Chronology

1st Century

Approximately birth of St. Thomas

Before 52 AD

St. Thomas called by Jesus, Becomes his Disciple,
Events as mentioned about St. Thomas in the Gospel
(Mat 10:3. Mark 3:18, Luke 6, Jn 11:16, 20:24-28, 21:2,Acts 1:13),
Encounter with Risen Christ and touching his wounds
and declaring “My Lord and My God” as his faith statement,
Witnessing Assumption of Mary the Mother of God.

52 AD

Arrival in India, brought Painting of Mary Mother of God

52- 62 AD

Mission in Kerala, Built Seven and a Half Churches along the
banks of Periyar River and its tributaries.

62-66 AD

Mission in Little Mount, Chennai, Tamil Nadu

66-72 AD

Mission on this Holy Hill, Chiseled Stone Cross, wearing scapular of Mary the Mother of God, Praying and preaching about his experience with Jesus Christ

72 AD

Martyred on this Holy Hill, while praying before the Stone Cross, his body was laid on this Holy Hill by his believers and Later (year not known) shifted to Santhome

151 AD

A Stone Altar was raised on the spot of the martyrdom and his burial site and used for prayers by local believers

3rd Century

St. Ephrem records that some of the relics of St. Thomas were taken from India to Mesopotamia and then to Edessa. He writes a hymn in honour of St. Thomas and India.

883 AD

Ambassadors of King Alfred the Great of England visited this place of martyrdom – The Holy Site.

9th Century

The relics of St. Thomas were moved to Chios in the Archipelago

1292-1293

Marco Polo Lands in Coromandel Coast and visits the place of martyrdom – St. Thomas Mount and his tomb, collects soil from the very place of martyrdom and he records that the miraculous soil has healing power. He records that there existed a monastery
on this Holy Hill.

1498

Arrival of Portuguese in India

1523

Mr Diego Fernandes, a Portuguese built this Shrine on the spot of the Martyrdom, where an ancient pedestal/oratory also existed. They dedicated the Shrine to Our Lady of Expectation. This is the First Church in Honour of St. Thomas in India.

1534

The Shrine comes under the Diocese of Goa

1547

Fr. Gasper Coelho extended the Church to accommodate more devotees in the year 1547. They discover the Stone cross that was chiseled by St. Thomas and the ancient painting of Mary the Mother of God, while digging the foundation for extension of the Shrine.

1558

The Shrine comes under the Diocese of Cochin

1559

Bisnaga King heard of the Miraculous ancient painting of Mary the Mother of God at the Shrine and sent his soldiers to bring the painting to Chandragiri Fort. Later due to a bad dream and various difficulties faced by the King's wife, the same painting was returned to St. Thomas Mount Shrine on a chariot with due honour.

18.12.1558

The Stone Cross, chiseled by St. Thomas Shed Blood during the Mass that was celebrated by Rev. Fr. Gasper Coelho. It continued to shed blood for several years, on every 18th Day of December. This was witnessed and recorded by him and can still be seen in the Diocesan archives.

16th to 17th century

The Hill served as a light house to guide ships along
the Coromandel Coast.

1606

The Shrine comes under the new Diocese of Mylapore created by Pope Paul V

17th Century

Britishers name the Big Hill as St. Thomas Mount, in honour of St. Thomas.

1707

Mr. Zacharias extends the entrance of the Church and donates huge wooden doors at the entrance.

1726

Mr. Petrus Uscan, a rich and devout Armenian Merchant built the Grand Arch at the foot of the hill and laid 134 granite steps leading to the Shrine at the Hill top. He also donated artistically carved and beautifully painted wooden ambo and the sanctuary.

1902 March to April

The cholera epidemic outbreak and the visitors were forbidden to visit the hill Shrine.

05.09.1916

Rev. Fr. Dias arrives as resident Chaplain.

22.05.1917

A room is being built for the Chaplain on the hill.

