to the Capuchins.

1995 July 1- The Malaysian Friars were incorporated into the Philippines Province.

1996 Apr 4- St. Francis Matric. School, Thirumangalam received government approval.

1996 July 6- Arunodaya, Vannampatty, Dindugal was blessed.

1996 July 22-26- The Eighth Election Chapter was held at St. Joseph’s Friary, Kotagiri. Fr. John Antony was elected Provincial.

          - The Capuchin Friars Minor Multipurpose Social Service Society (CFMMSSS) started to function at Udhayam, Trichy.

1996 Aug- St. Peter’s friary, Pattukkottai was closed down.

1996- Capuchin Ministry began at KM Kottai, Sivagangai diocese.

1997 June 15- Okkur-Pudur, Sivagangai was erected a Parish.

1998 April 14- St. Antony’ parish was erected at Arcot.

1998 June 2- St. Antony’ parish was erected at Sundampatty, Krishnagiri.

1998 June – Brindisi Matric. School was started at Shanthi Ashram, Coimbatore.

1999 Jan 4- Burkina Faso Mission in West Africa was entrusted to the Tamil Nadu Capuchins.

1999 Feb 24- Anugraha Animation Centre, Nochiodai Patty, Dindugal was blessed.

1999 Apr 7- The Zimbabwa Tamil Capuchin mission was raised to the status of a custody, Fr. Jeyaraj was appointed the first Superior Regular.

1999 May 3-7- Fr. John Antony was re-elected Provincial in the Ninth Election Chapter held at Amalashram, Trichy.

2000 June 5- Infant Jesus parish, Vallam, Chengelpet was erected and entrusted to the Capuchins.

2000- Pio Matric. School was started at Arcot.

2000 Dec 19- Vidivelli Animtion centre was blessed at Sundampatti, Krishnagiri.

2001 Aug 2- Anugraha became the institute of Counselling.

2001 Sep 8- Capuchin Legal Awarness, Research and Educational Services (CLARES), a new ministry was introduced at Amalashram, Trichy.

2001 Oct 5- Capuchins began their ministry in Sendamangalam, Namakkal.

2002 May 13-17- The Tenth Election chapter took place at Anugraha, Nochiodaipatti, Dindugal. Fr. Divakar was elected Provincial.

2003 Sep 8- CLARES  was blessed in Ponnagar, Trichy.

2004 Dec 28- Post-Novices, Regents, Philosophy and Theology students with the initiative and guidance of CFMMSSS launched rescue operations in Tsunami hit villages in the coastal districts of Kanyakumari, Nagapattinam and Cuddalore.

2005 Jan 29- New friary was blessed in Burkino Faso.

2005 April 30- The Capuchin ministry came to an end at Fatima Nagar, Trichy.

2005 May 2-6- Fr. John Antony was elected Provincial in the Eleventh Election chapter held at Anugraha, Nochiodaipatti, Dindugal.

2005 Oct 23- Nochiodaipatty was erected a Parish and entrusted to the Capuchins.

2005 Dec 8- Sendamangalam was erected a Parish and entrusted to the Capuchins.

2006 Sep 20- Fr. John Antony was elected a Definitor General in the 83rd General Chapter held at Rome.

2006 Sep 20- Fr. Alphonse Charles was appointed Provincial by Br. General in the place of Fr. John Antony.

2006 Nov 25- Karunaikadal at Rameshwaram was blessed.

2007 May 26- Udhayam Polytechnic College at Thenkuda, Rameswaram was blessed.

2008 April- The Twelfth Election Chapter was held at Anugraha, Dindugal and Fr. Alphonse Charles was elected Provincial.

2008 June – Sangamam, at Perugamani was blessed.

2008 June 11- The New Theologate-Francesco at Vengangudi, Trichy was blessed.

2008 March 10- St. Francis Ashram at Thiyagadurgam was blessed.

2008 June- Sacred Heart Primary School at Kollikudi was blessed.

2009 March- Capuchins began their ministry in ‘Reaching the Unreached’ (RTU), at G. Kallupatti.

2009 June 8- Theologate was shifted from Amalashram to Francesco, Trichy.

2010, July 29- Anugraha Institute of Social Sciences was inaugurated at Nochiodaipatty, Dindugal.

2011 May 16-20- The Thirteenth election chapter was held at Anugraha, Nochiodaipatty and Fr. Alphonse Charles was re-elected Provincial.

2012 April 25- Tamil Nadu Amala Annai Province was bifurcated into two new Provinces at Amalashram, Trichy. They are

          - Amala Annai Province, Northern part of Tamil Nadu and

          - Mary, Queen of Peace Province, Southern part of Tamil Nadu.

          - Fr. A.J. Mathew was appointed the Provincial of North Tamil Nadu and

          Fr. S. Arockiam was appointed the Provincial of South Tamil Nadu.



- FR. A. Thainis, OFM.Cap.,

Capuchin Churches in Madras

The Churches founded by the French Capuchins in Madras

The Catholic population was on increase therefore, Fr. Ephrem built another Church dedicated to St. Mary of Angels among the natives in 1658.[1] According to Norbert Wolf, Frs. Zeno and Ephrem were expelled from Madras in 1668 and 1674 but every time they were allowed to return within a short period.[2] The Portuguese soldiers, topazes and other Catholics depended on the English for refuge and security, more people from San Thome settled in Madras. The Catholic community grew rapidly.
            The pioneer missionaries Ephrem and Zeno grew old and weak to carry out much work, Fr. Michael of Angel of Bourges a French Capuchin from Tours in 1691 came to assist them. Fr. Zeno a zealous missionary at Surat and Madras, encouraging and amiable companion of Fr. Ephrem died in 1692.[3] He died at the age of 85 and was buried in St. Andrew’s Church in the Fort. It was taxing Frs. Ephrem and Michael to cater the spiritual needs of 8000 Catholics; therefore they petitioned the government to allow employing another assistant. The government considered the reasonable petition and allowed for another missionary and Fr. Rene of Angouleme joined them in 1693.[4]
            Fr. Ephrem of Nevers died on October 13th, 1695, having been a religious for 70 years.[5] “He had toiled in Madras for more than half a century (1642-1695) and was loved and revered by all. He was buried at the foot of the high altar of St. Andrew’s Church, by the side of his confrere Zeno”.[6] He was a loyal servant of Jesus Christ, true son of St. Francis and man with great missionary zeal to plant Christianity in the Indian soil. Though he had to suffer with grave antagonism of the Portuguese clergy and the Protestant missionaries never gave up his missionary zeal. He endured all sufferings for the love of Christ and laid a strong foundation for the flourishing Church in Madras.

       The pioneers Ephrem and Zeno laid a strong foundation for the Capuchin mission. The mission was well developed by their hard labour and missionary zeal. Many French Capuchins Cosmas of Gien, Jacques of Bourges, Spiritus of Tours, Lawrence of Angouleme, Michael Angel of Bourges, Rene of Angouleme and Thomas of Poitiers joined these holy men to carry out the mission of Christ at Madras.[7] St. Andrews in the Fort and St. Mary of the angels became the mission centres of the Capuchins.
There were 7000 Catholics about 1707 in Madras and it was 17000 after eighty years in the Black town only.[8]   They were mostly Tamil Catholics; among them the dominant community was the boatmen, because they were absolutely needed by the ships coming to Madras. There were also European and Armenian Catholics four of them became prominent merchants.

1 St. Andrew’s Church, St. George Fort
      (Tamil Nadu State Assembly Complex)

The map of Madras in 1642


            Fr. Ephrem built a Church, dedicated to St. Andrew the apostle in 1642 and it was made of a timber shed.[9] Catholics were privileged to have built the first Church in St. George which was a non-Catholic fort.[10] It was an indication of the broad and tolerant spirit of the East India Company at the time that they allowed to erect a Catholic Church even before an Anglican Church was built. Fr. Ephrem conducted all the religious ceremonies in this Church.[11] Since the Portuguese priests knew no English or Tamil, the English, the Irish and the Tamil Catholics always came to St. Andrew’s Church because Fr. Ephrem was a linguist. Love H.D says that it was also called Portuguese Church, because the majority of the people who attended it were Portuguese and the homilies were mostly in Portuguese. Besides the Catholic worship at St. Andrew’s, even other denominations of Christians held their worship at different times.[12]
            After 33 years, the Capuchins under the supervision Fr. Ephrem replaced the timber shed church in 1675 with a magnificent, handsome and fabulous Church.[13] On the day of consecration, the English Governor Sir William Langhore ordered a salute of great guns from the fort and 3 volleys of small shots by all the soldiers in the garrison.[14] The Protestants were very much displeased with the generosity and kindness of the Governor towards the Catholics at the consecration of St. Andrew’s Church.[15] So, they complained to the Court of Directors of the East India Company in London, about Sir William Langhore liberality towards the Catholics. The Court of Directors too expressed displeasure at his conduct and recalled him in 1677. [16] The first Church of Madras and of the Capuchins was destroyed by the English in 1752.




In the map C was the place of St. Andrews, Capuchin Church in St. George Fort, Madras



2. The Church of Mary of Angels, Armenian Street
  ( Today, Co-Cathedral of Madras-Mylapore & Famous Shrine of St. Anthony of Padua)






The View of the Co- Cathedral in Armenian Street.

