“I came to Our Lady when my son was in hospital and I had no words left to pray. I only sat before her. He came home well, and I have never stopped thanking her.”
MMaria SelviBesant Nagar, Chennai
Annai Vailankanni Shrine Basilica. Hope for all.
A place of worship, pilgrimage and healing in Besant Nagar, Chennai — open every day of the year and welcoming nearly a million pilgrims annually.
Holy Mass & Devotions
Mass Timings
| Time | Language | Particulars |
|---|---|---|
| 06.15 am | Tamil | Holy Mass |
| 07.45 am | English | Holy Mass · Catechism Children |
| 09.00 am | Tamil | Holy Mass · Catechism Children |
| 12.00 noon | Tamil | Holy Mass |
| 05.00 pm | Tamil | Holy Mass |
| 06.30 pm | English | Holy Mass |
Prayer to Our Lady of Good Health
Prayer of Consecration
O Compassionate Mother, Consoler and Healer of the afflicted, we have gathered here in your abode in faith and full of confidence in you, our intercessor. We fly to your patronage and implore your protection, O Mother, against all snares and temptations of the devil. Help us, above all things, to love and live for Jesus.
O most powerful Mother of our Lord Jesus, we beseech your love and protection for the poor, the downtrodden and the orphans. O most gracious Mother, who grants all that we ask for, without fail, wipe away our tears and sufferings. Keep us safe from all dreaded diseases that torment us, and help us in our poverty and hunger. Give us everlasting peace and joy. Lead and guide us to a happy, contented life. Protect us from all dangers and grant us good health in body and mind.
Help us all in our spiritual and temporal needs. Despise not our petitions, but in your mercy hear and answer our prayers through your Son Jesus Christ, our Lord and Saviour. Amen.
Our Lady of Good Health, pray for us.
அருள் மழை பொழியும் ஆரோக்கியத் தாயே, துன்பப்படுவோரின் துயர் துடைக்கும் தயைமிகு தாயே, இதோ அசைக்க முடியாத முழு நம்பிக்கையுடன் உமது திருத்தலத்தில் கூடியுள்ளோம், உமது வல்லமையுள்ள மன்றாட்டினால், எங்களைக் காத்தருளும், நாங்கள் எவ்விதத் தவறிலும் கேட்டிலும் விழாதபடி எங்களைக் கரம்பிடித்து வழி நடத்தும் தாயே, எல்லாவற்றிற்கும் மேலாக, இறை இயேசுவையே அன்பு செய்யவும், அவருக்காகவே வாழவும், எங்களுக்குத் துணை செய்வீராக, ஏழைகளையும், ஆதரவற்றவர்களையும், அன்புடன் அரவணைக்கும் அன்னையே, எங்கள் ஆண்டவர் இயேசு கிறிஸ்துவோடு ஒன்றித்திருக்கின்ற நீர், சக்தி மிக்கவளாய் இருக்கின்றீர் அம்மா, நாங்கள் கேட்பதைத் தட்டாமல் தருகின்ற அன்புத் தாயே, துன்ப துயரங்களிலிருந்து எங்களைக் காப்பாற்றும், தீராத வியாதி வருத்தங்களிலிருந்து விடுவித்தருளும், வறுமையில் வாடும் எங்கள் வாழ்வை வளமாக்கும், அமைதியின்றி அலையும் எங்களுக்கு ஆறுதல் தாரும், வாழ்வதற்கு அறியாது வருந்தும் எங்களுக்கு வாழ வழிகாட்டும், எங்கள் குடும்பங்களையும், தொழிலையும் ஆசீர்வதித்து பாதுகாத்தருளும் தாயே. ஆமென்.
புனித ஆரோக்கிய அன்னையே, எங்களுக்காக வேண்டிக்கொள்ளும்.
❦
With prayerful wishes…
- Rev. Fr. E. Arulappa, Rector & Parish Priest
- Rev. Fr. T. Swamynathan, Financial Administrator
- Rev. Fr. Susai Antony, Spiritual Director
- Rev. Fr. Michael, SDC, Asst. Parish Priest
- Rev. Fr. G. Jeswin Raj, Asst. Parish Priest
About the Shrine
Serving the pilgrims of Our Lady since 1972
Where the sea meets Our Lady of Good Health, all are welcomed.
Annai Vailankanni Shrine Basilica has grown from a thatched shed by the sea into a house of prayer for nearly a million pilgrims a year — open every day for Holy Mass, Confession and Adoration.
