OFM

Punitha Anthoniar Illam
Rajakambeeram
Y. Othakkadai P.O.
Madurai
TAMIL NADU– 625 107
0452-2422798 [Friary]
0452-2422853 [Parish]

History

The history of St. John De Britto Parish, Y. Othakadai, traces its roots to 1982, when the first church dedicated to St. John De Britto was built to serve the small Catholic community of the surrounding area. At that time, it functioned as a substation of Our Lady of Lourdes Shrine Parish, K. Pudur, and consisted of fewer than thirty families. On 26 June 1994, the substation was bifurcated and elevated into an independent parish. At the time of its elevation, the parish had around thirty registered families. From its inception as a parish, pastoral care was entrusted to the Franciscan friars on contract, and since 1994, a total of twelve friars have served as parish priests. Today, the parish has grown significantly and now includes 167 registered families. A new parish church is currently under construction to meet the needs of the growing community.

The parish also includes two chapels. The Sacred Heart Chapel, located in Thamaraipatti about three kilometres from the parish centre, is more than a hundred years old and was renovated recently. The second, Our Lady of Velankanni Chapel, is situated in Valar Nagar approximately four kilometres away. Both chapels continue to serve as important centres of prayer and pastoral outreach for the faithful.

Pastoral activities within the parish are vibrant and well-organized. The Parish Pastoral Council meets monthly to plan and review parish matters, convening additional meetings when necessary. There are five Small Christian Communities, which gather regularly for prayer, Gospel sharing, and planning of local initiatives. The Women’s Commission, established in 2023, has become an active and dynamic group involved in liturgical preparation, decorations, family visits, and social outreach to the physically challenged and the elderly. The Youth Group meets monthly and plays a vital role in assisting with parish activities and major events. Catechism classes are held every Sunday, while Vacation Bible School (VBS) takes place during summer holidays, along with special preparation classes for children receiving the sacraments. The parish celebrates several major feasts, including the Parish Feast, St. Francis Feast, Holy Innocents Feast, Girl Children’s Day, and International Women’s Day, along with other liturgical celebrations.

The Punitha Anthoniar Illam Friary, located in Rajakambeeram in the Y. Othakadai region on the northern side of Madurai, shares a parallel and interconnected history with the parish. The foundation stone for the friary was laid in 1992 with the goal of establishing a regional juniorate in Madurai. During the construction period, the friars temporarily resided at Meena Illam, Anna Nagar. The society was officially registered in 1993, and by 1995, the juniorate building was completed, blessed, and inaugurated by Most Rev. Dr. Arockiasamy, DDCL, Archbishop of Madurai. The juniorate functioned effectively from 1995 until 2009, after which the friary was transformed into a House of Postulancy in May 2009.

Over the years, the friary has witnessed steady development in infrastructure and mission. A notable milestone was the installation of solar power on 14 June 2022, symbolizing the community’s commitment to sustainability. A major educational initiative began with the laying of the foundation stone for a CBSE school within the friary campus by Most Rev. Dr. Antony Pappusamy on 12 February 2023. This vision became a reality when St. Anthony’s Academy was inaugurated by Minister Provincial Br. Xavier Durairaj, OFM, on 16 June 2025. Today, the friary continues to serve the Church and society through its ministries of formation, pastoral care, and education.

The friary community is presently composed of a dynamic team: Bro. Irudayaraj, serving as Guardian, Treasurer, and Correspondent; Bro. Basil, as Vicar and Director of Postulants; Bro. James, as Parish Priest of St. John De Britto Church; Bro. Alphonse Velankanni, as Administrator of St. Anthony’s Academy; Bro. Andrew, as Regent; along with 24 Postulants in formation. Together, the parish and friary stand as vibrant centres of Franciscan mission, service, and fraternity in the region.