| There are various
traditions in vogue regarding the origin of the beautiful
wooden statue of Our Lady of Snows in the Basilica. According
to one such tradition the statue of Our Lady of Snows was
kept in a Chapel in a Convent of the Augustinian Sisters
in Manila, Philippines. St. Francis Xavier, on his way
to china had to spend a few days in Manila. he was very
much attracted by the Beauty of the Statue.
In the heart of hearts, he wished that the statue be
sent to the newly converted Paravars of Pearl Fishery
Coast as his gift for he had noticed that great attachment
of those Paravars towards the Hindu Goddesses, such as
Madurai Meenakshi and Kanyakumari Bhagavathi Amman. He
thought this beautiful statue of Our Lady of Snows would
be the best substitute for them.
But when he expressed his wish to the sisters, they
first turned down his request, Later, when they came
to know of the death of St. Francis Xavier on Sancian
Island in 1552, they remembered his request and immediately
sent the statue to Thoothukudi by a ship named SANTALENA
and the ship arrived on 9th June 1555.
It was received by Very Rev. Fr. Michael Vaz, the Vicar
General of the Diocese of Goa and was solemnly installed
in the Jesuit church of San Paul at Keracope Street,
Thoothukudi. |