Come, sit, and speak to Our Lady of Good Health, the Mother who listens.
வாருங்கள், அமருங்கள்.
Church History
A journey of faith by the sea
Scroll to travel through the years.
197019721973200520172021Every year2026
1970
A thatched shed by the sea
It began with a thatched shed — a little shade against the salt wind — and a faith far larger than its roof. Fishermen and their families gathered here to pray to Our Lady of Good Health.
1972
The Shrine takes root
The belfry rises over Besant Nagar. From this year the Shrine counts its service to the pilgrims of Our Lady.
1973
The first church is blessed
More than fifteen thousand gathered, many of them from other faiths. They came anyway, because here no one is a stranger.
2005
A growing pilgrimage
Nearly a million hearts find their way here each year. They arrive carrying sorrow, and many leave carrying peace.
2017
Foundation stone of the new church
Laid on 16 October 2017 by Most Rev. Dr. George Antonysamy, Archbishop of Madras-Mylapore, in the presence of parishioners and devotees — Rev. Fr. B.K. Francis Xavier, Rector & Parish Priest.
2021
The new church is blessed
On 8 December 2021, the Feast of the Immaculate Conception, the new church with its twin spires and blue dome was blessed and dedicated.
Every year
Feast of Our Lady
From 29 August the flag rises and the shore begins to fill. Evenings turn to prayer, procession and song until 8 September, the Birthday of Our Lady.
2026
Raised to a Minor Basilica
On 21 September 2026 the Shrine was raised to the dignity of a Minor Basilica — received with gratitude, welcoming all who come to Our Lady of Good Health.
A Word from the Rector
“Come to Our Mother, and she will lead you to her Son.”
Dear pilgrims and friends, welcome to the Annai Vailankanni Shrine Basilica. For generations, Our Lady of Good Health has gathered her children here in Besant Nagar — the sick and the searching, the grateful and the grieving — and no one who kneels at her feet goes unheard.
Rev. Fr. E. ArulappaRector & Parish Priest · Annai Vailankanni Shrine Basilica, Besant Nagar
Support the Shrine
Works of mercy & hope
Care for the Poor
The Shrine reaches out to poor and needy families with care and support. This work is carried out by the Shrine in the spirit of Our Lady of Good Health, who watches over all her children.
Education for Children
The Shrine supports the education of children from families in need, so that every child has the opportunity to learn and grow. This work is carried out by the Shrine with the help of the parish community.
Care for Widows
The Shrine stands with the widows of our community with care and support. This work is carried out by the Shrine in the spirit of the Christian call to look after widows and those in need.
Favours received
Words from our pilgrims
“We have offered the First Saturday Novena here for eleven years. Whatever the year has held, the Mother has carried our family through it.”
AAnthony RajThiruvanmiyur
“We were married at the Shrine and returned with our daughter for her Baptism. This is where our family began and where we bring every joy and every worry.”
JJenifer & ArulAdyar
Upcoming events
Events at the Shrine
Minor Basilica Elevation Celebration
Solemn Holy Mass presided over by His Grace Most Rev. Dr. George Antonysamy, Archbishop of Madras-Mylapore.
Mon 21 September · 5.30 PM · Annai Vailankanni Shrine BasilicaSolemn Holy Mass presided over by His Grace Most Rev. Dr. George Antonysamy, Archbishop of Madras-Mylapore.
Mon 21 September · 5.30 PM · Annai Vailankanni Shrine BasilicaView InvitationFirst Friday · Divine Mercy Novena
Novena, Rosary and Holy Mass in Tamil and English.
Fri 2 October · from 5.30 PMNovena, Rosary and Holy Mass in Tamil and English.
Fri 2 October · from 5.30 PM
First Saturday · Day of Our Lady
Novena Masses from 5.30 am, with the evening Rosary, a special Mass, the Blessing of the Sick and the car procession.
Sat 3 October · 5.30 AM – 7.30 PMNovena Masses from 5.30 am, with the evening Rosary, a special Mass, the Blessing of the Sick and the car procession.
Sat 3 October · 5.30 AM – 7.30 PM
Special Novena to Our Lady
Celebrated on the 8th of every month in honour of Our Lady of Good Health.
Thu 8 October · MonthlyCelebrated on the 8th of every month in honour of Our Lady of Good Health.
Thu 8 October · MonthlyGallery
Moments at the Shrine
YouTube · Besant Nagar Annai