KALLADITHIDAL (1835)

Patron                                                  :           St. Antony of Padua

Parish Priest                                         :           Fr.

Asst.                                                    :           Fr.

Address                                               :           St. Antony of Padua Church

                                                                        Kalladithidal - 630 401

                                                                        Sivagangai (Dt)

Cellphone                                            :

Catholics                                              :           00000

Non-Catholics                                      :           000000

Vocation          : Priests                                    :           14

                        : Sisters                                    :           27

Institutions                                           :           1. Sisters of  Holy Cross, Kalladithidal

                                                                        2. M.S.F.S. Fathers, Kalladithidal

                                                                        3. St. Francis Primary School, Suriankottai

                                                                        4. St. Antony's Middle School, Kalladithidal

                                                                        5. Arockia Annai Dispensary, Kalladithidal

History

             Kalladithidal, described by Fr. Besse as "almost at the center of Marava, one of the oldest Christian centers," has a rich history. In 1636, St. John de Britto visited Visvanur, one of the sub-stations of this parish. Christianity had already taken root in Kokkoorani by 1662, eventually becoming a separate parish in 1968.

Kalladithidal played a crucial role in the spread of Christianity in the region. Deputies from 22 villages traveled to Pondicherry from Kalladithidal to request missionaries to serve the community. Starting in 1835, it became the hub for the new society priests operating in East Ramnad. Over time, it also contributed to the establishment of other parishes like Orikkottai and Keelauchani C.K. Mangalam.