            As pastor of St. Andrew’s Church, Fr. Ephrem felt the need of another Church in the native quarters because of the growing local Catholics.[17] He applied to Sir Henry Greenhil then the agent, for a plot of ground to build a Church which also will serve a burial ground for the Portuguese inhabitants. This burying place was at Muthialpetta, within 1200 yards from St. Geroge Fort. It was sanctioned in 1658 and in the same year Fr. Ephrem put up a chapel, it is known in the Fort records the “Open Pandall Chappell”. This is now the origin of St. Mary’s Cathedral[18] at Armenian Street.[19]
“In answer to your request for liberty to repair your open pandall chapel, it being much decayed and in danger of falling, which to prevent and the danger iot may do, I do hereby permit the same upon the following conditions: - First that you do not encroach upon the Company’s ground, nor anyways to enlarge that formerly given by Agent Greenhill, nor must you rebuild higher or stronger than formerly… (P.C., vol. Xviii., May, 1692).”[20]          

Fr. Ephrem obtained necessary permission from the Governor Yale to rebuild the church of the Queen of the Angels. The “Open Pandall Chappell” which was almost in danger of falling, Frs. Ephrem and Michael of Anjou repaired and completely rebuilt in 1692.[21] During the French occupation of Madras, it was damaged and rebuilt in 1775 on a modest scale and enlarged in 1785. Dr. J. Fennelly in his letter to the Collector of Madras writes in 1842 that, “The Catholic Cathedral of Madras was built by the Capuchins in 1785 from the funds of their mission. Fr. Victor of Niort as the superior of the Capuchins in Madras (1768-1785) obtained necessary funds to erect this Church; he initiated the construction and Fr. Ferdinand of Alsace completed his work.[22] The Capuchins had inscribed on its gates the date 1642, this date is not the establishment of this church rather the foundation of the Capuchin Mission in Madras.[23]
St. Mary’s Church served as the Church of the Prefects of the Capuchin missions at Madras (1642-1834).[24] This Capuchin Prefecture was raised into the Vicar Apostolic of Madras in 1834 and to the Archiepiscopal See of Madras in 1886. Thus, the Church of the Capuchins, St. Mary of the Angels was raised to the dignity of a Cathedral. In 1952, the Archdiocese of Madras and the dioceses of Mylapore were amalgamated and formed the new Archdiocese of Madras-Mylapore with San Thome became the Cathedral of the new Archdiocese and the Cathedral of St. Mary of Angels[25] as the Co-Cathedral of the Archdiocese.


FR. John Bapist the last Prefect Apostolic of the Capuchin Mission  was  buried
in  this  church in 1843 and this inscription which is found here,
bears witness to that


         The Capuchins opened several mission stations in the north of Coovam River in the growing city of Madras, the English presidency. The Capuchins were the only missionaries were privileged to carry out their missionary work in Madras, the Anglican territory. The opening of many outstations signifies that they have converted many local people to the Christian fold. The foundations of these outstations are the big centres of Christianity in Madras, today. The Capuchin fathers received many Telugu Christians in the days of Tippu Sultan.[26]

3. Our Lady of Miracles, Veprey ( Today, St. Mathias CSI Church)

            Koja Petrus Uscan who belonged to an influential Armenian merchant community arrived in Madras from Manila in 1724.[27]  He was a merchant of diamonds and pearls. He bought a piece of land right in the middle of Vepery and built a chapel dedicated to Our Lady of Miracles in 1746.  A house was also built with a large garden and Uscan appointed the Capuchin fathers as the pastors to conduct the liturgy for the poor. Fr. Severini the Superior of the Capuchin mission was the priest in charge of the Chapel.
“After I expire, let my body be buried in the Chappel Nossa Senhora de Milagres, which I got erected at Viaparee.
Let 1,500 Pagodas be placed in the hands of the Superior, Padre Severini to finish the reminder work of the Chappel Nossa Senhora de Milagres (which I begun), and ornamenting the Same.
The Superior, Padre Severini, had bought a Ground distant from Madrass upon which I got the Chappel erected, and for which Chappel let 1,500 Pagodas more be placed in the hands of the said Superior to let them at interest, and with the interest thereof a dayly Mass to say for my Soul.
I gave Vipary and its Ground to Padre Severini to be his prayer Chappel, and no person on my part shall have power to govern them, and the same padre, being my first Executor, shall likewise take all the Money I kept for Vipare.

                Madras                                                                                                A True Translation
                9 Jan, 1750/1                                                      PHILLIPPUS AGAPEREY, Calandar.” [28]

The English Suspecting the Catholics in their fall to the French confiscated this church and gave to the Danish missionaries. Uscan protested against the government for he always remained loyal to the English.[29] He died on 19th January, 1750 and according to his desire he was interred in the Chapel of Our Lady of Miracles. He had a great love for his native home in Armenia and wished that his heart to be removed and buried in his birth place Julfa in Ispahan. Accordingly his heart was removed, placed in a golden casket and was buried in the church erected by his great grant father Khoja Petrus Velijanian.
            The Danish missionaries with the support of the English occupied this chapel on 24th November, 1752. They built a new church dedicated to St. Mathias in 1826 and the Uscan’s chapel of Our Lady of Miracles does not exit today. This is the famous S.P.C.K Vepery Mission and its headquarters in South India. It is here the Royal Danish Lutheran Mission and the German Lutheran missionaries of Tranquebar took its roots.

4. St. Andrew’s Church, Vepry

            Fr. Felix by different deeds from 1830 to 1832 obtained different plots of ground for the construction of a new Church.[30] Dr. Fennelly says that the Rev. Fr. Felix built St. Andrew’s Church at Vepry at his own expense. This Italian Capuchin built the Church dedicated to St. Andrew’s the apostle at Kalathiappa Mudali Street, Vepry in 1830. [31] This Church was erected in the honour of their first Church St. Andrew’s at the Fort, St. George which was demolished by the English.[32]  St. Andrew’s the first Church in Vepry, is one of the earliest Roman Catholic centres in Madras.

5. Church of St. Peter, Royapuram



6. The Church of Our Lady of Mercy, Periyapalayam

            The Capuchin Fathers developed the Church of Our Lady of Mercy at Periyapalyam to a pilgrimage centre.[33] Fr. Gregory Mary of Beno, superior of Capuchin missions in Madras took greater interest in developing this pilgrimage. By the initiative of the Capuchin Fathers the feast of Our Lady of Mercy was celebrated with great pomp and splendour in 1822.

7. St. Lazar Church ( Today, Queenship of Mary) Chintadripet

            Before the occupation of the French in 1758, the Capuchins had in the village of Chindadrepettah a little chapel.[34] Here, they kept a catechist, whose work was to prepare the people for the sacraments, to conduct morning and night prayers and to inform the priest of whatever it concerned them to know. The Capuchins frequently visited there few Catholics and cared their spiritual needs. There was no resident priest and people had to go the Church of the Capuchins at Armenian Street.

8. Mater Dolorosa Church, Royapuram

            Fr. Gregory Mary de Bear, superior of the Madras Capuchin Church obtained 22 grounds and 1915 ½ square feet on 1st May 1830.[35] It also had a house and 17 1/2 hectares of vegetables of yielding.
                                                                      Monday, 28th December 1832
I. Daniel Esq, Acting collector, Madras,
Sir,
               I have the honour to acknowledge the recipient of your letter of the 27th Instant and to inform you in reply that the chapel at Royapuram of Branch of Capuchin Mission at Madras by which it is supported and assisted by some charitable persons and that in has no exclusively sum of its own.
               Agreeably to your desire I beg time to approve the sale deed of the Chapel construction.
                                                                                              I have the honour to be Sir,
                                                                              Your most and obedient and humble servant
                                                                                              Fr. Gregory Mary de Bear
                                                                                              Superior of the Capuchin Church.[36]

Fr. Gregory Mary de Bear obtained permission from the acting collector of Madras to construct a church dedicated Mater Dolorosa at Royapuram in 1832.

9. Church of the Purification of Blessed Virgin Mary
( Today, Our Lady of Presentation), Royapettai

           The Capuchins had a chapel at Chepauk, the northern portion of Triplicane, extending from the sea to the Mount Road, the Church stood some 300 yards east of the Amir Mahal. When they were sent out of St. Geroge Fort, they were placed here by the Fort authorities.[39]
   The Church of Royapettah dedicated to the Purification of Blessed Virgin Mary existed from 1769 with a plot of land measuring 21 grounds.[37] It must have been a modest chapel. Nawab A Zeen-ood Ameer-oll Wallajah signed the donation bond of the ground on 28th October 1813. The new Church was commenced under the Capuchins in 1820 by public subscriptions but due to some misunderstandings, it was discontinued and finally completed by public subscriptions 1848.

10. Church of St. Anthony of Padua, Pudupet

The Capuchin Fathers ministered the needs of the people of Pudupet from 1642-1832. They ministered to the people before the erection of Pudupet parish.[38]

11. Church of St. Roch,  Washermenpet

            The Capuchins got 1 cawnie (fhzp), 20 grounds and 1284 sq.ft at Washermentpet from Mr. Francisco of Silva on 03-11-1810.[41] Prior to this a cemetery was built in December 1776 for Catholics and formally registered on 28th June 1814.[42] In the same year, a chapel was built in the cemetery to meet the pastoral needs of the local people working in the harbour, and in the factories of North Madras.

