In the mid sixties, the Sacred Heart Parish of
Bangalore extended to areas like
Somanahalli, now known as Viveknagar which
were faraway for pastoral care. So, Rev.
Fr.Paul Kinatukara, the parish priest of the
Sacred Heart Church felt the need for a
separate parish for areas around Somanahalli
and undertook a vigorous unsuccessful
search for a suitable land.
One day as the Parish Priest was walking, he
entered a garden in Somanahalli. It was a
well maintained rose garden. He was
impressed. "If only I could get this land for
the Church" he wondered. "Oh! How nice it
could be". But then, he felt that it was
impossible, because over a lakh of roses were
exported per week from there. However he felt a mysterious power
overcoming him and made him resolve on the spot to buy this land at any
cost. With this frame of mind, he returned home. As days rolled by, on
suggestion, he prayed to the Infant Jesus of Prague [Nine hour Novena] for
two months for help in his quest for land. His prayers were immediately
answered and the rose garden was brought for a windfall price.
18th April, 1969, the foundation for a new church was laid by Most Rev.
Dr.S. Lourduswamy, the then Archbishop of Bangalore.
May 1971, Rev.Fr. L.Peter was appointed as the first parish priest of the new
church, who took steps to celebrate the holy mass on the newly acquired
land, brought the Infant Jesus statue from Sacred Heart church and installed
it in an improvised old tent and thus began the "Tent Church" which lasted
for over eight years.
The newly acquired land, popularly known as the "Rose garden" surrounded
by thick vegetation was infested with snakes and poisonous reptiles and with
no street lights was plunged in darkness at night. All this did not deter the
faithful who flocked to the church.
1972, this new parish was canonically erected by the Most Rev. Dr. P.
Arokiaswamy, the then Archbishop of Bangalore.
1974, the local authorities turned down the plan for the new Church for want
of the approval of the Bangalore Development Authority, but Fr.Peter
patiently toiled on.
26th October 1977, the powerful and miraculous intervention of Infant Jesus
finally enabled him to get the approval and the entire development charges
of Rs.50,000 was completely waived off, which was the first ever waiver in
the history of the Bangalore development authority. Since all the events
occurred on Thursday, the day was dedicated to Infant Jesus.
29th June 1979, the Most Rev. Dr.D.S.Lourduswamy, Secretary of the Sacred
Congregation for the Evangelisation of the people, came from Rome, blessed
and opened the new Infant Jesus Church in the presence of a very large
gathering of devotees of different faiths.
June 22nd 1989, Infant Jesus Shrine,
adjacent to the church, was blessed by His
Grace, the Most Rev. Dr.Alphonsus Mathias,
Archbishop of Bangalore and
opened to the faithful to honour
and glorify the divine Infant Jesus of
Prague.
June 9th, 2005, the new church was inaugurated by Most Rev. Dr. Bernard
Moras, Archbishop of Bangalore, Dedicated by His Excellency, Most Rev. Dr.
Pedro Lopez Quintana, Apostolic Nuncio in India; Blessing of the Tabernacle,
by Most Rev. Dr.
Ignatius Pinto,
Archbishop Emeritus,
Archdiocese of
Bangalore.
Designed by architects, Thomas Associates, it has a a fan shaped hall, to
accommodate about 2500 people with 9 faces and openings running all
round the church. In addition, there is a mezzanine area and basement
parking. The podium is raised above road level with steps and ramp on
either side. The interior of the church is so designed that wherever people
are
seated
they will
feel that
the altar
is facing
them. The main mural which is 6x9 metres replicates the nativity scene in
the nativity church of Jerusalem.
The Little King has been enthroned as the Great King of the world to assist
His subjects in their trials, difficulties, and crosses. He Who Himself has
suffered so much desires to assist those who come to Him. He wishes to
attract all hearts to His own through the attractiveness and simplicity of His
Divine Infancy.
The devotion to Infant Jesus has become widespread
and the Infant Jesus Shrine is now known as the
place of pilgrimage, miracles and Divine solace not
only in this state, but across the country. Thousand
of devotees from all faiths throng the shrine on
Thursday, to honour our Infant Jesus.
Honour the Divine Child in your homes and in your
hearts and the joy of His bountiful aid will be yours
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