About Divine Mercy Church
at Kelambakkam, Chennai
About Divine Mercy Church
Divine Mercy Church is located in Kelambakkam (OMR Road) in the civil district of Chengalput, in Tamil Nadu, India. It is managed by MSFS Fathers (Congregation of Missionaries of St. Francis De Sales).
Divine Mercy Church belongs to the South-East India province and it functions under the Diocese of Chengalput canonically. This parish was bifurcated and erected as an independent parish in 1996. The special devotion of the parish is Divine Mercy.
This present church is a great monument epitome of catholic churches in Rome. This grandeur church is dedicated to Divine Mercy, the Lord of mercies who bestows abundant blessings to the faithful.
The Divine mercy stands as the pinnacle of Kelambakkam and the facelift for the whole of OMR –Kelambakkam. The church is built in commemoration of the Silver Jubilee of the parish as well as in memory of the 175th Anniversary of the First MSFS landing in India ( Pondicherry).
The foundation was laid on the 14th of June 2015 by Most Rev. Dr.Neethinathan, Bishop of Chengalpet, and the church was completed by 13th of February 2021, being blessed by Most Rev. Dr. Neethinathan, and opened by Rev. Fr. K. Ignacimuthu, MSFS Provincial Superior of South-East India province, Trichy.
This spectacular and beautiful church is the brainchild of Fr. J. Stephen, MSFS. He has built this Catholic Church with the great help of the parishioners of Kelambakkam. Today Divine mercy church stands as an incredible, amazing, and spectacular sky-height Dome hallmark of the place and the year 2021.
The meaningful symbols, beautiful pictures of Glass paintings, Gothic-styled statues, and enriching, expressive wall representations of Divine mercy form the spirituality of Catholicism.
The golden plated honored sanctum santorum becomes the pinnacle of the altar. The divinely graced portrayal of divine mercy draws every devotee to devotion and piety.
Fr. Mermier Multipurpose Hall
A well-furnished, spacious and accommodative party hall is located down the church named after Fr. Mermier the founder of MSFS Congregation. Celebrations and Events like Marriage, Baptisms, Communion, Birthdays etc can be held in the Hall. This large hall has access to food catering and other facilities.
Christ the Redeemer Parish
The parish at Kelambakkam had its beginning in 1939 during the time of Fr. Jeganthan who was called the Father of Covelong. Fr. K.M. Joseph made an immense contribution to Kelambakkam catholic community by its erection as a substation of Covelong then in the Archdiocese of Madras and Mylapore. In the milestone of Kelambakkam catholic church and community at the time of Fr. K. M. Joseph is known as Golden Era for his multifaceted ministries done to church and community. The Jesuits catered to the spiritual needs of the Kelambakkam in 1996. Then the Missionaries of St. Francis de Sales was entrusted with the Parish and Fr. Britto Francis MSFS (1996-1998) was the first parish priest, subsequently, Fr. A. Luckas, MSFS (1998-2000), Fr. P. Stephen, MSFS (2000-2004), Fr. Edward MSFS (2004 – 2010), Fr. R. Mathias MSFS (2010-2012), Fr. J. Stephen MSFS (2012-2021) and Fr. A. Jeyaseelan MSFS ( 2021)
The parish has a catholic population of 3500 spread throughout Kelambakkam. Kelambakkamis become a hub of IT village. Huge apartments and sophisticated housings sprout out as mushrooms every day. The area is increasingly seen as a desirable part to live in. The Parish has a substation namely Thaiyur – Sagayamatha chapel (Estd.1985).
Divine Mercy church nurtures the faith of the church members through daily services. The day is started with Adoration and Chaplet of Divine Mercy at 6.00 am and followed by the Holy Mass. Every Friday is dedicated to Divine Mercy. On Fridays, there will be a special Adoration, Worship, Chaplet of Divine Mercy, and Holy Mass at 3.00 pm. In addition to it on First Fridays special preacher is invited to enrich the liturgy and sharing of the word of God. Fellowship meal is served after the mass. On Sundays the services are held at 6.30 am-Tamil, 8.30 am-Tamil, 10.30 am – English, and 6.15 pm-Tamil. On Tuesday and Saturdays evening mass is available at 6.30 pm. In order to cater to the needs of English faithful English mass is arranged on Tuesday at 6.30 am.
Feast Days
Parish feast is celebrated on 14th, 15th, 16th January every year in a very grand manner with Flag Hoisting, High Holy Mass, and procession of the Chariot followed by a fellowship meal.
The feast of Divine mercy which is a special devotion is celebrated after the Sunday of Easter. It starts with the flag hoisting and proceeds with the series of Holy masses from 6.00 am onwards and ends with the procession of the Divine Mercy statue.
Lay involvement is encouraged in the worship and the liturgy as to reading, leading intercessions, ministry of communion, serving at the altar, singing in the choir. Every Sunday is organized by each Bcc and pious associations.
We maintain an open approach in our response to requests for house blessings, visiting the sick, baptisms, wedding, funerals, and prayer requests.
Our Administrators
Fr A Jeyaseelan, MSFS
Parish Priest