 12. Church of St. Francis of Assisi, Wallajabad

There was a ruined and dilapidated chapel of St. Francis of Assisi at Wallajabad was under the care of the Capuchin mission.[43]

13.  Church of St. George , Madahvaram
The Capuchin Fathers at Madhavarm obtained 10.33 acres of land on 12th March 1830 to build a Church in honour of St. George.[44]


14. Church of St. Anthony of Padua
(Toady, Mother Teresa Sisters Tamil Nadu Regional House), Royapuram

15. Pulicat

            Pulicat was a place of refugee for the Capuchins, for whenever they had difficulties in Madras, they sought refugee here. When the English expelled the Capuchins from Madras Fr. Severini along with the orphans stayed here for a few years (1756-59).[40] Again when the French attempted to capture Madras, the Capuchins were asked to leave, hence they went and stayed at Pulicat. Certainly, they might had a temporary chapel and engaged in missionary activities but no direct docments are available.


16.  Other Mission Stations

            The Capuchins built a chapel deicated to St. Roch’s at Monegar Choultry[45] and Mackey’s Garden, were the other mission stations of the Capuchin Fathers.[46] Like the other out stations, here also catechists were kept to instruct and prepare the faithful for the sacraments. They also collected the people to recite morning and night prayers.
            It was said that when the English expelled the Capuchins from the fort in 1749 after the French occupation, they resided in the Luz Church of the Observant Franciscans. Meersamn is very clear that the Capuchins did not occupy the Luz Church but most probably a place in Chepauk.[47]


Fr. A. Thainis OFM. Cap.,
[1] Arulappa, 19.
[2] Here and the following, Love H.D, 46.
[3] Here and the following, J. Talboys Wheeler, Madras in the Olden Time, Madras: Asian Educational Services, 1993, 151.
[4] Here and the following, Peter Celestine, 116. Cf.  Joseph Thekkedath, 208.
[5] Norbert Wolf, 17.
[6] Peter Celestine, 116.
[7] Love H.D, vol., ii, 50.
[8] Here and the following, Joseph Thekkedath, 146.
[9] Arullappa, 19. St. Andrews was erected under Cogan’s orders of the 8th June, 1642. Cf. Love H.D, 44f; The Capuchins build St. Andrews, the first church in Madras in the Fort in 1642. Cf. S. Muthiah, Rediscovered, 414. This Capuchin chapel was sited approximatly between what is now called Fort House by the Army and the towering new block in Portuguese Squre. This was the site Cogan had granted Father Ephrem de Nevers in 1642. Cf. S. Muthiah, Rediscovered, 38.
[10] Here and the following, Mundan, 43.
[11] Here and the following, Peter Celestine, 102 & 114.
[12] S. Muthiah, “The Portuguese reminder”.
[13] S. Muthiah, “The Early Capuchins”, The Hindu, vol., no., Monday, Chennai: April 03, 2006.
[14] Love H.D, vol., ii, 19.
[15] Here and the following, J. Talboys Wheeler, 46f.
[16] Here and the following, Peter Celestine, 115.
[17] Here and the following, Love H.D, ii, 45.
[18] This is called the Capuchin Church of the Assumption of Our Lady or St. Mary of Angels. This is built in the heart of George Town, the Portuguese quarters. This church is one of the existing monuments of the zealous Capuchin mission, in Armenian street. Cf. S. Muthiah, “The Portuguese Reminder”.
[19] The place of this Capuchin church is known in different names in different times that, The church of Parayars at Parchery in the northern part of Paddanaikpetta or the church at the Black Town or the church at Muthailpettah, or the Portuguese church or the church at Armenian Street, Geroge Town or the Irish Cathedral and today it is also known as the Shrine of St. Anthony.
[20] Here and the following, Cf. Love H.D, ii, 45f.
[21] Here and the following, Arulappa, 19 & 47.
[22] Peter Celestine, 128f.
[23] Love H.D, ii, 465. Cf. S. Muthiah, 331f.
[24] Here and the folleoing, Arulappa, 184.
[25] The origins of the Cathedral go back to 1658 when Fr. Ephrem de Nevers was granted the ground here by government to build a second church for his flock. The records state he put up the ‘open pandall chappell’ on this site that year. This structure, decaying in the 1690s, was rebuilt in 1692. Damaged during the second French siege, it was rebuilt in 1775 and enlarged in 1785. The Capuchins had inscribed on its gates the date 1642, the year of their church in Madras, and that date has been preserved at the Cathedral’s entrance and refers to the establishment of a cemetery here. The church was reconstructed in 1837, altered in 1857 and further improvements went on till 1931. Cf. S. Muthiah, Rediscovered, 331f.
[26] Christopher O’ Mahony, Church History A Summary, voi.ii, Alwaye: Pontifical Institute of Theology and Philosphy, 1987, 294.
[27] Here and the following, David Packiamuthu, 106.
[28] Here and the following, Cf. Love H.D. ii, 467f.
[29] Here and the following, David Packiamuthu, 111-116.
[30] Here and the following, Arulappa, 21& 48
[31] Peter Thumma, 162.
[32] Here and the following, S. Muthiah, Madras Rediscovered, Chennai: East West Books (Madras) Pvt. Ltd, 2004, 332.
[33] Here and the following, Arulappa, 208.
[34] Here and the following, Ibid., 249.
[35] Here and the following, Balaswamy L, Centenary Souvenir (1902-2002), Chennai: Mater Dolorosa Church, 2003, 39-41. (The letters of Fr. Gregory Mary de Bear, Superior of the Capuchin Church, Madras, dated 12 March, 27 & 28 December, 1832; 2 & 3 January and 28 March, 1833 are published).
[36] Ibid,
[37] Here and the following, Arulappa, 20.
[38] Ibid, 236, Cf. Peter Thumma, 133.
[39] Here and the following, Love H.D, ii, 397 & 404.
[40] Here and the following, Peter Celestine, 122 & 126.
[41] Ibid., 21.
[42] Here and the following, Peter Thumma, 167.
[43] Arulappa, 268.
[44] Ibid., 21
[45] Ibid., 48.
[46] Ibid., 21.
[47] Achilles Meersman, 378.

The First English School in India

Fr. Ephrem de Nevers OFM. Cap (1603-1695) - The Founder of the First English School

            Fr. Ephrem de Nevers was kind, gentle and polite to every one. His fatherly affection drew children to him, he taught them music and catechism.[1] His love for them moved him ahead to open a public school. They were mostly English speaking children[2] and it was opened in 1642 within his residence of St. Andrews in the Fort of St. George.[3] Prior toMadras the English had a factory at Masulipatnam (Andhra) in 1619 but it was in Madras they started to make their settlements from 1639.[4] The English even did not have an idea at such an early date to open a school for their children.[5] Mgr. A. Pereira Andrade had affirmed that this is the FirstEnglish School in India.[6] Thus Fr. Ephrem de Nevers, a French Capuchin Priest is credited to open the first English school for the English speaking children in the Indian soil. Santa Fe in 1540 was the First Christian School to be founded in Goa, India[7] and it was most probably a Portuguese school.

Fr. Ephrem – The Father of Education in India

            Today, English medium has become supreme and every one loves to speak in English, the founder of the English school in India is a French Capuchin priest Ven. Fr. Ephrem de Nevers. He opened the first English school in India and it functioned at his priestly quarters in 1642, St. George Fort, Madras.[8] He also had another school and taught Tamil, Portuguese and Latin to the students. This French Capuchin missionary was a true visionary in his mission field.
                                                                           - Fr. A. Thainis, OFM.Cap.,
                   
[1] Here and the following, Daniel D’Souza, 23.
[2] Srinivasachari, History of the city of Madras, Madras: P Varndacary & Co, 1939, 22f.
[3] Arulappa, 20. Peter Celestine, 104. S. Muthiah, 31&332.
[4] Majumdar, 637f.
[5] Arulappa, 20.
[6] Peter Celestine, 104.
[7] Donald H.R. De Souza (ed.), “Eighth General Body Meeting (Vailakanni), The Catholic Council ofIndia, January 6-8, 2006,” NewDelhi: CBCI Centre, 2006, 48.
[8] Arulappa, 20.

