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Vellore Diocese

The Diocese of Vellore was started by Salesians in the year 1952 carving out a portion from the Archdiocese of Madras-Mylapore. Further in 1969, few parishes from the Archdiocese of Pondicherry-Cuddalore were attached to this Diocese. It comprises two civil districts namely Vellore and Tiruvannamalai. There are 87 parishes having Catholic population of 1,50,000.
  • Details
  • Name : Catholic Diocese of Vellore
  • Diocesan Patroness : Mary Help of Christians
  • Secondary Patron : St Dominic Savio
  • Secondary Patroness : St Maria Goretti
  • Location : Vellore, Tamil Nadu, India
  • Area : 12,265 Sq.Kms
Diocese details
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Vicariate Geographical
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Rev. Msgr. I. John Robert
( Diocesan Administrator )

Vicariate

Parishes

Sub-Stations

Anbiams (BCC)

Associations / Clubs

Families

Schools

Colleges

Diocese

Vicariate

The eight vicariates of the Diocese have also Vicars Forane (dean) duly appointed. Eight Vicariates with its parishes are given below
  • Arakonam - Vicariate of Sacred Heart Of Jesus
  • Chetpet - Vicariate of Our Lady Of Lourdes
  • Polur – Vicariate of Sacred Heart Of Jesus
  • Tirupattur - Vicariate of Mary Help Of Christinas
  • Thiruvannmalai – Vicariate of Ulaga Madha (Regina Mundi)
  • Vandavasi – Vicariate of Scared Heart Of Jesus
  • Vellore cathedral- Vicariate Of Mary Help Of Christians
  • Vettavalam - Vicariate Of Immaculate Heart Of Mary

Parishes

Diocese of Vellore comprises of two civil districts namely Vellore and Thiruvannamalai. There are 87 canonically erected parishes and 2 mission stations. All the parishes have resident priests. In 22 parishes there are also Assistant Parish Priests at present. Most of the parishes have substations. Many parishes are remote villages having poor road facility. Only a few parishes are self-sufficient out of the 89 parishes.
  • 73 Parishes run by Diocesan Priests
  • 14 Parishes run by Congregations Priests
  • 2 Mission Stations

Institutions

Our Catholic institutions, orphanages, colleges and schools take their place and give their children a Christian education. In Catholic Schools we have daily catechism classes for Catholic students. During this time general moral instruction is given to all non-Catholic students.
  • Schools
  • Technical Institute
  • Arts and Science Colleges
  • Professional Colleges
  • Hospitals
  • Orphanages

Priest Forum

Bishops

Totally 6 bishops were appointed, they are Bishop Paul Mariaselvam SDB (1953-54), Bishop David Marianayagam SDB (1956-69), Bishop Rayappan Antony Muthu (1971-80), Bishop Michael Augustine (1981-92), A.M. Chinnappa SDB (1994-2005) and Bishop Soundararaju Periyanayagam SDB (2005-2020)

Diocesan

There are 163 diocesan priests in our diocese. They are indigenous and are incardinated into the Diocese. The Curia gives Mass offerings to all the priests, who need them. The residence for the sick and aged priests is located at Madha Hill, Chetpet. They have a chapel where Blessed Sacrament is reserved for their Holy Mass and frequent visits and prayer.

Religious

12 Men Religious Congregations are rendering their wonderful service in various forms in the Diocese. 31 Women Religious Congregations are rendering their ministry in various forms in the Diocese Religious of these periodically gather in the bishop house to discuss the various problems that they encounter their ministry.

Diocesan Priests

Curia and Other Categories

There are nearly 110 priests working in and around diocese.

The List as follows

In Foreign and On Leave

Nearly 70 priest are working in abroad and other places

The List as follows

Obituary

We honour and remember the grateful services of the Priests.

The List as follows

Evangilization

COMMISSIONS

Various commissions are established to coordinate various programmes in the Diocese. Each commission has a secretary who coordinates programmes in the Vicariate and Diocesan level. He also cooperates with corresponding regional commission of Tamil Nadu Bishops’ Conference (TNBC) in macro level. Various commissions of our Diocese are given below:
  • Pastoral Commissions
  • Social Commissions
  • Formative commissions

COMMITTEES

Each Committees has Bishop as President and VG as Vice-President. Each Committees has a team of Priests and they look forward in various decision which ae based on respective committees. Dioceses has committees as
  • Finance Committee
  • Education Committee
  • Pastoral Project Committee
  • Social Project Committee

PIOUS GROUPS

All the pious associations in the parishes and institutions are animated well by a team of priests. They are oriented to impart religious education to the youth and children. The motto of one of the Association the Legion of Mary is purely in spirituality aimed in “Self Salvation and Salvation for others”. The principal lay Associations are the following: (list)
  • Legion of Mary
  • St.Vincent de Paul Society
  • Basic Christian Community (BCC)

RELIGIOSITY

Formation to grow in Divine Path is calling of the divine spirit to serve him and the human person through various activities like The main aspects of the popular religiosity are
  • Girivalam
  • Lenten pilgrimage to different
  • Pathayathirai-Foot pilgrimage
  • St.Antony’s devotion at Viruduvilanginaan

Schemes

Social Service

Besides Evangelization, Catechism and other Faith Formation programmes, our diocese fully involves in the social and economic growth of people. The three official wings of the Social Apostolate of the Diocese are:
  • VSSS (Vellore Social Service Society)
  • TVMSSS (Thiruvannamalai Multipurpose Social Service Society)
  • CODEP (Community Development Programmes)

Scholarships/ Financial Supports

A Scholarship is given to those who are studying schools, Graduation Courses and professional course, such as Medicine, Engineering, Computer Science, ITI, Nursing, etc. It is an incentive to them to meet their expenses, in some way.
  • Educational Scholarship by VSSS
  • CODEP Sponsorship Programme for Dalits: [CSPD]
  • Diocesan Educational Scholarship for Higher Education
  • Housed Loan Scheme for the teachers

Projects

Diocese helps to develop the economic status of the parishioners and parish through projects. Some of the projects raised under the categories Fire victims, Flood, Drought, Refugees Relief, Community Hall, Schools, Toilet Facilities, Self-Employment, Computer Training Centre, Evening Classes, Water Facilities, Education scholarship, Tailoring machine, Widows Welfare, Handicapped, Self-help Groups and Housing

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News Letter

Updated / 1st April, 2024

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Chronicles

Updated / 24th April, 2024

Readings & Sermons

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