08.01.1919

Visit of Apostolic Delegate Mgr. Fumasoni – Biondi with Bishop de Cartro, Vicar General Fr. Teixeira, Parish Priest Cabral and several other priests

02.12.1919

British Governor Lord Pentland and his wife Lady Pentland were frequent visitors to the Hill Shrine. He served as the Governor of Madras, British India was embroiled in the first early political career. They walked up the hill steps and went around the place.

04.03.1920

Surprise visit of Mgr. Pietro Pisani new Apostolic Delegate Emeritus to India.

21.08.1920

Rev. Fr. D'Souza comes as Chaplain to the Hill Shrine

13.01.1921

Mgr. Pietro Pisani, new Apostolic Delegate offers Mass at the Hill Shrine.

14.01.1921

Visit of Arthur – Duke of Connaught accompanied by 8 other officers. Bishop De Castro of Mylapore, Mgr. Teixeira and Fr. Cabral are also on St. Thomas Mount to receive them.

08.12.1923

Lady Willington, the wife of the British Governor visited the Hill Shrine.

05.02.1925

Visit of the Apostolic Delegate accompanied by Bishop de Castro. Arranged by Fr. Motha Vaz, Parish Priest.

06.10.1926

Visit of the Apostolic Delegate Mgr. Edward a. Mooney

1927

Visit of the Governor Lord Goshen with Lady Goshen.

26.06.1927

Visit of His Excellency Bishop Constantine, Apostolic Delegate of Indo-China, accompanied by the Vical General of Madras.

12.12.1928

Unexpected visit of the new Bishop Antonio Maria Teixeira to the Hill Shrine.

13.12.1929

Visit of the Viceroy of India Lord Irwin at the suggestion of King George V. (George Frederick Ernest Albert was the King of the United Kingdom) Bishop Teixeira led them to the sanctuary and explained the history.

10.12.1931

Visit of Mgr. Roche of Tuticorin – the first Indian Bishop of Latin Rite to Hill Shrine.

02.03.1932

Visit of Mgr. Ivanios, Archbishop of Trivandrm to Hill Shrine

18.06.1933

Visit of the Bishop of Nellore (Bishop Bouter) to Hill Shrine

27.03.1934

Visit of Bishop Carlos De Sa Fragoso to Hill Shrine

15.10.1934

Pastoral Visit of Bishop Fragoso accompanied by Mgr. Carvalho and three other priests.

07.02.1935

Surprise visit of the Governor and George 11 King of the Hellenes (Greece, officially the Hellencis Republic, is a country located in Southeast Europe) with other Lords and Ladies.

1935

Unexpected visit of the wife of the Governor and George 11 King of the Hellenes with other Lord and ladies to the Hill Shrine.

21.08.1920

Visit of the Apostolic Delegate Mgr. Leo P. Kierkele to the Hill Shrine.

22.08.1937

Visit of the new Bishop – Dom Manuel De Medeiros Guerreiro to the Hill Shrine.

27-30.12.1937

Eucharistic Congress at Madras. Hence many pilgrims visited St. Thomas Mount – including Bishops, priests and lay people from Asian Countries, Europe and America.

22.04.1942

The second world war was a global conflict that lasted from 1939 to 1945. During this time no official visitors came to visit the Shrine.

15.08.1947

Celebrated the First Independence Day at Hill Shrine

18.02.1948

Visit of Incognito of Conseiller de la Delegation Apostolic Mgr. Egideo Vagnuzzi, enroute from Colombo where he was Papal Envoy for the occasion of the Independence of Ceylon.

16.01.1949

Visit of the Prefect Apostolic de Jhansi F.X. Fenech O.F.M Cap. With his secretary to the Hill Shrine.

26.01.1950

Celebration of Republic of India at Hill Shrine.

19.11.1950

Circular letter from Bishop Guerreiro, read after the Gospel, announcing the end of the Portuguese Padroado and the Diocese of Mylapore passed over to the jurisdiction of the Sacred Congregation of Propagation of faith.

