THE ANNUAL FEAST OF “ SINTHATHIRAI  MAATHA”

Our Lady of Good Voyage at Chaddy, Kayts.

The church of Our Lady of Good Voyage is situated in a village called Chaddy, Velanai, Kayts in the Jaffna diocese. The origin of existence of this historic shrine dates back to Portuguese regime. It is said a Portuguese vessel lost its direction inthe Indian Ocean and found it difficult to reach the shore .The Captain of thevessel a firm believer of Blessed Virgin Mary prayed for their safety and bythe miraculous act of Blessed Virgin Mary the ship and its crew safely reachedthe shore of Chaddy .

History records that the Portuguese took possession of the place and built a Fortress in Chaddy with a chapel inside and placed the miraculous statue of Mother Mary which was with them on board and venerated her with piety and devotions and propagated her devotion among the inhabitants.

 During Portuguese regime the developments in the area created Velanai a Town  and Chaddy became the center of commercial activities with a Harbour and many Catholics from other parts of the Island settled in Chaddy for employments

Portuguese missionaries came to Jaffna in 1544 to propagate Christianity and built few churches in the peninsula and the church built at Chaddy was dedicated to our Lady of Good Voyage .When Dutch conquered and ruled Ceylon they destroyed all the places of worship and churches built by the Portuguese and persecuted theCatholics. It is believed when the Dutch vandals burnt this church the Catholics of the area removed the miraculous statue of Mother Mary and hid it in the near by Well for safety. After a long period of abandonment a Devotee learnt in her dreamthe presence of this miraculous statue and by the act of grace found the statue in the Well This is a unique Well which never goes dry and supplies browser full of drinking water during the drought season to the Leyland Island .The Catholics of the area built a cadjan shelter for worship and placed this miraculous statue of Mother Mary and venerated her with piety. The Catholics around the neighbouring Villages learnt the presence of this miraculous Mother Mary and flocked to pay their homage and seek her blessings

The then Bishop of Jaffna late Rt. Rev Dr. Gymour realizing the need of a church for the growing Catholics in this area, rebuild this church in 1928 with the help of the devotees and well wishers near the unique Well and placed the miraculous statue of Our Lady of Good Voyage on a beautifully carved wooden altar and venerated with much piety and devotion. Appointed a Parish Priest to look into the spiritual needs of the Catholics of Allaipiddy, Madaithivu, Mankumpaan, Naranthani and Chaddy.

During ethnic disturbances this church served as a place of worship and also became the center of refuge for the displaced. The present Bishop of Jaffna Rt. Rev
Dr. Thomas Savundranayagam the son of  the soil of “ Little Vatican “ an ardent believer of Blessed Virgin Mary continues his mission in propagating and inspiring the faithful to deepen their belief and trust in her protection and refuge and to sustain their faith in Blessed Virgin Mary when they are disturbed in their faith by the demand of the situation of the country .The place called “ Little Vatican “  is very popular among the Catholics in the Jaffna diocese, a tribute to this chosen land of God  which has brought forth  all the Six native Bishops of Jaffna and  Monsignor ,Vicar General, Rectors of Colleges, Superiors of Convents, many Priests and Nuns and Religious Lay Apostates serving in Lord’s vineyard here and abroad and also majority of the inhabitants are predominant Catholics from Portuguese regime

Rt. Rev Dr Savundranayagam explored all possibilities in converting the shrine to be one of the best pilgrim centers in the north by providing huts to stay, water tanks and other welfare facilities for the convenience of the devotees and pilgrims who flock to the shrine throughout the year. Realizing the accommodation in the open area porch is inadequate, he has built a large extension with an altar to conduct services opening on to the yard to ease out congestion of the congregation during the festive season.

This historic shrine with rare scenic beauty and environment has become a famous pilgrim center in the peninsula and attracts and draws in many pilgrims from all parts of the Island. The environment with soft sand and calm sea with shallow water nearby and Palmyra palms around the church enables the pilgrims to spend more days to enjoy their stay with prayers and relaxation. During the festive season the devotees flock in large numbers to invoke the blessings and thank for all the favours and protection received through the intercession of Our Lady of Good Voyage.

Rev.Fr. S Emmanuel O.M.I the then Parish Priest by his untiring efforts renovated the entire church which was damaged by the ethnic war and colour washed and beautified the surroundings The church of Our Lady of Good Voyage is dedicated and declared as the Pilgrim Centre in the Jaffna diocese having a permanent Parish Priest with public transport up to the shrine.

Our Lady of Good Voyage is called in Tamil Sinthathiri Maatha. The statue portrays Blessed Virgin Mary having child Jesus on one hand and a ship on the other. Blessed Mother of Good Voyage is popularly known as the Mother and Protector of Navigators and many invoke her for their safe voyage.

The miraculous statue which was treasured and venerated by our ancestors can be seen majestically adorned with a golden crown and jewels and placed on a beautifully designed wooden altar inside the newly renovated church.

Rev.Fr. Philips Stanislaus O.M.I the present Administrator of this Shrine of Our Lady of Good Voyage, Chaddy  is a gift from Madhu Shrine who has wealth of
knowledge and experiences in building up a Pilgrim Center. He has done marvelous improvements to uplift the image of this pilgrim shrine and has beautified the entire surroundings with lights and sound system. In the open yard  built cross roads connecting to main road and erected Way of the Cross stations  with life size colourful statues  which are very attractive and meaningful in exposing the torture and agony  Jesus Christ suffered in the hands of the Roman soldiers on His last journey to Calvary and death. Plenty of precious religious articles and books are made available for pilgrims to take home as a token of remembrance of their visits

The Church feast of Our Lady of Good Voyage “Chaddy Sinthathri Maatha” is celebrated annually on 24th September in a colourful and jubilant atmosphere. This year the hoisting of the flag staff will take place on 11th and after eight days of devotions and vespers in the evening , on the 19th the Eucharistic procession and the solemn festive vesper and benediction to be conducted. The feast will culminate with solemn festive High Mass celebration on 20th September 2008. The festive High Mass will be offered by Rt.Rev.Dr.Thomas Savundranayagam Bishop of Jaffna, Chief celebrant assisted by Fr.S.Philips OMI and Fr. Paul Nadchethiram OMI. and with other priests of the diocese. After the Holy Mass the statue of Our Lady of Good Voyage will be placed on a gaily decorated Chariot and taken around the church by the devotees in a colourful procession singing hymns “Veruththaam” in Tamil and reciting prayers. On its return to the Shrine the final act of prayer will be recited by one and all with love and gratitude for all the favours and blessings received through her intercession The feast ends with final blessing with the miraculous statue of Our Lady of Good Voyage and making it the biggest festival of the Parish. The “Little Vatican” faithful who lived in Our Lady of Good voyage faith and refuge but now scattered and live in other parts of the world continue to spread the good news in wherever they live and propagate the devotion of ‘Sinthathirai Maatha” with gratitude.--    

                                                                                 Ave Maria !!   Ave Maria !!!    Ave Maria !!!!                                   

S.B.DAVID