Azhagappapuram - St. Therasa's Statue

St. Therasa's Statue

Wishing to build a small church for St. Therasa, Rev. Fr. Dharmanathar (Jan 1926 Dec 1930), started construction work with the fistful of rice he received from the people of Azhagai. Rev. Fr. Thairiyanathar continued with the construction work (July 1931 July 1934). The finishing touches were given by Fr. Mariadhas. The saint's statue was crowned by the then Vadakankulam senior parish priest, Innasiyar. Because of the dismal economic and living conditions as well as lack of awareness of the importance of education, our school had to be shut down. However, the never-say-die spirit and the will power of Rev. Fr. Mariadhas banished the appalling conditions of the school. It re-opened soon after. By then, the lethal epidemic, cholera, started taking a heavy toll of the population of Azhagai. People were dying like flies. Fr. Mariadhas swung into action and ensured speedy supply of vital medicines and succor to the affected people, mitigating their suffering. It is believed that after the inception of St. Therasa's statue, cholera vanished from the face of Azhagai.