The First Church in Madras

St. Andrews' Church (1642-1752), at St. George Fort, Chennai

Fr. Ephrem de Nevers OFM.Cap., dedicates the First Church of Madras to St. Andrews’

            Fr. Ephrem built a Church, dedicated to St. Andrew the apostle in 1642 and it was made of a timber shed.[1] Catholics were privileged to have built the first Church in St. George which was a non-Catholic fort.[2] It was an indication of the broad and tolerant spirit of the East India Company at the time that they allowed to erect a Catholic Church even before an Anglican Church was built. Fr. Ephrem conducted all the religious ceremonies in this Church.[3] Since the Portuguese priests knew no English or Tamil, the English, the Irish and the Tamil Catholics always came to St. Andrew’s Church because Fr. Ephrem was a linguist. Love H.D says that it was also called Portuguese Church, because the majority of the people who attended it were Portuguese and the homilies were mostly in Portuguese. Besides the Catholic worship at St. Andrew’s, even other denominations of Christians held their worship at different times.[4]
            After 33 years, the Capuchins under the supervision Fr. Ephrem replaced the timber shed church in 1675 with a magnificent, handsome and fabulous Church.[5] On the day of consecration, the English Governor Sir WilliamLanghore ordered a salute of great guns from the fort and 3 volleys of small shots by all the soldiers in the garrison.[6] The Protestants were very much displeased with the generosity and kindness of the Governor towards the Catholics at the consecration of St. Andrew’s Church.[7] So, they complained to the Court of Directors of the East India Company in London, about Sir William Langhoreliberality towards the Catholics. The Court of Directors too expressed displeasure at his conduct and recalled him in 1677. [8] The first Church of Madras and of the Capuchins was destroyed by the English in 1752.

The French at St George Fort
            A British squadron of four vessels was sent out to India and arrived atMadras in 1745.[9] The British commander prepared to attack Pondicherry. The French were unfit to withstand a siege and the French Governor Duplex atPondicherry persuaded the Nawab of the Carnatic to forbid hostilities within his dominions. Therefore the English withdrew. Meanwhile the French under La Bourdonnais bombarded St. George Fort and captured Madras on 7th September 1746.[10] The Admiral De La Bourdonnais entered the St. George Fort and first went to the Capuchin Church to celebrate the French victory, a ‘Te Deum’ was sung.[11] This event of jubilation in the church of St. Andrew’s induced the English to take action against the Capuchins, when they returned to Madras in 1749.[12]
            The French had achieved a great and unexpected success in capturingMadras.[13] But this victory was spoilt by the quarrel that immediately ensued between the Governor Duplex and the Admiral La Bourdonnais over the share of the profits. The Admiral sailed to France, while Duplix seized and plunderedMadras. In mid-1748 British fleet under Boscaven captured French Pondicherry. The French commander, who promised to protect the missionaries and their institutions, soon destroyed a great part of Black Town to improve the defence ofMadras.[14] Capuchin Father Severini in charge of Vepry chapel retied to Pulicat, while another Capuchin Father Renatus did not go to Pulicat but remained in the Fort and became the Superior of the Capuchin mission. The treaty of Air-La-Chapelle in 1748 restored Madras restored to the British in exchange for Louis berg.[15]

The Re-establishment of the English at St. George Fort
            The English returned to the Fort St. George after three years by August, 1749.[16] The English suspected the Capuchins and the Roman Catholics for their fall to the French. When the English found enough evidences of treachery, they wanted to confiscate the properties of Catholics and expel the guilty from the Fort. The Capuchins were also under suspicion of a dubious part therefore the Court of Directors in London ordered to expel them from St. George, Fort.
       
Expulsion of the Capuchins from St. George Fort
            The East India English Company suspected the Capuchins of giving the French intelligence of the strength and condition of the Garrison before the attack of Madras. The Court of Directors in London issued an order to the English governer in Madras to expel the Capuchins and the Roman Catholics from St. Geroge Fort.
“Having suffered greatly by the Number of Priests and Popish Inhabitants at Madrass, who have acted a very Treacherous Part to Us continually in that place, especially when it was attacked, therefore We strictly forbid your suffering any Romish Church within Our Bounds, Or any of their Priests to dwell among you, or that Religion to be openly professed. And in case any Papists have crept into places of Trust in Our Service, they must be immediately dismissed. You are not to deem this Order to affect the Armenians of the Greek Persuasion (P. from Eng., vol. Li., 27th Jan., 1747 [1748]).” [17]

The new English Admiral Boscawen expelled the Capuchin Frs. Severiniand Victor and the Catholics from the Fort.[18] While Fr. Rene whom the English accused as guilty departed him to Lisbon. The Capuchins moved to a small house in the cemetery in the Armenian street.

Confiscation of the Catholic Churches
       
The Humble Petition of Father Severini of Savoy and of Father Bernard likewise of Savoy, Capuchins of the Order of St. Francis, Apostolick Missionaries at Madras, performing the Curial Office in the Portuguese Church there…having received Intimation the 13th November 1749…that the Honourable East India Compasny does take poession of the said Portuguese Church…likewise of a Chappel and Habitation situvated to the West Madrass called Vepour; and that they and other Roman Catholicks must depart the White Town with their Effects and Appurtenances within One week from that notice;
                ….But as they must be extremely Embarrass’d to Remove in so short a time….have been Collecting for the Space of 107 Years past, the Duration of this Church in Madras; Your Petitioners do Humbly beg your Honour, &c., to prolong the Term…(F. St. D. Cons., vol. Xvii., 16thNov., 1749).[19]

The Capuchins who had been directed to hand over St. Andrew’s Church by the 20th November 1749 and they asked for more time and an extension until 1st December was granted. The English as a part of penal measures against the Roman Catholics, decided to confiscate the Vepery chapel, Our Lady of Miracles, its house and garden.[20] An Armenian merchant Peter Woskan, in which he wanted to be interred, newly built it.[21]Since a Capuchin priest Sevirini was in charge of the chapel, the English must have thought that it was a Roman Catholic property.[22] Peter Woskan chapel was confiscated and handed over to the Lutheran missionaries.[23] Everybody in Madras knew that the confiscation of this chapel was illegal for Woskan always remained loyal to the English Company. Moreover the land belonged to the Capuchin Father Severini, who had always remained loyal throughout to the English.
                   
Demolition of St. Andrews Church, St. Geroge Fort
The Court of Directors in England issued an order to demolish St. Andrewsthe Church of the Capuchins.
The Situation of a Roman Catholic Church in the very Heart of our Settlement has been very injurious to us; and, if continued…. You are therefore, immediately on the Receipt of this, without fail to demolish the Portuguese Church in the White town at Madrass, and not suffer it to stand on Pretence of setting the Danish Missionaries in it, its usefulness for Warehouses, Storehouses, or any other Purposes Whatsoever (P. from Eng., vol.lv., 23rd Aug., 1751).[24]

When Thomas Saunders took charge of the administration of Fort St. George (1752-1755), he pulled down St. Andrew’s Church, built through the long and strenuous efforts of the Capuchins. [25]   The English wanted to pull down St. Andrew’s because during the occupation, the French misused and bombarded St. Mary’s Church of the Anglicans. St. Andrew’s Church was completely destroyed on 5th July 1752.[26] The Capuchins were expelled from the Fort of St. George and permitted to carry away the materials of the demolished Church and were also given the bells which later on they used St. Mary’s Church.[27] Thus, the firstChurch of Old Madras a rich historical monument disappeared from the soil of Madras.
                                                          Fr. A. Thainis, OFM.Cap.,
[1] Arullappa, 19. St. Andrews was erected under Cogan’s orders of the 8th June, 1642. Cf. Love H.D, 44f; The Capuchins build St. Andrews, the first church in Madras in the Fort in 1642. Cf. S. Muthiah, Rediscovered, 414. This Capuchin chapel was sited approximatly between what is now called Fort House by the Army and the towering new block in Portuguese Squre. This was the site Cogan had granted Father Ephrem de Nevers in 1642. Cf. S. Muthiah, Rediscovered, 38.
[2] Here and the following, Mundan, 43.
[3] Here and the following, Peter Celestine, 102 & 114.
[4] S. Muthiah, “The Portuguese reminder”.
[5] S. Muthiah, “The Early Capuchins”, The Hindu, vol., no., Monday, Chennai: April 03, 2006.
[6] Love H.D, vol., ii, 19.
[7] Here and the following, J. Talboys Wheeler, 46f.
[8] Here and the following, Peter Celestine, 115.
[9] Here and the following, S. Reed Brett, A History of the British Empire, London: Thomas Nelson and Sons Ltd, 1941, 149.
[10] Peter Celestine, 121.
[11] Love H.D, vol., ii, 366.
[12] Peter Celestine, 122.
[13] Here and the following, Percival Spear, The Oxford History of Modern India 1740-1975, Delhi: Oxford University Press, 1977, 15.
[14] David Packiamuthu, 102f.
[15] Reed Brett, 150.
[16] Here and the following, David Packiamuthu, “The Beginnings of Protestant Missions in Madras,” ICHR, vol., xxxiv, no., 2, December 2000, 103.
[17] Here and the following, Cf. Love H.D, ii, 396-397.
[18] Here and the following, Peter Celestine, 123.
[19] Here and the following, Love H.D, ii, 403.
[20] David Packiamuth, 106.
[21] Hambye, 149.
[22] David Packiamuth, 106.
[23] Hambye, 149. See also. David Packiamuthu, 107.
[24] Love H.D, ii, 426.
[25] Here and the following, S. Muthiah, “A Portuguese reminder”
[26] Peter Celestine, 124.
[27] Arulappa, 19.

