What Makes Chennai’s Annai Vailankanni Shrine a Minor Basilica?

The Annai Vailankanni Shrine at Besant Nagar in Chennai has been elevated to the status of a Minor Basilica by Pope Leo XIV, recognising its longstanding importance as a centre of pilgrimage, prayer and pastoral ministry. The papal decree was formally proclaimed on September 21, 2026, during a solemn celebration attended by thousands of priests, religious and lay faithful from Chennai and other parts of Tamil Nadu. The ceremony began with a procession of archbishops, bishops and priests, followed by a Solemn High Mass presided over by Archbishop George Antonysamy of Madras-Mylapore. Bishops from Tamil Nadu and neighbouring states concelebrated the Eucharist. Monsignor Andrea Francia, Chargé d’Affaires ad interim of the Apostolic Nunciature to India, represented the Holy See and formally proclaimed the decree elevating the shrine to a Minor Basilica. The decree was dated April 25, 2026, and was issued by the Dicastery for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments. It was signed by Cardinal Arthur Roche, Prefect of the Dicastery, and Archbishop Vittorio Francesco Viola OFM, Secretary. The decree was proclaimed in Latin, Tamil and English during the celebration. From a Small Chapel to a Major Shrine During his homily, Archbishop Antonysamy recalled the humble beginnings of the shrine. In 1970, a small thatched chapel was established through the initiative of Fr P.T. Arulappa. Fishermen and their families gathered there to pray before Our Lady of Good Health. The chapel later developed into a brick church and eventually became a shrine. A belfry was added, followed by the construction of a larger church in 1985. Over the years, the shrine expanded to include an Eucharistic Chapel, Reconciliation Chapel, grotto, Mother Mary’s Square and Stations of the Cross. The shrine was officially recognised as an Archdiocesan Shrine in 2005. The present Shrine Church was solemnly blessed and dedicated in 2021. Archbishop Antonysamy described the elevation to Minor Basilica as another important chapter in the shrine’s journey. He encouraged Catholics not to focus only on the physical building but also to become “living stones” of the Church. He further called on the shrine to remain a place of welcome and encounter that reaches beyond boundaries of religion, region, caste and language. A Place of Pilgrimage and Service Monsignor Francia said that the elevation should not be viewed simply as an honour. Instead, he described it as an invitation to deeper communion with God, Mary, the universal Church and the local Church. The Annai Vailankanni Shrine continues to welcome pilgrims and visitors through faith formation, evangelisation, Eucharistic devotion, reconciliation and social outreach. The shrine's elevation to Minor Basilica formally recognises its continuing role as an important centre of prayer, pilgrimage and pastoral ministry in Chennai and beyond. The celebration brought together Church leaders, clergy, religious and lay faithful, marking a significant moment in the history of the shrine and the Archdiocese of Madras-Mylapore.