Chronological of Shrine Basilica

The narration of apparitions of our lady of Good Health dawned in the 16th century.
Vailankanni which had been a sub – station of Nagapattinam parish, was bifurcated from Nagapattinam and raised to the status of a Parish in September 1771.
The majestic Shrine facing the east, was extended twice in 1920 and 1933 and the tiled roof was converted in to concrete in 1981.
His Holiness Pope John the XXIII elevated the Shrine to the status of Basilica on the 3rd of November 1962. The apparitions of Our Lady, the miraculous statue of Our Lady, the countless miracles, the magnificent architecture and the beauty of the Shrine, were the motives for the Shrine to become a Minor Basilica.

“The world day of the Sick” was celebrated in the Shrine Basilica in the year 2002.
Vailankanni was declared the ‘Lourdes of the East’ by His Holiness Pope John Paul II in 2002.
The new chapel in memory of the first apparition of Our Lady to the milk boy, was raised in 1982.
The chapel in memory of the second apparition of Our Lady to the butter – milk vendor lame boy was put up in 2002.
The church of Adoration & Reconciliation which is on the southern side of the Shrine Basilica, houses in the front to make confession and in the rear for adoration to the Blessed Sacrament from 06.00 a.m. to 06.00 p.m. every day. It was built in commemoration of ‘The World Day of the Sick’.
A chapel is proposed to be put up in the sea in memory of Our Lady saving the Portuguese sailors from tempest in the Bay of Bengal.
Chronological List Of Parish Priests
1777 Jul – Rev. Fr. Antonio de Rosario, Commissary
1779 Sep – Rev. Fr. Luis dos Remedios
1783 Jan – Rev. Fr. Antonio de Rosario, Commissary
1788 Dec – Rev. Fr. Antonio do Jesus Maria Jose
1789 Sep – Rev. Fr. Antonio de Rosario Commissary
1792 Sep – Rev. Fr. Jos Roza de Giterbo Commissary & V. F.
1814 May – Rev. Fr. Constantine de Jesus Maria Commissary
1819 May – Rev. Fr. Thomas de Piedade
1822 Feb – Rev. Fr. Francisco Xavier Masearenhas
1822 Aug – Rev. Fr. Francisco Das Dores
1824 May – Rev. Fr. Felipe de Jesus
1825 Sep – Rev. Fr. Francisco Dos Dores
1828 Jun – Rev. Fr. Felipe de Jesus
1829 May – Rev. Fr. Clemente Das Dores
1847 Oct – Rev. Fr. Isidore Manuel Alimao
1858 Apl – Rev. Fr. Jose Felis Fernandes AG.PP
1863 Nov – Rev. Fr. Felipe Nery Joaquim Dias
1876 May – Rev. Fr. Ignacio Antonio d’ Andrade
1886 Aug – Rev. Fr. Miguel Francisco Fernandes
1890 Dec – Rev. Fr. Joaquim Jose Ag. P. Vic. Nagapattinam
1891 Feb – Rev. Fr. Cuilherme Jose Dias
1892 Dec – Rev. Fr. Joaquim Jose Luis Ag. P. Vic. Nagapattinam
1893 Mar – Rev. Fr. Martinho Valeriane de Sa
1899 Sep – Rev. Fr. Joaquim Francisco da Fiedade Dias
1900 Aug – Rev. Fr. Camilla Fernandes
1910 Aug – Rev. Fr. Sebastio Xavier de Noronha
1942 Sep – Rev. Fr. M. V. Rodrigues
1963 Jun – Rev. Fr. S.Mariasusai
1980 Sep – Very Rev. Msgr. Thomas Vaz
1982 Sep – Rev. Fr. S.L.Gabriel
1990 Dec – Rev. Fr. M.M.Sammanasu, Rector & Parish Priest
1997 Jun – Rev. Fr. G.Arul Irudayam, Rector & Parish Priest
2003 Jun – Rev. Fr. P.Xavier, Rector
2003 Jun – Rev. Fr. F.Antonisamy, Vice-Rector & PP
2008 Jun – Rev. Fr. B.Arokiadoss, Vice-Rector & PP
2009 Jun – Rev. Fr. A.Michael, Rector
2015 Jun – Rev. Fr. A.M.A.Prabakar, Rector