Chronology - Madras Capuchin Mission 1642-1834


1639  - The arrival of English to Madras.
          - The foundation of city of Madras.
1642  - The arrival of Fr. Ephrem de Nevers OFM.Cap, and the establishment of the
            Capuchin Mission in Madras.
- The First Church of Madras dedicated to St. Andrews is built in the walls of St.   George.
- The First English School in India by Fr. Ephrem de Nevers in the presbytery of St. Andrews.
- Madras was created as an Apostolic Prefecture and Fr. Ephrem de Nevers was appointed the First Prefect Apostolic of Madras by Pope Urban VIII.
1649  - Arrest of Fr. Ephrem by the Padroado clergy in Mylapore.
1650  - Fr. Ephrem was under the Portuguese inquisition in Goa.
          - Fr. Zeno OFM.Cap., at Madras.
1652  - The release of Fr. Ephrem.
1653  - Fr. Ephrem back to Madras.
1658  - Fr. Ephrem built the Second church of the Capuchins, St. Mary of the Angels at Armenian Street, Black Town.
1663  - Mgr. F. Pallu Vicar Apostolic of Tonkin in China confirmed 3000 Catholics in
            Madras.
1675  - The Capuchins replaced St. Andrews with a magnificent church.
1680  - The Church of St. Mary of the Anglicans is built in the Fort.
1687  - Fr. Zeno died.
1695  - The death of Venerable Father Ephrem de Nevers, the founder of the Madras
            Mission.
1746  - The French captured Madras.
          - Foundation of an orphanage by the Capuchins.
1749  - The English returned to Madras.
          - The expulsion of the Capuchins from the Fort of St. George.
1752  - The English demolished the First church of Madras, St. Andrews in the Fort.
1758  - A chapel built at Chindadrepettah.
1769  - A church built at Royapettah.
1772  - The Madras Capuchin Prefecture under the Episcopal See of Mylapore.
1785  - Fr. Victor of Niort OFM.Cap rebuilt and enlarged the church of St. Mary of the Angels.
1792  - French revolution affected the flow of the Capuchin missionaries of French
          Province of Tours to Madras.
1814  - A church built at Washermenpet.
1819  - Mgr. Peter Alcantra OCD Vicar Apostolic visited the Capuchins in Madras to
            reorganize the mission.
1822  - Fr. Gregory Mary of Beno OFM.Cap., developed Periyapalayam into a
          Pilgrimage centre.
1830  - Fr. Felix an Italian Capuchin built a church at Vepry, dedicated to St. Andrews.
          - A church dedicated to St. George is built at Madhavarm.
1834  - Madras Capuchin Apostolic Prefecture transferred to the Irish Augustinians.
          - The end of Capuchin Mission in Madras and 202 years of Capuchin missionary presence in Tamilnadu.

Chronology of the Capuchin mission in Pondicherry (1632-1828)


1632  - The first batch of six French Capuchins arrived at Pondicherry with the French traders.
1634 - The French closed its sea – agency and the Capuchins too leave Pondicherry.
1642  - The second batch of Capuchins arrived at Pondicherry but leave soon.
1673  - The third batch of Capuchins arrived at Pondicherry with the French Settlers.
          - François Martin founded the City of Pondicherry.
          - He invited officially the French Capuchins the apostolic missionaries of Madras, the city of British to Pondicherry for the spiritual ministry and the missionary activity.
1674  - Fr, Cosmos De Gien founded the Capuchin mission in Pondicherry.
1686  - Frs. Jacques of Bourges, Lawrence of Angouleme and Spiritus of Tours arrived.
          - The Capuchins built the First Church of Pondicherry dedicated to St. Peter (Lazer) by the finanicial assistence of Thanappa Mudaliar @ Lazar de Motta a local Christian leader of the Tamil Christian community.
1689  - The French Jesuits’ mission failed in Siam and came to Pondicherry.
1690  - The Capuchins opened the mission stations of Alambarve, Karayampuly, MaraKanam,Cuddalore, Manjakupam and Kadapakam.
1693  - The Dutch captured Pondicherry and expelled the missionaries.
1699  - The missionaries returned.
          - Pondicherry Tamil Christian community was constituted as a parish under the diocese of Mylapore. Fr. Jacques de Bourges OFM.Cap was appointed the first Parish Priest of Pondicherry.
          - Within few months, the Jesuits were appointed exclusively to the Tamils and The Capuchins became in charge of the Europeans and the Eurasians.
1703    -Francois Marie de Tours went to Rome to present the controversy of Malabar
             rites  and the rights of the Capuchin missionary work among the Tamils to Propaganda Fide.
1704    - Cardinal Mailard de Tournon the Roman Legate condemned the Malabar rites.
1706  - Pondicherry Capuchins in the mission of Chandernagore, West Bengal.
1709  - The first church of the Capuchins dedicated to Our Lady of the Queen of the Angels was built.
1732  - Fr. Thomas of Poitiers opened a new mission among the tribals near Chittor.
1737  - Karaikal became a mission station of the Pondicherry Capuchins.
1738 - The Capuchin church of the Queen of the Angels became a parish in the diocese of Mylapore.
1750    - Capuchins of Pondicherry in Coastal Andhra.
1776  - Fr. Sebastian of Nevers OFM.Cap, was appointed as the Prefect Apostolic over the Europeans and the Eurasians in Pondicherry.
1792  - French Revolution affected the development of the Capuchin Prefecture.
- Fr. Benedictus of Monterotundo the last Prefect Apostolic of the Capuchin
          Prefecture.
1811  - The end of Missionary labour of the French Capuchins of the Province of Tours.
          - The arrival of the Italian Capuchins in Pondicherry to continue the Mission.
1828  - Apostolic Prefecture of the Capuchins transferred to the Holy Spirit Fathers.
          - The end of Capuchin mission in Pondicherry.

First Tamil-French Dictionary by Dominique OFM.Cap


Fr. Dominique de Valence (1696-1778) a French Capuchin was an apostolic missionary to the East. He Came to Pondicherry a Tamil region, the first mission of the Capuchins in India. He came here around 1720s and ministered among the French and Tamils. He was a man of intellect and vision oriented. The French Capuchins struggled a lot to learn Tamil, the local language. Because of this they were humiliated and the new missionaries the French Jesuits mastered Tamil as soon as possible and replaced the Capuchins in most of the Tamil missions.  Thus, the Capuchins became the only care-takers of the French Christians.

         Therefore he wanted his friars to learn the language properly and get into the mission actively. There were also few Capuchin missionaries namely, Spiritus de Tours & Thomas de Poiteurs mastered Tamil and carried out a wonderful evengelization. He earned their cooperation and Tamil scholars, compiled for the first time a Tamil-French dictionary. This was a manuscript "Dictionarie et Grammaire François Tamool [ French Tamil Dictionary and Grammar]. This Dictionary contains 12,450 entries alphabetically changed with their Tamil equivalents. This was a great help to the French missionaries and all Tamils who were in contact with them. He must be acclaimed the Father of French-Tamil Dictionary.

         Fr. Dominique de Valence was appointed the head of the Capuchin Mission in Pondicherry in 1731. This mission under his able guidence flourished in all levels. He was the first mission superior to found a Christian mission in Karikal in 1740. He as Superior assisted Fr. Norbert OFM.Cap, to bring the Sisters of Urusilne in 1738 to Pondicherry for the education of French Children. Around in his time, the Capuchins, founded the First French School in Pondicherry. He renovated St. Peter (Lazer) the first church of Pondicherry in 1737, which was built by the Capuchins in 1686 by the finiancial assistence of Thanappa Mudaliar. He Served as Mission Superior till 1745 and the mission witnessed a tremendous growth. 

The Zealous Capuchin Missionaries in Pondicherry

The Zealous Capuchins
          Pondicherry was restored from the Dutch to the French after six years in 1699 by the treaty of Ryswick.[1] The missionaries too soon returned to assume their spiritual charges and it was the Capuchins who first returned to Pondicherry. The three famous Capuchin missionaries Frs. Jacques, Lawrence, Spiritus and a lay brother returned to their former mission and laid a strong foundation of a flourishing Christian community of Poor and Rich, Parayars and Brahmins, Hindus and Europeans.[2] Before they could come to Pondicherry from Madras, these Capuchins met the Bishop of Mylapore and got appointed Fr. Jacques as Cure of the Native church at Pondicherry.[3] The Jesuits resented to this and influenced François Martin to protest against it for this appointment was done without his knowledge. The Bishop of Mylapore withdrew his order of appointing Fr. Jacques OFM.Cap in charge of the Tamil Christians and in return Fr. FrancoisDolu S.J was appointed. It was the first time that the bishop of Mylapore appointed officially a parish priest over the Tamil congregation at Pondicherry.[4] 
            The zealous Capuchins were disappointed of their deprival of the pastoral care of the Indian Catholics.[5] They had devoted themselves since the foundation of Pondicherry to the welfare of all Catholics irrespective of their origin. They desired to evangelize the Tamil community but they became mere care takers of Europeans, Eurasians and Europeanized Indians. The Capuchin missionaries repeatedly tried to re-assume their mission among the natives. They sent François-Marie de Tours even to Rome in 1702 to plead for their rights over the local Christians. 

