→ Our Lady of Vellankanni Matha Shrine at Nandikotkur


Vailankannimatha Shrine, Nandikotkur: Nandikotkur was originally an outstation of Kurnool Parish and was made a parish in 1967. Fr. Cheriyan was the first Parish Preist. The construction of present church was started by Rev. Fr. Joseph Perincheril. Fr. R. Shoury completed it and during Fr. K. Joji’s time (1994), this was raised to a Shrine and was blessed by His Lordship Most Rev. G. Johannes along with 2 other Bishops. Our Bishop declared it as the Second Shrine of Our Lady in the Diocese.



Historical Background of the Diocese :


The Indian history Christianity reveals that Rayalaseema is the cradle of Catholicism in Andrah Pradesh. The two districts of this region Anantapur and kurnool witness or gave birth to Catholicism in Krishnapuram and Onteddupalle, Polur and Cowlur. respectively. The Karnatic Jesuit missionaries sowed the seeds of Christianity in these villages from 1700. They also contributed xtensively to Telugu Christian literature. It is recorded that the 1st person accepted Christ in Andra Prades was Rangappa of Sale Caste. Later in 1718 Thumma Rayaappa Reddy was baptized by Fr. LeeGac. As the Holy relics of the Carnatic mission today, we have three tombs of Jesuit missionaries in Krshnapuram. as well as the tombs of three Jesuit missionaries are witnessese for the rise of Catholicism in Andra Pradesh. Because of the Marathas war and persecution and looting of Christians in these areas, the people have left to Guntur, Nalgonda, and to some parts of the Tamil nadu. The diocese is proud to be beginner for the origin of Catholicism in Andhra Pradesh.

After the withdrawal of the Jesuits in 1773, the Paris Foriegn Missionary Society took over the missionary task and kept alive the faith of the people. From 1875 onwards, the Mill Hill Fathers also labored in the Western parts of the diocese for some time. As a result of their hard work, kurnool was erected as Diocese in 1967. Most Rev. Joseph Rajappa, Most Rev. Matthew Cheriankunnel, Most Rev. S. A. Aruliah and Most Rev. G. Johannes initiated many developmental activities in the fields of evangelization, education, health and social development. Many religious congregations of men and women have taken up activities in these fields. Bishop Johannes gave a new impetus to the pastoral activities in the diocese. The new parishes of Premagiri, Kosigi, Raptadu, Kodumur Mission, Chapirevula and Bandi Atmakur were established. The Siani Retreat Center at Premagiri, and ST. John's Jubilee Memorial Hall at Pastoral Center are promising evangelization and religious education. St. John's Major Seminary at Dinnedevarapadu, Kurnool, run by the Heralds of the Good New Fathers is another land mark in the history of the Kurnool Diocese. The dreams of Bishop Johannes to have major seminary is now realized. Keeping in mind the call of the Holy Father for "Yesu Christu Jayanti 2000", the diocese of kurnool has launched a padtoral program for "Jubilee 2000" with a special committee named Yesu Christu Jayanti 2000". All priests, Religious, Catechists and the people at all levels and worked for the meaningful celebration "Yesu Christu Jayanti 2000"and its effective follow-up. In order to prepare the priests, religious and the laity, the Diocesan Senate conducted the Diocesan Synod. This will help the Church of Kurnool to plan out pastoral, spiritual and human developmental activities in the diocese. With the Eucharistic Congress, the Jubilee Celebration in the Diocese has been formally concluded.

Hats off to all those who worked marvelously and invincibly in the vineyard of Lord and hope that the forthcoming generations will live up to expectations and dreams of our predecessors.

After the sudden demise of Bishop Gorantla Johannes on 20th January, 2007 the Diocese of Kurnool has been waiting for the new Bishop. It was on 8th February, 2008 His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI has appointed Rev. Msgr. Anthony Poola as the Bishop of Kurnool and on 19th April, 2008 he was consecrated as bishop kurnool.

Good news to the poor” is the motto of Bishop Poola Anthony and he earnestly looks forward for the whole hearted cooperation and collaboration of all to realize his motto and to develop the dioese in all levels.

Shrine Parish Priest  :   Rev. Fr. G. Inna Reddy
Address                      :   Vailankanni Matha Shrine,
                                       Nandikotkur - 518 401
                                       Kurnool Dist
                                       Andhra Pradesh, INDIA

Mass Timings             :   Sundays : 9:30 a.m
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