Nestled on the serene banks of Vembanad Lake in Alappuzha, Thanneermukkom Precious Blood Church holds a unique place in Catholic ecclesiastical history[cite: 15, 16]. Established in 1928, it stands as the only parish church across the entire continent of Asia dedicated to the Most Precious Blood of Jesus Christ[cite: 15].
“For you know that you were redeemed with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect.” — 1 Peter 1:18–19
1. The Foundation and Mission (1926–1928)
The origins of this sacred sanctuary trace back to 1926 when Msgr. Joseph Panjikaran visited Thanneermukkom for missionary propagation[cite: 16]. Recognizing the difficulties faced by local Christians in attending spiritual services, he pledged a sum of 4,000 rupees to construct a church[cite: 16].
In 1928, Precious Blood missionaries arriving from Kudavechoor with local faithful visited Thanneermukkom and presented a pouch of funds (panakkizhi) to the elders[cite: 16]. Their sole aspiration was that a church be erected here in the name of the Most Precious Blood[cite: 16]. Although the altar was initially dedicated to Our Lady of Sorrows (Vyakulambika), the elders testified that the sanctuary inherited the sacred title of Precious Blood Church in fulfillment of this pious bequest[cite: 16].
Chronology of Milestones
- July 11, 1928: Government permit application submitted (sanctioned under Order No. 352)[cite: 16].
- October 7, 1928: The first Holy Mass offered in a temporary shed[cite: 16].
- July 1931: Newly constructed church blessed by Vicar General Rt. Rev. George Vallyarampath[cite: 16].
- August 18, 1937: Elevated into a full-fledged independent parish church[cite: 16].
- May 4, 1984: Reconstructed church consecrated by Mar Sebastian Mankuzhikary, Bishop of Thamarassery and native son of this parish[cite: 15, 16].
2. Awakening of the Precious Blood Devotion
Though named after the Precious Blood in 1928, dedicated prayers and feast celebrations honoring the title developed decades later[cite: 15]. In July 2018, Vicar Fr. Joseph De Plackel introduced the Precious Blood Rosary to the parish community and distributed prayer books to family units[cite: 14, 15]. On July 14, 2018, the first dedicated Feast of the Precious Blood was offered at the altar. In July 2019, a 7-day Rosary observance culminated in the feast mass on July 14.
During the challenging days of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2021, Vicar Fr. Suresh Rocky Malpan gathered the faithful through online devotions for a 9-day Precious Blood Rosary in late July, concluding on the final Sunday.
3. Official Recognition and The 10-Day Annual Feast
In 2022, inspired by the Holy Spirit, Fr. Suresh Rocky Malpan authored the official Precious Blood Novena Prayer. For the first time in Thanneermukkom, the feast flag was raised, initiating an annual 9-day devotion from July 22 to July 31. Offerings of nerchakkanji (communion porridge), floral garlands, candles, and holy oil before the statue of the Precious Blood commenced on July 22, 2022.
On August 20, 2025, the official ecclesiastical approval of the Catholic Church for this Novena was formally granted by Archbishop Mar Joseph Pamplany. Since 2022, the parish celebrates a magnificent 10-day annual feast every year, drawing pilgrims from across Kerala and beyond seeking solace in the redeeming Blood of Christ.
“The redemption won on Calvary continues to flow as a fountain of healing at Thanneermukkom, where faithful pilgrims gather in unbroken prayer before the Most Precious Blood of our Lord.”
