Shrine Velankanni closed for devotees, holy masses restricted to thrice a day

The Kumbakonam Catholic Diocese which controls the basilica has also instructed the Church administration to keep away the devotees from gathering. However, three holy masses would be held in various churches daily.

The basilica used to have six holy masses everyday in different languages and the diocese administration has allowed the church authorities to hold three masses and restrict devotees gathering.

According to the officials from Velankanni, there will be two masses in Tamil at 6 am and 6.30 pm and in English at 10 am. All the three masses would be held in different churches like Main shrine, Upper Basilica and Our Lady’s tank premises.

The church administration said that it was a temporary arrangement till March 31 and the next course of action would be decided based on the instruction by the diocesan administration.

Since the Holy week prior to Easter falls on the first week of April, the officials said that the Catholic Bishops Conference of India would decide on the programme based on the instruction from the Pope.

Meanwhile, the Tamil Nadu Bishops Council has asked all the devotees to pray for the country while the Lenten season’s programmes have been cancelled.