History of Stella Maris Church, Kalmady
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About the Location :

Stella Maris means the star of the Sea and this name suits beautifully to this Church. Stella Maris Church is situated on the coastal banks of Arabian Sea. It is very close to Malpe natural harbor of Udupi district, Karnataka, India.

The star of the sea guides the navigator during their voyage and restores hopes and aspirations in them and shows them the directions of the land where they have to reach.

Stella Maris Church of Kalmady being a great pilgrim center, like the morning star guides the devotees of Jesus and Mother Mary to give up their sinful life and to follow the path of prayers, truthfulness, nobility, love and sacrifice and to walk on the footsteps of Jesus. So it helps the sinners to give up their evil ways, bad habits and helps them to come out of it and lead a good life.

Kalmady being a small village was totally unknown to the outside people. But now because of Stella Maris Church and the lady of Velankanni Shrine, it has become a great pilgrim Centre. Today Kalmady has marked its own boundary in the world map. People from all over the world come to this Church seeking favors from our lady of Velankanni and when they receive favors again they come here with the gratitude to give thanks. So the place Kalmady which is chosen by God himself has become a place of miracles and devotion and has brought in communal harmony and brotherhood here.

Kalmady is the place chosen by God and Lady of Velankanni to cure the sick , to uplift the downtrodden, needy, poor and people who are addicted to excessive alcohol and drugs. There are evidences to show that some people who have become desperate because of their bad habits wanted to commit suicide came and stayed here and got cured. Now they are working in different parts of the world and have become the bread winners of the family because of prayer and counseling given by the Parish priest Fr. Alban D’Souza.

The beginning :

Before 1972 there was no church in Kalmady. People of Kalmady had to go to Udupi Mother of Sorrows Church or St. Anne Church, Tottam for their religious needs .Both the places are far from Kalmady. That time there were no proper bus services and people had to walk the 8 km distance. Children and aged people were finding it really difficult. The financial conditions of the people were also not good at that time. They couldn’t afford to go by bus so they decided to have a church in Kalmady and were praying for it, as in the Bible said knock and it will open. Pray and you will get it. So they prayed and the prayers reached God the almighty and were answered by God.

Rev. Fr Charles D’Souza , the founder of Stella Maris Church Kalmady being a native of Kalmady knew all the pains, problems ,difficulties and grievances of the people of Kalmady as he too had undergone the same trials. He was the commander in the Indian Navy. Even from his childhood he had a strong desire to become a priest. After completing his BA Honours degree in maths at St. Aloysius College Mangalore, he joined the Indian Navy and became a commander in the Indian Navy . To fulfill his dream of becoming a priest, he took voluntary retirement from the Navy at the age of 50, went to Rome, studied in Beda college for priesthood, got ordained by Pope Paul VI and became a priest. He wanted to help the people of Kalmady for their religious needs by building a church. For that he bought a field from Cecilia D’Lima from his own money and donated it in the name of his mother Mrs. Lucy D’Souza to build a church. Then with the help and cooperation of the people, he built the church out of his own money and also from the donation given by the people. While building the church many people of Kalmady worked hard and extended their helping hands.

This Chapel was blessed by Bishop Basil D’Souza on 5th February 1972. Then it was under Udupi Parish and priests from Udupi and Kalyanpur were coming here to offer Sunday mass.

Formation of the parish :

During the reign of Fr. Joseph Tauro who was the Parish priest of Udupi ,Priest house was built at Kalmady in the church compound and was blessed on 15th May 1986. Fr. Dennis Castelino was the first residing Parish priest of Kalmady and he took charge in June 1987. On 1st January 1991 Decree was given by the Bishop and since then Kalmady became an independent Parish.

On 15th of August 1988 the Statue of Our Lady of Velankanni donated by Father Wilson D’Souza was brought from Velankanni to be installed in Kalmady Church. On August 15, 1988 it was blessed in Mother of Sorrows Church Udupi and was brought to Kalmady in a grand procession and was installed here by Bishop Basil D’Souza. Since then it has become a great shrine and pilgrim center.

After Fr. Dennis Castelino, Fr. Robert Pinto took charge of the parish and during his time the altar was renovated.