13.11.1952

The Shrine comes under the new Archdiocese of Madras-Mylapore

07.03.1952

Erection of the metallic statues of the Stations of the cross, imported from Italy were installed along the steps leading to the Shrine on the Hill.

07.11.1952

Mgr. Louis Mathias as Archbishop took charge of the new Archdiocese of Madras – Mylapore.

22.12.1952

Surprise visit of Cardinal Gilroy to the Holy Shrine and Four Australian Priests accompanied by Archbishop Louis Mathias of Madras – Mylapore. The Cardinal came as the representative of the Holy Father for the 19th Centenary of St. Thomas Arrival in India.

14.09.1956

Visit of Mgr. Antony Padiyara Bishop of Ooty

04.03.1957

Visit of the Governor Mr. A.J. John with the lady Sheriff to the Shrine.

17.09.1960

Visit of Cardinal Agagianian to the Hill Shrine.

1962

Chennai Calvary was built on the occasion of the Golden Jubilee of Archbishop Louis Mathias SDB.

1962

Archbishop Louis Mathias, with the help of the Indian Army, paved the road for motor vehicles to reach the Shrine

26.01.1964

Visit of the King and Queen of Belgium.

04.08.1965

Death of Archbishop Louise Mathias of Madras – Mylapore.

20.02.1966

Mgr. R. Arulappa appointed as Archbishop of Madras – Mylapore. He was consecrated on 25.03.1966.

1972

The 19th Centenary celebration of the martyrdom of St. Thomas was held in April 1972 on this Holy Hill.

06.02.1983

Visit of the Minister General of the Franciscans to the Shrine.

04.11.1985

Visit of the Pro-Nuncio Agostino Cacciavillan, Archbishop, Papal guards, other bishops and Govt. officials to Mount, the place for Holy Father's Visit.

05.02.1986

The great Day in the history of St. Thomas Mount was 5th February 1986, when his Holiness Pope John Paul II visited and prayed at St. Thomas Mount Shrine. He arrived at 11.20 am. Archbishop R. Arulappa accompanied his Holiness. St. Pope John Paul II prayed at the Miraculous bleeding stone cross, and at the Chennai view point stood and prayed and blessed the faithful and the City.

01.09.1986

Visit of Rev. Jose T Sanchez Secretary to the Cardinal for Evangelization of peoples (Propaganda Fide)

15.03.1999

Mrs. Usha Narayan wife of Honourable President of India, the First Lady visited the St. Thomas Mount Shrine

11.09.1999

Cardinal Lourdusamy visited the Shrine, being his 75th Birthday.

15.01.2000

Most Rev. Lorenzo Baldissseri – Apostolic Nunciature of the Holy See to India came with Archbishop Aruldoss James from Mylapore. They visited the Shrine

13.12.2000

Visit of Major General Mr. Sudhir Mohan and Major Robin Fernandes.

08.03.2002

Most Rev. Siber – Apostolic Nunciature of the Holy See to India came with Auxiliary Bishop Lawrence Pius from Mylapore. Bishop Amalanathar too was present. They visited the Shrine.

19.07.2002

The Diocese of Chingleput was established on 19.07.2002, from territory taken from the Archdiocese of Madras and Mylapore, under the leadership of Anthonisamy Neethinathan. He is the first bishop of Chingleput. The bishop house is located in JK Nagar, Chingleput.

29.09.2002

Consecration of New Bishop Neethinathan for Chingleput. Principal Consecrator Archbishop Arul Das Madras Mylapore and Principal Co-Consecrators Archbishop Michael Augustine – Pondicerry and Cuddalore and Bishop Edward Francis – Sivagangai.

2002

Shrine Comes under the Diocese of Chingleput

03.07.2003

The Shrine is proclaimed as the Diocesan Shrine of the Diocese of Chingleput.

21.05.2006

Nuncio for India, His Excellency Pedro Lopez Quintana visited the Shrine as a pilgrim

26.07.2006

Bishops from TNBC together visited the Shrine, offered mass and inaugurated the images of St. Thomas' Martyrdom at the entrance of the Shrine

26.08.2006

His Excellency Cardinal Simon Lourdusamy visited the Shrine and Blessed the New Adoration Chapel.