The Apostle of Malabaris
            Fr. Spiritus of Tours (+1738), came to Pondicherry in 1686 to assist Fr. Cosmos de Gien the founder of the Pondicherry mission.[6] He was a man of enormous talents and was a great linguistic like Fr. Ephrem de Nevers OFM.Cap (+1695), the founder of the Madras mission. Fr. Spriritus could speak and write French, English, Portuguese and Tamil fluently.[7] He mastered Tamil and worked among the Tamil Christian community with great fervour and unquenching desire. He too adopted the customs and manners of Tamils which was then known as Malabar-rites.[8] He converted many Malabaris to the Christian fold and led the liturgy in the light of Tamil culture.[9] His great work among the Natives had won the name of “The Apostle of Malabaris” This humble Capuchin Fr. Spiritus of Tours aged 83 years died on January 3, 1738.

A Missionary to the Tribals
            Another zealous Capuchin missionary in this mission was Fr. Thomas ofPoitiers (+1742). He first came to Surat and served as pro-vicar to the Vicar Apostolic of Great Mogul.[10] Fr. Thomas an excellent missionary with a great vision was appointed the superior of the Capuchin mission in Pondicherry.[11] He travelled 60 miles from Pondicherry to a mountainous region called Palleagaersand opened a new mission among the tribals near Chittor (Andhra) in 1732.[12]
The people in Palleagaers worshipped nature; Thomas equipped himself in their dialect and became one among them.[13] He taught them about Christ and converted the whole tribe of Palleagaers to Christianity and built a church dedicated to Our Lady of the Angels. He worked among them for more than ten years and established three missions called the mission of Palleagares. It was a more successful mission but it was closed down due to lack of personal. He had the privilege of serving in all the three South Indian Capuchin missions of Madras, Pondicherry and Surat. Having been a successful missionary Fr. Thomas of Poitiers died in the month of February 1742, inMadras.[14]   


The Father of French-Tamil Dictionary

         Fr. Dominique de Valence (1696-1778) a French Capuchin was an apostolic missionary to the East. He Came to Pondicherry a Tamil region, the first mission of the Capuchins in India. He came here around 1720s and ministered among the French and Tamils. He was a man of intellect and vision oriented. The French Capuchins struggled a lot to learn Tamil, the local language. Because of this they were humiliated and the new missionaries the French Jesuits mastered Tamil as soon as possible and replaced the Capuchins in most of the Tamil missions.  Thus, the Capuchins became the only care-takers of the French Christians. 

         Therefore he wanted his friars to learn the language properly and get into the mission actively. There were also few Capuchin missionaries namely, Spiritus de Tours & Thomas de Poiteurs mastered Tamil and carried out a wonderful evengelization. He earned their cooperation and Tamil scholars, compiled for the first time a Tamil-French dictionary. This was a manuscript "Dictionarie et Grammaire François Tamool [ French Tamil Dictionary and Grammar]. This Dictionary contains 12,450 entries alphabetically changed with their Tamil equivalents. This was a great help to the French missionaries and all Tamils who were in contact with them. He must be acclaimed the Father of French-Tamil Dictionary.

         Fr. Dominique de Valence was appointed the head of the Capuchin Mission in Pondicherry in 1731. This mission under his able guidence flourished in all levels. He was the first mission superior to found a Christian mission in Karikal in 1740. He as Superior assisted Fr. Norbert OFM.Cap, to bring the Sisters of Urusilne in 1738 to Pondicherry for the education of French Children. Around in his time, the Capuchins, founded the First French School in Pondicherry. He renovated St. Peter (Lazer) the first church of Pondicherry in 1737, which was built by the Capuchins in 1686 by the finiancial assistence of Thanappa Mudaliar. He Served as Mission Superior till 1745 and the mission witnessed a tremendous growth. 



Capuchin Contributions to Pondicherry Mission
The Social Concerns
            The Brahmins the main beneficiaries of the caste system continued to enjoy superior powers under the French rule.[1] François Martin the founder ofPondicherry was very clear and asked the missionaries never to harm theBrahminical structure.[2] The French tolerated the caste system for their smooth administration. The French missionaries achieved a remarkable success in converting the natives and Christian became second in population in the settlements.[3] The converted Christians carried along with them certain Hindu customs and religious rites. These Christians carried with them not only the Hindu customs but also the caste distinctions. The Capuchins severely criticized as pagan attitudes and protested against such conversions at several times.[4]

 Education
The Capuchins had the privilege of founding the first school in Pondicherryand it was of a parish-school, where religious instructions were obviously imparted.[5] The French did not have a French school for their girls and this concern was fulfilled by the Capuchins.[6] They took initiative and invited threeUrsuline sisters from Vannes, in French Brittany. They arrived on September 8, 1738 at Pondicherry and as soon as their arrival they opened a school. The sisters had to face some administrative difficulties with the French government therefore they closed down the school.

Acts of Charity
The Capuchins were in charge of a hospital of the French company and an inn for the travellers to rest and relax.[7] Duplex’s wife Jeanne her love for the poor moved to open a small leper asylum without any social or religious distinction.[8] The Capuchin Fathers were the supervisors and appointed one of their catechists as manager of the asylum. [9]

THE LIST OF CAPUCHIN MISSIONARIES IN PONDICHERRYMISSION (1632-1828)

1.            Fr. Cosmas of Gien
2.            Fr. Jacques of Bourges
3.            Fr. Lorenzo of Angouleme
4.            Fr. Spiritus of Tours (+ 3rd Jan, 1738)
5.            Fra. Michel Angleo of Borgogna
6.            Fr. Francis Maria of Tours
7.            Fr. Norbert De Bar-Le-Duc
8.            Fr. Giambattiata of Orleans (+ 16th July, 1721)
9.            Fr. Thomas of Poitiers (+ 1742)
10.         Fr. Eutropio of Samnur (+ 22nd Feb, 1742)
11.         Fr. Francisco of Samnur (+ 23rd Sep, 1752)
12.         Fr. Michele of Ledignon (+ 19th June, 1737)
13.         Fr. Cristomo of Longuion (03rd Mar, 1737)
14.         Fr. Alessandro of Chateller (06th July, 1738)
15.         Fr. Andrea of Orleans (05th June, 1741)
16.         Fr. Ireneo of Normandia (23rd July, 1743)
17.         Fr. Fidele (+ 11th June, 1747)
18.         Fr. Gian Cristostomo of Castel Sarazin (16th April, 1748)
19.         Fr. Ippolito of Vallars (22nd Oct, 1748)
20.         Fr. Bonaventura of Bourges (02nd Dec, 1750)
21.         Fr. Lorenzo of Coutance (19th Aug, 1754)
22.         Fr. Atanario of Montfort (04th Nov, 1759)
23.         Fr. Francisco Felice of Pinerolr (23rd Mar, 1760)
24.         Fr. Terzorio (12th Dec, 1789)
25.         Fr. Sebastian of Nevers
26.         Fr. Victor of Niort
27.         Fr. Mansueto of Pintin
28.         Fr. John Baptist of Bergamo
29.         Fr. Bonaventure of Foligno
30.         Fr. Donatus of Aurelianesis
31.         Fr. Hilarius of Pictaviensis
32.         Fr. Damasus of Oleron
33.         Fr. Benedictus of Monterotundo
34.         Fr. Honoratus of Utino
35.         Fr. Augustus of Auvergne
36.         Fr. John Baptist of S. Romulo
37.         Fr. Laurentius of Tabia
38.         Fr. Augustinus of Neuffontaines
39.         Fr. Eustachius of Forosempronio
40.         Fr. Petrus Benedictus of Filottrano
41.         Fr. John Fidelis of Cuneo
42.         Fr. Filibertus of Ceva
43.         Fr. Felice of Montecchio}Italian
44.         Fr. Giuseppe of Ascoli   } Italian
                                                                                - Fr. A. Thainis, OFM.Cap.,
                                                                                   

[1] Ramasamy, 206.
[2] Madanakalyani, 90.
[3] Here and the following, Ramasamy, 209.
[4] Madanakalyani, 83.
[5] Hambye, 176.
[6] Here and the following, Madanakalyani, 90.
[7] Madanakalyani, 89f.
[8] Here and the following, Hambye, 177.
[9] Sampathkumar, 11.


[1] Here and the following, Joseph Thekkedath, 200.
[2] Lucius, 24.
[3] Here and the following, Peter Celestine, 22f.
[4] Hambye, 171.
[5] Here and the following, Ibid, 171f.
[6] Lucius, 23.
[7] Peter Celestine, 24.
[8] Lucius, 23.
[9]  Here and the following, Peter Celestine, 24f.
[10] Ibid, 119.
[11] Here and the following, Collectiona Franciscana, 281.
[12] Sampath Kumar, 11.
[13] Here and the following, Collectiona Franciscana, 281.
[14] Humbert, Catholic Bombay, vol., i, Bombay: Catholic Press, 1964, 145.

Capuchin Mission stations in Pondicherry Mission

Capuchin Mission stations in Pondicherry Mission

Missions among the Tamils
The first arrival of the Franciscan Capuchins to India was Pondicherry in 1632. Capuchins were the very first missionaries to Pondicherry. Though they came for the spiritual animation of  the French trders, steped into evenzelization too. The first mission came to an end within two years in 1634. When François  Martin founded the city of Pondicherry in 1673, he invited the French Capuchins from Madras for the spiritual animation of the French and for the evengelization of Tamils. Fr. Cosmos de Gien founded the Capuchin mission in 1674. The Capuchins opened mission stations in Alambarve (Myk;ghHNt), Karayampuly(fuk;Gyp), Marcanam(kuf;fhzk;), Cuddlore(flY}H), Manjacupam (kQ;rf;Fg;gk;),and  Cudapakam(flg;ghf;fk;)) among the tamils in 1690[1]  and brought number of people to Christian faith. The Capuchins looked after the spiritual needs of the French and the Tamils untill 1699. Karnatic - Malabr mission was constituted so as to evengelize the locals, thus Tamil community came under the care of the Jesuits. Jesuits were very much consentrated in the inlands while the Capuchins in the sea coast of Coromandal that leads to Madras.

