Our Lady of Snows Shrine Basilica

Our Lady of Snows Shrine Basilica (Snows Basilica) at Tuticorin, was built during 16th century in the Portuguese architecture. In 1542 St. Francis Xavier visited the shrine(Tuticorin) to catechize the paravars, the indigenous people of the Pearl Fishery Coast, and to strengthen them in Christian faith. In 1982, when the Church of Our Lady of Snows celebrated its 400th anniversary, Pope John Paul II raised it to the status of Basilica through his apostolic letter Pervenute illa Dei Beatissimae Genitricis Effigies. The renowned shrine of virgin Mary stood up at seashore in the year 1582. Ever since all the devotees are blessed and cared by Mary.