Velankanni Church

Located on the sandy shores of Bay of Bengal, Velankanni Church is considered as one of the holiest Christian pilgrimage destinations in India n and is situated on the Coromandel Coast, 350 km south of Chennai and 12 km south of Nagapattinam. It is said that Virgin Mary appeared here along with Baby Jesus around the end of the 16th and the beginning of the 17th century, after which Velankanni became a revered site for the Christian community. Declared as the holy city by the Pope, it draws devotees in large number from all over the world.

Officially spelt as Vailankanni, this small hamlet is renowned for its Roman Catholic shrine, Basilica of Our Lady of Good health which is also known as the Velankanni Church. Also fondly known as 'Lourdes of the East', the shrine represents a melting pot of many cultures, international and religious harmony. The church is completely dedicated to Virgin Mary and the Heavenly Mother.  It is believed by the devotees of the church that Lady of Health or Madonna of Velankanni possesses miraculous powers. People of every religion, caste and creed visit the church to pay their respect to the great lady.

Mass Timings during weekdays (Monday to Friday)
Morning Prayer in Velankanni Main Shrine: 05:40 AM
Mass (in Tamil) in Velankanni Main Shrine: 06:00 AM
Mass (in Tamil) in Velankanni Lower Basilica: 07:00 AM
Mass (in Telugu) in Velankanni Upper Basilica: 08:00 AM 
Mass (in Malayalam) in Velankanni Lower Basilica: 09:00 AM 
Mass (in English) in Velankanni Lower Basilica: 10:00 AM
Mass (in Hindi) in Velankanni Upper Basilica: 11:00 AM 
Mass (in Tamil) in Velankanni Lower Basilica: 12:00 PM 
Rosary and Litany (in Tamil) followed by Mass in Tamil in the Velankanni Lower Basilica: 06:00 PM 
Mass Timings on all Sundays
Mass (in Tamil) for Parishioners of Velankanni in Velankanni Lower Basilica: 05:00 AM 
Mass (in Tamil) in Velankanni Lower Basilica: 07:30 AM
Rosary, Novena Prayer, Benediction and Mass (in Tamil) in Lower Basilica: 06:00 PM 
Mass Timings on all Saturdays
Car Procession of Our Lady of Health around the Shrine Benediction and Mass (in Tamil) in Velankanni Lower Basilica: 05:45 AM
Mass (in Tamil) at Our Lady's Tank Chapel: 07:00 AM
Mass Timings on first Friday
Mass (in Tamil) Eucharistic Procession around the Shrine Sermon and Benediction from the front view of the Velankanni Upper Basilica: 07:00 AM
Mass Timings on first Saturday
Car Procession of Our Lady of Health thought the Beach Road. Blessing of the Sick with the Blessed Sacrament Benediction and Mass (in Tamil) in the Lower Basilica: 05:30 PM 
A Three-Hour Adoration to the Blessed Sacrament in the Velankanni Main Shrine: 09:00 PM 
Mass Timings on second Saturday
A Healing and Fasting Prayer Service at Velanakanni Retreat House: 09:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Mass Timings on Third Saturday
One Hour Intercessory Prayer Service at Our Lady's Tank Chapel after 7:00 AM Mass
Mass Timings on Fourth Saturday
Mass (in Tamil) at Naduththitu Chapel: 06:30 AM
Children's Evangelization Programme in front of Presbytery: 08:00 PM