St. Xavier's Cathedral — Attraction in Tamil Nadu

A Sacred Sanctuary: My Devotional Experience at St. Xavier’s Cathedral, Kottar

Visiting St. Xavier’s Cathedral in Kottar has been nothing short of a deeply moving spiritual experience for me. As a devotee, this cathedral holds a special place in my heart. Every time I step inside its sacred walls, I feel a profound sense of peace and connection with my faith that words can hardly describe.

The history of St. Xavier’s is intertwined with the legacy of St. Francis Xavier, a saint whose devotion and mission to spread the word of God in this very region continues to inspire countless lives today. Every time I kneel in prayer here, I can’t help but feel a deep sense of connection to his enduring faith and his commitment to spreading love and compassion. It’s as if the spirit of the saint still watches over this place, offering strength to all who seek it.

What truly stands out is the sense of community within the cathedral. The people here—fellow devotees—are kind, welcoming, and filled with genuine warmth. During the Holy Mass, there’s a unique sense of unity that transcends mere rituals. The prayers resonate deeply within me, and I always leave with a renewed sense of hope and devotion. There’s something incredibly humbling about sharing in worship with a community that feels so spiritually united.

The cathedral also offers a sense of peaceful solitude, allowing you to pray and meditate in quiet reflection. I often find myself sitting in the pews, lost in thought, feeling the presence of God in a way that is rare and incredibly special. It’s the perfect place to find solace in moments of doubt and to celebrate joy in times of gratitude.

Each visit to St. Xavier’s Cathedral is a blessed encounter. It’s not just a place of worship; it’s a haven for the soul, a place where faith is rekindled, and where you truly feel the divine presence. This cathedral is a treasure not only for its beauty and history but for its ability to uplift the spirit and guide each devotee on their journey of faith.

I am eternally grateful for this sacred sanctuary, and I encourage anyone seeking peace, inspiration, and a deeper connection with God to experience the unparalleled serenity and devotion that St. Xavier’s...

Saint Francis Xavier, a Spanish Jesuit missionary, landed in Goa in May 1542 and he sailed from Goa to Cape Comorin in October 1542 on missionary tour to Travancore Once a great band of dacoits attacked Travancore. Rajas forces couldt combat the enemy successfully, but Xavier chased away the marauders at Vadasery by raising his Crucifix aloft and shouting at them. Very pleased with Xavier, the Raja showed special regards and gratitudes to him.At Kottar, Xavier had a dwelling house and a small church. Tradition says that the heathens set fire to Xaviers house and reduced it to ashes, but they were struck with awe when they saw the holy man on his knees devoutly praying, not in the least touched by the flames. To mark the place a cross was put up, to which miraculous powers were attributed. From the time the church was built on the spot, a lamp is kept perpetually burning. Even Hindus go there and make vows and pour oil. Miracles are recorded to have taken place there; and hence multitudes of devout Catholic pilgrims from British India, Ceylon and Malacca  resort to the annual festival at St. Xaviers church, Kottar, about December of every year. Christianity in Travancore was introduced by the disciple of Jesus Christ St.Thomas in 52 AD.The primitive or original church which still subsists was built by St. Francis Xavier himself between the years AD 1542 and AD 1550.Afterwards the Bishops of Cochin constructed a new and more spacious church that was richly endowed with precious ornaments and utensils gifted by the Kings of Portugal.The mortal remains of Christian martyr Devasahayam Pillai were given a Christian burial in front of the high altar of St.Xaviers church at Kottar in January AD 1752.While being one of the oldest churches in the whole of erstwhile Southern Travancore, it is definitely the oldest Cathedral church of Roman Catholic Diocese of Kottar in the present-days Kanyakumari district (of Tamil Nadu) since there are three more dioceses got established...

The St. Francis Xavier's Cathedral also St. Xavier Church is a roman catholic latin rite  shrine located at Kottar, Nagercoil in Kanyakumari district of Tamil Nadu state, India. While Saint Xavier was doing missionary work at Kottar and its neighbourhood, he averted an invasion of Vadugas with the help of the army of Paravars and Padaiyatchis of Kottar, at Vadasery, thus protected the people of Venad kingdom from that attack which was appreciated by the king, Unni Kerala Varma, who became closer to the priest and befriended him from then on. In recognition of Xavier’s services, the king allotted him a piece of land to construct a Catholic church, as a gesture of goodwill, as per the church records. There was already a small church, in the same place where St. Xavier’s church stands at present, dedicated to Mary the Mother of God, since AD 1544 . Church records indicate that St. Xavier Church was built in 1600. In 1865, the Shrine of Mary was renovated and enlarged. In 1930, the church was raised to the status of a cathedral. The annual festival is celebrated during November – December, lasting for 10 days.car van bike parking available this place....