Then came Fr. Ivan D’mello ,a great disciplinarian. He tried his level best to build a cemetery (graveyard) in Kalmady. Appeals were sent to concerned authorities for permission. He had to face a lot of opposition from people because they thought if a graveyard is built, their land rates will come down. Though Udupi municipality gave the permission once, immediately it withdrew it because of people’s opposition. So he and the Vice president of the church parish council Mrs. Flavia Mathias took the matter to High Court and after some years they won the case in the High Court and in the later years a beautiful Graveyard was built during the time of Jesuits and Mr Louis Lobo was the vice president of parish council then.

Fr. Ivan D’mello bought the adjoining field of one Hindu person by name Achyuta who gave his land at concessional rate for the church. Mrs. Flavia Mathais Vice President and Mr Philip Andrade got it registered to the church. After buying the land the compound wall was put up. There also father Fr. Ivan D’mello had to face a lot of problems. That time nobody even imagined that God had made them buy that land and God’s plan to build this new boat shaped Church there was wonderful.

After Fr. Ivan D’mello, the Jesuits took charge of the parish and during that time the Church flourished. Fr. Richard Mascarenhas , Fr.Maxim and Fr. Joseph D’Souza were the Jesuits Parish priest here.

After that again the administration of Kalmady Church came to the hands of secular priest. On 4th June 2012 came the great captain and great sculptor of Kalmady Church who is an architect too who changed the entire picture and scenario of Kalmady church . He is none other than Reverend Fr Alban D’Souza . This priest was sent by God himself to build a new Church for his honour in Kalmady. Fr Alban D’Souza is known for his healing prayers and counseling. He is a priest of prayers and penance. He used to help people who are sick and are in need.

Fr. Alban D’Souza was sent to Kalmady with a mission to build a new Church here because the religious heads had noted that people from far and wide are coming to Kalmady for prayer and Kalmady needs a bigger Church beside Malpe to Shimoga Road Central highway would get extended and it will come up to the steps of present existing Church. Realizing the need to build a new Church to meet the needs of pilgrims worldwide, they sent Fr. Alban D’Souza as a Parish priest of Kalmady. He took charge as a Parish priest on 4th June 2012. So God has sent the right person at the right time to meet the needs of people like Moses was sent by God to take people to the promised land.

Fr. Alban D’Souza was a great Counselor too and a lot of people used to come here for his counseling and prayers. Lot of miracles have taken place in Stella Maris Church Kalmady. Instances of Blood cancer, Brain cancer were cured after praying here though the doctors of well-known hospitals had lost hopes saying it cannot be cured . Tissue less patients have got children. Things which looked impossible were made possible by God here. Visas and jobs in foreign countries were obtained after playing here.

After coming to Kalmady Fr.Alban D’Souza put the matter of beginning a new Church in front of the people and it was happily accepted by the people. It was a great project of 6 to 7 Crores of Rupees and collecting money was a very hard job. But Fr. Alban took up the challenge to build that mighty Church and got it completed with the support of parishioners and donors.

Silver Jubilee celebration of Stella Maris Church :

Silver jubilee of Stella Maris Church was celebrated on August 15, 2013.

Dr Gerald Isaac Lobo, Bishop of Udupi Diocese presided over the Holy Eucharistic Mass along with Monsignor Baptist Menezes, vicar general of Udupi Diocese, Fr Valerian Mendonca, Chancellor of Udupi Diocese, Fr Stany B Lobo, rector of Milagres Cathedral, Kallianpur, Fr Fred Mascarenhas, dean of Udupi Deanery, Fr Anil D’Souza, dean of Kundapur Deanery, Fr Alban D’Souza, parish priest of Stella Maris Church, Kalmady, and architect of Kalmady and Fr Denis Castelino as the co-celebrants.

From August 6, in preparations for the grand festival, nine days of the Novena of Vailankanni were carried out.

Bishop Lobo blessed the foundation stone for the new church.

After the mass there was a small formal stage function with Bishop Lobo presiding. Vinay Kumar Sorake, MLA of Kaup and minister for state urban development and Udupi district-in-charge, Pramod Madhawaraj, MLA of Udupi, Monsignor Menezes, Fr Denis Castelino, Fr Richard Mascarenhas, Fr Fread Mascarenhas, Fr Alban D’Souza and others were present on the dais.

