September 23, 2025

On March 16, the Jesuit Chennai Province undertook its third Province Pilgrimage to Dharapuram, commemorating the 300th Birth Anniversary of Fr. Pietro Biagio Licchetta SJ, also known as Rayananadar Swamy.

The pilgrimage began with a reflection on his life at Irudayapuram by Fr. Udaya Prakash, followed by a prayerful procession. Fr. Jebamalai Irudayaraj, Provincial, inaugurated the newly constructed Mausoleum—a space designed for prayer and reflection. The Most Rev. Dr. L. Thomas Aquinas, Bishop of Coimbatore, blessed the site.

A concelebrated Mass at Dharapuram Parish Hall, presided over by the Bishop, was a powerful moment of grace. In his homily, Fr. Provincial highlighted the enduring inspiration of Jesuit martyrs like Fr. Licchetta. The event included a hymn by pre-novices and the release of a commemorative booklet by Fr. John Peter Bellarmine.