Extended Territory Pilgrimage to the Tomb of St. Thomas the Apostle:

On 2 July 2026, thirteen members from the Extended Territory undertook a pilgrimage to the sacred places associated with St. Thomas the Apostle. It was a deeply meaningful spiritual journey that renewed our missionary spirit and strengthened our commitment to proclaim the Gospel with greater zeal.Our pilgrimage began at Chinnamalai (Little Mount), where I celebrated the Holy Mass at the traditional site of the martyrdom of St. Thomas. We then visited Periyamalai (St. Thomas Mount), a place of prayer and silence, where we prayed  3 in the ancient cave and venerated the traditional knee prints and footprints of the Apostle. These sacred places inspired us to imitate his faith, perseverance, and complete trust in God. The highlight of our pilgrimage was our time of prayer at the tomb of St. Thomas in the crypt of Santhome Basilica, Mylapore. Spending time in silent prayer before the resting place of the Apostle of India was a profound spiritual experience that renewed our missionary calling. We were also blessed to meet Mar Sebastian Pozholiparambil, Bishop of Hosur, who showed great interest in the mission of our Extended Territory. Our conversation about our evangelization efforts and pastoral ministry was both encouraging and enriching. I sincerely thank all the Fathers and Sisters who participated in this pilgrimage and made it a prayerful and memorable experience. I am especially grateful to Rev. Fr. Tobin Alapuraickal for coordinating the entire pilgrimage with great dedication and care. His thoughtful planning and attention to every detail ensured that everything proceeded smoothly, allowing us to focus on prayer, fellowship, and spiritual renewal.