26.11.2006

A religious fanatic killed the Shrine Manager.

30.01.2007

His Eminence Keith Patrick Cardinal O'Brien Archbishop and Metropolitan visited the Shrine. He is from Edinburg – Scotland.

09.03.2008

Major General Mr. Ravishankar's wife visited St. Thomas Mount Shrine

16.07.2010

Tamil Nadu Bishops Council Solemnly declares the Shrine to be raised to the Shrine of Regional Status.

18.12.2010

A new statue of Our Lady of Expectation was designed, blessed and dedicated to the faithful for prayers and intercession.

08.01.2011

Nuncio to India, His Excellency Most Rev. Salvatore Pennacchio declared the Shrine as a National Shrine in the presence of 118 bishops, 200 priests, 500 religious and around 30000 faithful. At 8 pm Reception and Felicitation to the special guests. Honourable Deputy Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu Dr. M.K. Stalin and Honourable Ministers Mr. Anbarasan and Mr. A. Suresh Rajen were present.

01.01.2012

A separate area allocated to preserve and venerate 124 certified relics of 124 saints including those of the Apostles

11.02.2013

Head of Dicastery for Evangelization, Vatican Curia, His excellency Cardinal Fernando Filoni, President of CBCI, His excellency Cardinal Oswald Gracias, Apostolic Nuncio to India his excellency Most Rev. Salvatore Pennacchio visited the Shrine and celebrated Holy Mass

10.03.2016

Bishop Cajetan Francis Osta, Diocese of Muzaffarpur, visited National Shrine

03.02.2018

Justice Kurian Joseph, Judge, Supreme Court of India, New Delhi visited and participated in Holy Mass at Hill Shrine.

20.12.2019

The COVID – 19 pandemic a global outbreak of coronavirus, an infectious disease caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus.

20.12.2019

From 20.12.2019 to 4th September 2020 no common Holy Mass in the Shrine. Private Mass was celebrated.

20.11.2022

Quincentenary celebrations (1523 – 2023) in honour of the 500 blessed years of St. Thomas Mount National Shrine were inaugurated by Apostolic Nuncio to India, His Excellency
Most Rev. Leopoldo Girelli in the presence of
Most Rev. Dr A. Neethinathan, the Bishop of Chingleput and clergy and faithful of the Diocese

2023

Year Long Quincentenary celebrations with various Liturgical, Spiritual and cultural activities throughout the year.

04.02.2023

Calvary of St. Thomas depicting the last moments of the Martyrdom of St. Thomas on this Holy Hill in 72AD, Was Blessed and opened by Most Rev. Dr. Neethinathan, Bishop of Chingleput as part of Quincentenary Celebrations.

01.03.2023

His Eminence Cardinal Anthony Poola, Archbishop of Hyderabad and delegates from Rome visited the Shrine

22.08.2023

Visit of Sri John Barla, Honourable Union Minister of State for Minority Affairs.

03.10.2023

One of the Directors of WHO visited the Shrine.

14.04.2024

New facilities like St. Thomas Information Centre - a museum, Relic Chapel and Chennai panoramic View were completed in commemoration of the 1950th Anniversary of the Martyrdom of St. Thomas, the Apostle of India at St. Thomas Mount, Chennai and as part of the 500th year Jubilee Celebration of St. Thomas Mount National Shrine .

2024

Restoration and renovation works of St. Thomas Mount National Shrine in progress.

22.08.2024

His Eminence Cardinal Felipe Neri Ferrão
The Archbishop of Goa & Daman and President of Conference of Catholic Bishops of India His Eminence Cardinal Anthony Poola, Archbishop of Hyderabad His Eminence Cardinal Dieudonné Nzapalainga, Archbishop of Bangui, Central African Republic along with 34 Bishops celebrated the Holy Mass at St. Thomas Mount National Shrine