Fr Denis Castelino released the Novena book. Fr Baptist Menezes honoured Fr Denis Castelino for his service.

Former parish priest Fr Richard Mascarenhas was felicitated by Pramod Madhawaraj, MLA of Udupi. Madhwaraj announced a grant of Rs 5 lac for the new church building. He also promised to grant the funds from the government along with Vinay Kumar Sorake.

On the occasion, a souvenir was released by Vinay Kumar Sorake. Bishop Lobo felicitated Sorake on the occasion.

On behalf of the parishioners, Fr Alban D’Souza felicitated Bishop Lobo. More than 6,000 devotees participated in the fellowship meal which was arranged after the stage function.

Inauguration of newly built Stella Maris Church :

The unique architectural masterpiece, one of the first boat-shaped churches in the state, Stella Maris Church, Kalmady, was inaugurated in a grand ceremony on January 6, 2018.

The lighthouse shaped belfry tower was inaugurated by Dr Robert Miranda, bishop of Gulbarga diocese, while the Shrine of Velankanni was inaugurated and blessed by Dr Francis Serrao, bishop of Shimoga diocese. The new church building was inaugurated by Dr Gerald Issac Lobo, bishop of Udupi diocese. Bishop Francis Serrao delivered a meaningful homily.

Priests from the deanery and diocese took part in the Holy Eucharistic celebrations. Fr Stephen D’Souza, director, Divya Jyothi, conducted the religious ceremony during the Holy Eucharistic celebrations. Gregory Nelly Quadros and family, Simon Pressilla Machado, Bahrain, John Baptist and Family, Kalmady, Ronald Smitha Olivera Dubai, Fr Alban D’Souza, parish priest, Stella Maris Church Kalmady, and others were present.

Bishop Dr Gerald Isaac Lobo presided over the public felicitation programme. Bishop Dr Robert Miranda, bishop Dr Francis Serrao , minister for Sports, Fisheries, youths affairs and district in-charge minister Pramod Madhwaraj, MLC and chief whip government of Karnataka Ivan D’Souza, MP Oscar Fernandes, Fr Valerian Mendonca, chancellor, diocese of Udupi, Meenakshi Madhava Bannanje, president, CMC Udupi, Fr Alban D’Souza, and others were present on the dais.

Bishop Robert Miranda , Minister Pramod Madhwaraj, Bishop Gerald Isaac Lobo addressed the gathering. Bishop Dr Robert Miranda felicitated all the donors. Bishop Dr Gerald Isaac Lobo felicitated the main designers and the contractors.

Minister Pramod Madhwaraj released the souvenir of the newly built church. Louis Lobo read out the message of Pope Francis which was sent on the occasion of the inauguration.

Unique Concept and Architecture :

The concept behind the unique boat-shaped architecture of Stella Maris Church is Noah’s Ark. The Noah’s Ark is a biblical story, tells how all creation was safeguarded from being destroyed in flood. Similarly, the church aims to be the ark which will provide refuge to people and help them sail through hard times of life.

The new church has been built at a cost of Rs 5 crore and can accommodate 1,000 people at a time. The main altar is also designed in boat shape and the walls are adorned with beautiful paintings depicting the life of Jesus.

The Belfry tower

The belfry tower replicates the Kaup light house. The tower is nearly 80 ft in height and the staircase is also constructed similar to the lighthouse design. The bell is brought from Hamburg Germany and weighs 305 Kg. The image of Our Lady of Vailankani is carved on the Bell.

Just like the lighthouse guides sailors to the shore, the bell tower symbolizes being a ‘guide’. While the world is compared to a sea of temptation, the tower and the bell aim to remind people that Jesus saves us when we call upon him.

Also, Udupi being a coastal town, the boat-shaped church and the bell tower adds more charm to the city. A climb to the top of the tower provides a scenic view of the beautiful Kalmady surrounded by small ponds and lush fields.

Inauguration of Grotto and honorary pillar :

The honorary pillar and grotto of Our Lady of Velankanni was blessed and inaugurated at Stella Maris Church, Kalmady by Dr Gerald Isaac Lobo, bishop, Udupi Diocese on March 9, 2019. The donors were felicitated on the occasion.

