It is well known that in 1895 the then Archbishop Mgr. Gandhi dedicated the Archdiocese of Pondicherry to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. His intention was to construct a special church in devotion of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. The parish priest Rev. Fr. Telesphore Welter drew the building plan and later the parish priest of the Cathedral, Rev. Fr. Fourcaud launched the construction work of the new church by 1902 at the Southern part of Pondicherry. After the first mass and blessing of the church were held at the western wing of the present structure in 1907, the new parish that surround the church was established in 1908. The centenary celebrations were held during 2008-2009 period with a special postal stamp and postal envelope released to mark the occasion together with the festivities. The Basilica of the Sacred Heart of Jesus which is located within easy reach of several Pondicherry hotel options such as Hotel Atithi, was then elevated to the status of minor basilica which later led to it being pronounced as a basilica in the name of the Holy See.
The elegant 100 year old historically significant church is 50 metres in length, 48 metres in breadth and 18 metres in height with Latin rite cross shape seen in aerial view in Gothic font style. The structure of the building is held by 24 main columns. At the top of the main entrance doorway you can see the Biblical verse inscribed from 2nd Chronicles 7:16 in Latin “sanctificavi locum istum, ut sit nomen meum ibi” that means “I have consecrated this house, that my name may be there forever. My eye and my heart will be there forever”.
When you walk inside, there are stained glass pictures of 28 saints related to the devotion of Sacred Heart of Jesus. The four evangelists’ statues are seen below where there are four lamp posts that describe their lives and inviting Jesus and the twelve apostles on the frontal façade.
Damon Starky is a creative nomadic travel writer, who is well informed and experienced on a wide range of interests that would connect to the needs of any type of traveler. Google+