1 Church of St. Peter or Lazar, Pondicherry
The humble and simple life of the French Capuchins attracted the Native Christians and they longed to attend the services conducted and sermons preached by them. The local Christians, especially the beautiful women out of fear of the French soldiers did not take active part in church activities.[2] Having understood the real problem of the natives, Lazar de Mota also known as Thanappa Mudelier(jdg;g KjypahH) of Poonamallee (G+tpUe;jty;yp) a local convert built a church dedicated to St. Peter in the town and donated to the Capuchin Fathers in 1686[3].
“I, the undersigned Lazzaro de Motta, do hereby declare that with goodwill and entire liberty, I give to the RR. FF. Capuchin French Missionaries, the church of St. Peter in the city of Pondicherrry where the Royal French Company has a factory, governed by the Director General Frecnis Martin. The Church which I built for the glory of God and for the benefit of my soul and for the consolation of the Gentiles, who have embraced our holy Faith by the zeal and exemplary life of the said missionaries, I give over to them. With this church I hand over to them all its dependencies. This is my wish that all remain in their possession for ever and that they are at liberty to use it for divine service….
I sign this gift-deed with my own hand.

Madraspatanam                                        (signed)
1 October 1686                                  Lazzaro de Motta”.[4]

It is known generally as the church of St. Lazar after his name and it was solely used for the local Christians. Fr. Dominic of Valence when he was the superior of the mission in 1737 received financial help from the French East company and replaced thechurch of St. Lazar which was falling into ruins with a magnificent, spacious and beautiful church admired by all.[5]

2 Kadapakam
            Mrs. Duplex the wife of François Joseph Duplex the governor (1742-1754) ofPondicherry was a great benefactress to the missionaries.[6] In 1751, she donated thevillage of Kadapakam to the Capuchins and to the Jesuits the villages of Markanam andCheyur. She helped the Capuchin fathers to erect a church to Blessed Virgin Mary atKadapakam. Two Capuchin missionaries, who were working here, devoted themselves in conversion and many embraced Christianity.

3. Cheyur
          The Jesuit Fathers looked after the spiritual needs of Cheyur from 1751 and due to a lot of difficulties; they handed over this mission to the Capuchins who were already working in the neighbouring mission of Kadapakam.[7] The Capuchin missionaries assumed the spiritual duties of this village and converted many people to the Christian fold. They built a church dedicated to Blessed virgin Marry. In 1780 Hyder Ali attackedCheyur, persecuted the missionaries and the Catholics and destroyed the church. Meanwhile, it came under the English power; since the Christians were away from Cheyurand Kadapakam; these villages were occupied by the Hindus. In 1790 the Capuchin Fathers tried to get back but could not succeed. But they managed to get them from the English only in 1810 and this time they donated 18 acres of land as inam (,dhk;) to thechurch of Kadapakam. And this was confirmed by the government in 1862.

4 Maracanam
          The Jesuits opened Maracanam mission later it was passed on to the Capuchin Fathers.[8] And they built a church dedicated to Maria de Mercede (Our lady of Mercy) for the benefits of the local Christians.[9]

5 Other Native Missions
          As it is already mentioned about the mission among the aborigines, it was a great zeal of Fr. Thomas of Poiters to take up this staggering task. It was indeed and promising mission but it had to be given up after ten years because of lack personnel. They also had served in the missions of Alambarve, Carampuly, Cuddlore, Manjacupamand even beyond Palar river.

Spiritual Animation to the French

The Capuchins accompanied the French East Company to be their pastors inIndia. When François Martin reorganised the mission after the arrival of the Jesuits, put the Capuchins in-charge of the Europeans, the Eurasians and the Creoles. The Capuchins were in charge of 3 churches in Pondicherry the Capuchin church of St. Mary of the Angels, St. Mary’s in the Louis Fort which was called the official church and St. Lazar.

1. St. Mary’s Church in the Fort, Pondicherry
When the Capuchins were invited by the French governor François Martin fromMadras to Pondicherry in 1674, they were given a little church in the Fort.[10] It was the only church in side the Fort used by the French and the Tamils. They held all their services in the church dedicated to St. Mary’s, it was a small and compact to be sufficient for all.[11] Fr. Thomas of Poitiers in his letter dated October, 4th 1708 writes, the Capuchins had 1050 parishioners.[12]

St. Mary' s or the Church of St. Louis inside the Fort  Built by the French government under the supervision of Fr. Louis, Capuchin in 1722.



2. Notre – Dame des Anges (Cap's Kovil), Pondicherry
            The Capuchin Fathers got a piece of new land from the French trading company to construct a church.[13] This church was dedicated to Our Lady of the Queen of the Angels (Notre – Dame des Anges) on the site south east of inside the walls of St. Louis in 1709.[14] This church was the first church built by the Capuchins.[15] When this church developed cracks, the Capuchins demolished and built a new one on the

Capuchin Street
,[16] today it falls in between the Cluny English school and the statue of Joan of Arc in
Roman Roland Street
.[17] When the English captured Pondicherry, the second church was demolished by them in 1761[18] it was again rebuilt for the third time on the same place in 1777.


              The Third Church built by the Capuchins to Notre Dame des Anges




The fourth and the present church of the Queen of the Angels was planned by Louis Guetre and built in typical Roman style by Lalande de Calan and Verinian S’maur, the French governor and this church was opened in March 1855.[19] The Capuchin church of the Queen of the Angels was recognized as parish in 1738 by the bishop of Mylapore.[20] This served as the Head-Quarter of the Capuchin Prefects from 1776-1828.



The View of the Church and Monestry of the French Capuchins in 1800.





The fourth and present Church of Notre Dame des Anges (Caps Kovil)









3. Chandernagore
The French established a settlement in Chandernagore a small town in West Bengal, 1690. The Capuchin Fathers of Tibet mission came to Chandernagore and built their first church dedicated to Our Lady of Loreto[21], later the Capuchins fromPondicherry took of this mission from 1706.[22] Since there were only European Catholics, the Capuchin Prefect Apostolic of Pondicherry firmly believed thatChandernagore came under his jurisdiction.[23]  The issue of jurisdiction was settled on 17th September 1793 by an agreement signed by Nicholas Champenois MEP Bishop-Superior of Pondicherry and Fr. Benjamin OFM.Cap the Vice Prefect Apostolic of Pondicherry that the mission of Chandernagore to be part of the Capuchin Prefecture.[24]The Capuchins remained in serving the faithful in Chandernagore till 1882.[25]



4. Karaikal
            In 1737 the French acquired Karaikal(fhiuf;fhy;) a small territory 85 km from South of Pondicherry.[26] Monsieur Dumas the governor requested Fr. Dominic of Vallance the superior of the Capuchin mission in Pondicherry to extend their ministry activities toKaraikal. He could send a Capuchin missionary only in 1740, when a batch of missionaries arrived from Savoie. This mission flourished well and became a great centre of missionary scope. The Capuchins were the in charge of the mission until it was handed over to the MEP Fathers in 1820

5. The Coastal Andhra
            The Christians at Machilipatnam and Bimlipatnam were of Cosmopolitan origin. These Christians communities were the Natives, the Dutch, the French, the English and the mixed races. The Theatine Fathers from Goa were in charge of these people.[27]When they left by 1694, the Augustinians succeeded them. The French at Machilipatnamasked for a French priest. The Capuchins of Pondicherry responded to their call in 1750. Fr. Augustine of Poitiers, a Capuchin was appointed by the Bishop of Mylapore as parish priest of Machilipatnam the Capuchin Superior confirmed it on 6th July 1752. An Austrian Capuchin Father John from Machilipatnam had worked at Guntur in 1789 and another Capuchin missionary Benjamin had served at Vishakhapatnam in 1798. The Capuchin friars of Pondicherry worked in all these coastal areas of Andhra till the end of the 18thcentury.

6 Other Mission Stations
          The Capuchins had the missions of Mahe and Yanam under their care and looked after the spiritual needs of the Europeans.[28]




The Oldest Building in Pondicherry since 1709  -  The Bell  Tower of  the  first  Church  of  Pondicherry  built by the  French Capuchins.