Honorary Pillar

The Honorary Pillar at Kalmady is 43 feet tall. In the bottom of the pillar there are 8 divisions facing 8 sides. These divisions showcase a photo of new church and old church building on two sides, inauguration date of the pillar (09 March 2019) and name of Bishop of Udupi Diocese, photo of Our Lady of Velankanni and names of the donors. During 2 occasions in the year, flag will be hoisted over this pillar. They are on the first day of Novena before the annual feast of Our Lady of Velankanni Shrine, and on the annual feast of the church.

Fr Alban D’Souza was transferred to St Lawrence Minor Basilica as rector on July 5, 2021. Fr Baptist Menezes took charge as parish priest and Fr Roy Lobo as assistant parish priest.

Golden jubilee celebration of Stella Maris Church, Kalmady and Proclamation and Dedication of Kalmady’s Our Lady of Velankanni Centre as Diocesan Shrine

The golden jubilee celebration of Stella Maris Church, Kalmady was held on a grand scale on August 15, 2022. Meanwhile, Bishop of Udupi diocese, Dr Gerald Isaac Lobo proclaimed and dedicated Our Lady of Velankanni Shrine as a diocesan shrine.

Bishop Dr Gerald Isaac Lobo presided over the solemn Eucharistic celebrations, while Dr Peter Paul Saldanha, bishop, diocese of Mangalore, Dr Francis Serrao, bishop, diocese of Shimoga, Dr Henry D’Souza, bishop, diocese of Bellary, Dr Robert Miranda, bishop, diocese of Gulbarga, Dr Lawrence Mukkuzhy, bishop, diocese of Belthangady, Dr Geevarghese Mar Makarios Kalayil, bishop, diocese of Puttur, Fr Stany B Lobo, chancellor, diocese of Udupi, Fr Charles Menezes, dean, Udupi deanery, Fr Baptist Menezes, parish priest, Stella Maris Church, Kalmady, and other priests from the diocese and neighbouring dioceses were the co-celebrants. Bishop Francis Serrao delivered a meaningful homily.

In the formal felicitation programme held after the Eucharistic celebrations, Bishop Dr Gerald Isaac Lobo, presided over the felicitation program, while Bishop Dr Peter Paul Saldanha, Bishop Dr Francis Serrao, Bishop Dr Henry D’Souza, Bishop Dr Robert Miranda, Bishop Dr Geevarghese Mar Makarios Kalayil, Fr Stany B Lobo, Fr Charles Menezes, Fr Baptist Menezes, Fr Roy Melwyn Lobo,, and others were present on the dais.

On the occasion, the birthday of Bishop Dr Francis Serrao was celebrated by cutting a cake.

Fr Richard Mascarenhas, Fr Maxim Misquith and Fr Alban D’Souza who served as the parish priest at Stella Maris Church, Kalmady were felicitated by Bishop Dr Henry D’Souza.

Bishop Dr Robert Miranda felicitated Fr Wilson Vitus D’Souza, who had brought the miracle statue of Velankanni from Velankanni.

Bishop Dr Geevarghese Mar Makarios Kalayil felicitated pastoral council vice presidents, secretaries, gurkars, and 20 commissions coordinators who are serving and who have served during the last 50 years.

Bishop Peter Paul Saldanha released the golden jubilee memorial souvenir.

In the memory of the golden jubilee celebrations, a health fund of Stella Maris Church was launched by Bishop Dr Gerald Isaac Lobo.

On behalf of the diocese and parishioners, the Bishop Dr Lobo felicitated parish priest Fr Baptist Menezes and asst parish priest Fr Roy Lobo.

The stage programme was followed by a fellowship meal.

Parish Priests who have served the Parish since its inception :

Fr. Dennis Castelino (1991 - ...)

Fr. Robert Pinto

Fr Ivan Peter D'Mello (1998 - 2005)

Fr. Richard Mascarenhas , Fr.Maxim and Fr. Joseph D’Souza (Jesuits Parish priests from 2005 - 2012)

Fr Alban D'Souza (June 4, 2012 - July 5, 2021)

Fr Baptist Menezes (Jr) (from July 5, 2021 onwards)

(Complete list will be updated soon)

Compiled by Catholic Time Staff with inputs from vailankannikalmady.com

Last updated in Dec 2021.

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