HISTORY - Basilica of Our Lady of the Mount

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1570

With the Jesuit Fathers beginning to take care of ministry in Bandra with headquarters at Santa Ana Church (near the old slaughter house), a simple Oratory made of mud emerges at the Mount near Lands End, for private devotion only.

A wooden statue of Our Lady, depicted as the Mother of God was brought by the Jesuits from Portugal and placed on the main altar. This could be considered as

the 1^st edifice, which immediately begins to attract a large number of devotees.

1573

The Priest-in-charge of Bandra area was Fr. Joao Diaz SJ.

1587

The Mount Mary Oratory is placed under the authority of the Parish of Santa Ana.

1616

The increase of Christian population required the bifurcation of the old parish of Santa Ana. The parish of St. Andrew was thus created and the Mount Mary Oratory was placed under the authority of the new Parish of St. Andrew.

1640

The Mount Mary Oratory is enlarged into a Chapel (2^nd edifice) for use of the increasing number of devotees, as well as for the Portuguese garrison stationed in the Fort at Lands End.

1665

Bombay Island is handed over to the British by the Portuguese.

1700

Bandra was invaded by a pirate army of the Muscat Arabs who, hoping to find treasure, attempted to ransack the Shrine. When disappointed in their expectations, they chopped of the right forearm of the statue, thinking it was of gold! They also intended to set fire to the church, when a huge army of bees attacked them so cruelly that they were forced to abandon their evil intentions and leave. As the statue was damaged, it was probably stored in the lumber room, and, in order not to disappoint the pilgrims, the statue of Our Lady of Navigators from the side altar of St. Andrew’s Church was brought to the Mount.

1739

The last Jesuit Vicar of St Andrew’s, Fr Thomas Villanova SJ leaves Bandra, and a local Priest, Fr. Paulo Dias, took charge of St. Andrew Parish and the Mount Mary Chapel.

1741-1761

Public devotion at the Mount comes to a standstill because of political instability and a lack of priests to look after the Shrine.

1761

Mount Mary Chapel was rebuilt for the third time. The broken statue of Our Lady of the Mount was repaired by placing a detachable Child Jesus on it the statue that was brought from St. Andrew’s Church was returned to its original place. This same year, the Archbishop of Goa, Dom Antonio Taveira de Neiva Brum da Silveira, established the Confraternity of Nossa Senhora de Monte attached to the Chapel.

1848

Fr. Antonio Joaquim da Silva, curate of St Andrew’s since 1839, was known as “Chaplain of Nossa Senhora de Monte” he now lies buried in the sacristy of St Andrew’s.

1848-1852

With financial aid from Sir Jamsetjee Jejeebhoy and family, in gratitude for favours received, a road was constructed from the Bandra end of the newly-built Mahim Causeway to Mount Mary Church.

1869-1879

Fr Ersamo Francisco Xavier who was now Chaplain renovated and embellished the chapel. He probably added a glass portico in front of the chapel.

1882

The Chaplain, Fr Elias Hypolito Fernandes (from Chuim), renovated the Chapel yet again.

1885

Mahim causeway came to be built, as well as the linking of the railway line, causing a greater influx of pilgrims to the shrine.

1895

A major devastating plague broke out in Mumbai.

1902

Despite the plague the Fathers of St Andrew’s go ahead with the project of building a better edifice on the Mount. The project is taken up by Fr Placid Hilary Henriques (Vicar of St Andrew’s) with the help of Fr Elias Braz Dias and Fr Pedro Antonio Fernandes. This foundation stone was only laid on 11th May 1902 by His Grace Archbishop D. Sebastiao Jose Pereira of Damaun (who lies buried in the shrine). The Architect was Mr. S. N. Chandabhoy, and most of the materials were brought by sea, and lifted up with the help of bullock carts and donkeys.

1904

The present Church, the fourth edifice, is completed and thrown open to pilgrims, on the occasion of the Golden Jubilee of the Promulgation of the Dogma of the Immaculate Conception.

1943

Archbishop Thomas Roberts gave the shrine an independent status under a Rector of its own, in the person of Msgr. Dominic de Sa. (1st Rector of the shrine)

1950

Msgr. Placidus Edward Fernandes constructed the Rectory “Marianella”.

1954

Inauguration of Oratory of Our Lady of Fatima, on 5th Dec., opposite the Church. This was the occasion of the Marian Year when for the first time the statue of Our Lady of the Mount was taken on a pilgrimage to all the parishes of the city, suburbs and Vasai. On 2nd Dec the statue was brought back with pomp to the Shrine, where Cardinal Valerian Gracias warmly welcomed this beloved Mot Mavli back in its abode. On 5th December, the Cardinal crowned the statue of Our Lady and the Child Jesus with gold crowns. That same day the Church was given the status of a Minor Basilica by Pope Pius XII.

1964

Pope Paul VI, on a visit to Bombay for the International Eucharistic Congress, graced this beautiful Basilica with a visit.

1986

St. Pope John Paul II, on a visit to India, visited the Basilica.

BASILCA HISTORY

Original Oratory

Chapel

Church

Minor Basilica