The View of the ancient monestry of the Capuchins,  Pondicherry

                                                                                 - Fr. A. Thainis, OFM.Cap.,


[1] Clemens a Terzorio, 148f.
[2] Daniel D’Souza, 27f.
[3] Here and the following, Ibid. Hambye, 172f.
[4] Peter Celestine, 19. (as found in), AGC, H 55, XIII/2: Capuchin Missions in India, f. 144.
[5] Peter Celestine, 26.
[6] Here and the following, Golden Jubilee Souvenir (1927-1977), History of the Parish of Cheyur (nra;A+H gq;F tuyhW), Cheyur, 1977, 01f.
[7] Ibid.
[8] Ibid.
[9] Arulappa, 51
[10] Lucius, 23.
[11] Madanakalyani, 58, Footnote 73.
[12] Hambye, Footnote, 172f.
[13] Madanakalyani, 59.
[14] Yacobu, 8.
[15] Madanakalyani, Footnote, 73.
[16] Ramasamy, 200.
[17] Madanakalyani, Footnote, 73.
[18] Ibid.
[19] Ramasamy, 200.
[20] Yacobu, 6.
[21] Peter Celestine, 32f.
[22] Christopher O’Mahony, Church History A Summary, vol., ii, Alwaye: Pontifical Institute Publication, 1987, 294.
[23] Sampathkumar, 35.
[24] Peter Celestine, 34f.
[25] Joachim (ed.), 11.
[26] Here and the following, Peter Celestine, 26.
[27] Hambye, 324-326.
[28] Sampath Kumar, 84.

The First Church in Pondicherry


Capuchin Church of St. Peter or Lazar, Pondicherry

The humble and simple life of the French Capuchins attracted the Native Christians and they longed to attend the services conducted and sermons preached by them. The local Christians, especially the beautiful women out of fear of the French soldiers did not take active part in church activities.[1] Having understood the real problem of the natives, Lazar de Mota also known as Thanappa Mudelier(jdg;g KjypahH) of Poonamallee (G+tpUe;jty;yp) a local convert built a church dedicated to St. Peter in the town and donated to the Capuchin Fathers in 1686[2].

“I, the undersigned Lazzaro de Motta, do hereby declare that with goodwill and entire liberty, I give to the RR. FF. Capuchin French Missionaries, the church of St. Peter in the city of Pondicherrry where the Royal French Company has a factory, governed by the Director General Frecnis Martin. The Church which I built for the glory of God and for the benefit of my soul and for the consolation of the Gentiles, who have embraced our holy Faith by the zeal and exemplary life of the said missionaries, I give over to them. With this church I hand over to them all its dependencies. This is my wish that all remain in their possession for ever and that they are at liberty to use it for divine service….
I sign this gift-deed with my own hand.

Madraspatanam     (signed)
1 October1686                                                                              
Lazzaro de Motta”.[3]

It is known generally as the church of St. Lazar after his name and it was solely used for the local Christians. Fr. Dominic of Valence when he was the superior of the mission in 1737 received financial help from the French East company and replaced thechurch of St. Lazar which was falling into ruins with a magnificent, spacious and beautiful church admired by all.[4]

Fr. A. Thainis, OFM.Cap.,

The Apostolic Prefecture of Pondicherry


            The Jesuits were suppressed by the French government on November 18, 1764 but allowed to minister as Jesuits in their colonies.[1] In 1773 Pope Clement XIV declared a universal suppression of the Society of Jesus. As Jesuits, they could no longer continue their mission therefore the Jesuit Malabar or Carnatic mission in Pondicherry was officially handed over to the “Missions Estrangers de Paris” (Foreign missions of Paris) by King Louis XVI in March, 1776. Rome appointed Mgr. Peter Brigot MEP, bishop ofTabracca on 30th September 1776 as the Superior of the Malabar mission with the faculties of a Vicar Apostolic.
            Meantime, the French governor requested the Sacred Congregation inRome to appoint one of the Capuchins to be Prefect Apostolic of Pondicherry over the Europeans and Eurasians.[2] He asked this favour in order to curtail the influence of the bishop of Mylapore who was under the Padroado system of Portugal. The Cardinal of the Sacred Congregation of Propaganda Fide, Joseph Mary thus appointed Fr. Sebastian ofNevers a Capuchin from the province of Tours as the first Prefect Apostolic of Pondicherry over the Europeans and Eurasians on 28th September 1776 in Rome. The CapuchinPrefecture was extended to all the French colonies in India. This double jurisdiction brought a lot of difficulties over in knowing the clear distinction between the Creoles, the Topassesand the Malabaris.[3] This problem existed until when this was handed over to the Holy Ghost Fathers in 1828. In 1827, the sisters of St. Joseph of Cluny came to Pondicherry to work among the French under the Capuchin Prefecture.

New Missions in the French Colonies
            The relations between the MEP Bishop-Superior over the Natives and the Capuchin Prefect over the Europeans were cordial. They agreed to exchange their faculties in case of the grave sickness or death of one of them.[4] The French invited the French Capuchins in Pondicherry to be their spiritual shepherds in all their settlements in India. Thus The Capuchins were privileged to work in all the French colonies and the CapuchinPrefecture was extended where ever their missionaries had worked.

 Karaikal
            In 1737 the French acquired Karaikal(fhiuf;fhy;) a small territory 85 km from South of Pondicherry.[5] Monsieur Dumas the governor requested Fr. Dominic of Vallancethe superior of the Capuchin mission in Pondicherry to extend their ministry activities toKaraikal. He could send a Capuchin missionary only in 1740, when a batch of missionaries arrived from Savoie. This mission flourished well and became a great centre of missionary scope. The Capuchins were the in charge of the mission until it was handed over to the MEP Fathers in 1820

Machilipatnam
            The Christians at Machilipatnam and Bimlipatnam were of Cosmopolitan origin.  These Christians communities were the Natives, the Dutch, the French, the English and the mixed races. The Theatine Fathers from Goa were in charge of these people.[6]When they left by 1694, the Augustinians succeeded them. The French at Machilipatnamasked for a French priest. The Capuchins of Pondicherry responded to their call in 1750. Fr. Augustine of Poitiers, a Capuchin was appointed by the Bishop of Mylapore as parish priest of Machilipatnam the Capuchin Superior confirmed it on 6th July 1752. An Austrian Capuchin Father John from Machilipatnam had worked at Guntur in 1789 and another Capuchin missionary Benjamin had served at Vishakhapatnam in 1798. The Capuchin friars of Pondicherry worked in all these coastal areas of Andhra till the end of the 18th century.

Chandernagore
            The French established a settlement in Chandernagore a small town inWest Bengal, 1690. The Capuchin Fathers of Tibet mission came to Chandernagore and built their first church dedicated to Our Lady of Loreto[7], later the Capuchins fromPondicherry took of this mission from 1706.[8] Since there were only European Catholics, the Capuchin Prefect Apostolic of Pondicherry firmly believed that Chandernagore came under his jurisdiction.[9]  The issue of jurisdiction was settled on 17th September 1793 by an agreement signed by Nicholas Champenois MEP Bishop-Superior of Pondicherry and Fr. Benjamin OFM.Cap the Vice Prefect Apostolic of Pondicherry that the mission ofChandernagore to be part of the Capuchin Prefecture.[10] The Capuchins remained in serving the faithful in Chandernagore till 1882.[11]

The Prefects Apostolic of Pondicherry Capuchin Mission[12]
1. Rev. Fr. Sebastian of Nevers OFM. Cap.,               (23/09/1776 – 26/11/1780)
2. Rev. Fr. Donatus of Aurelinensis OFM. Cap.,        (27/11/1780 – 10/09/1786)
3. Rev. Fr. Hilarius of Pictaviensis OFM.Cap.,          (11/09/1786 – 23/11/1788)
4. Rev. Fr. Damasus of Oleron OFM Cap.,                (24/11/1788 –
5. Rev. Fr. Benedictus of Monterotundo OFM Cap., (21/02/1792 –
A clear detail study on the Prefects Apostolic of Pondicherry is not available but this list of Prefects is the study of Fr. Clement of Terzorio from the General Archives of the Capuchin Order in Rome.

                                                                                                         
[1]. Here and the following. Ibid, 198.
[2] Here and the following, Clemente de Terzorio, MHMOMC, Isola Del Liri: Soc.Tip, A Macioce and Pisanie, 1926, 23.
[3] Collectiona Franciscana, 273.
[4] Joseph Thekkedath, 199.
[5] Here and the following, Collectiona Franciscana, 275.
[6] Sampathkumar (trans.), History of Pondicherry mission-an out line, Chennai: University of Madras, 2000, 8.
[7] Joseph Thekkedath, 199.
[8] Collectiona Franciscana, 275.
[9] Clemens a Terzorio, 148f.
[10] Joseph Thekkedath, 199.
[11] Here and the following, Lucius, Capuchin Studies, “The Capuchins in India,” vol., iv, no., 4, Quilon: Assisi Press, December 1959, 23.
[12] Madanakalyani (trans.,), Puducherry-a City of Trade (GJr;Nrhp xU tzpfj;js Chpd; tuyhW), Puducherry: FrenchCollege, 1998, 60.
[13] Thomas Pothacamury, 60.
[14] Collectiona Franciscana, 276.
[15] Thomas Pothacamury, 60
[16] Peter Celestine, 20.
[17] Here and the following, Norbert Wolf, 18.
[18] Here and the following, Hambye, History of Christianity in India, vol., iii, Bangalore: Church History Association of India, Theological Publications in India, 1982, 170f.
[19] Joseph Thekkedath, 199f.
[20] Hambye, 172ff.
[21] Gabriel 73.
[22] Ibid, footnote, 73.
[23] Hambye, footnote, 173.


- Fr. A. Thainis, OFM. Cap.,