Churchwonders.com

Wonderful Churches, Shrines and Devotions


Featured

Our Lady of Vailankanni

September 8th is the Feast of Our Lady of Vailankanni, Our Lady of Good Health. It is also the Feast of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary. The feast day is especially celebrated in the Tamil Nadu State of India where the Shrine Basilica of Our Lady of Good Health Church and Complex are located. It is the destination of pilgrims where thousands converge in the beautiful coastal city of Vailankanni to celebrate Our Lady’s birth, give thanks and pray for additional miracles through her intercession.

Our Lady of Vailankanni (Vay-lun-kun-nee) appeared in Vailankanni, India three times during the latter part of the sixteenth century and miracles of healing are attributed to her. The Shrine Basilica of Our Lady of Good Health Church at Vailankanni is also called “Lourdes of the East.”

RECENT posts

  • St. Titus Brandsma painting at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church, Fairfield, CA

    St. Titus Brandsma, An Inspiration for Blog Writers

    St. Titus Brandsma (1881-1942), was a Dutch Carmelite priest and a journalist who was martyred in the Dachau concentration camp in 1942. He is one of the newest Carmelite Saints and was canonized by Pope Francis on May 15, 2022. He is a patron for journalists and blog writers.

    Read more: St. Titus Brandsma, An Inspiration for Blog Writers
  • The Baptism of Jesus window at St. Joseph's Church in Rio Vista, CA

    St. John the Baptist and Baptismal Fonts

    June 24th is the Solemnity of the Nativity of St. John the Baptist – a prophet of hope who leaped for joy in his mother’s womb! The scene of the baptism of Jesus is shown atop many baptismal fonts.

    Read more: St. John the Baptist and Baptismal Fonts
  • Hearts of Love: Sacred Heart of Jesus and Immaculate Heart of Mary

    The month of June is dedicated to the Sacred Heart of Jesus with a Solemnity this year on June 16. The Immaculate Heart of Mary is celebrated on the following day. Both of these feasts are focused on love with the heart as a symbolic representation. The Sacred Heart of Jesus is a reflection on…

    Read more: Hearts of Love: Sacred Heart of Jesus and Immaculate Heart of Mary
  • Servant of God, Julia Greeley and the Sacred Heart

    The life of Servant of God, Julia Greeley, Denver’s “Angel of Charity,” is a great example for all to emulate – an ordinary woman living an extraordinary life. She is a model for living with joy despite difficult circumstances and suffering; and had a great devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus.

    Read more: Servant of God, Julia Greeley and the Sacred Heart

About this site

Wonderful Churches, Shrines & Devotions

This site is for church visitors, travelers, historians and the faithful – especially, those interested in the sacred aspects of the churches and their artifacts – to learn and experience the places, their liturgical furnishings and history.

<<< Scroll through the slide show to see the types of information available.

architecture posts

  • Campanile, Façade and Tympanum – Prominent Exterior Parts of a Church

    Campanile, Façade and Tympanum – Prominent Exterior Parts of a Church

    Some of the most visible components of the front of a church building such as the campanile, the façade and the tympanum play important roles in identifying the building as a place of worship; and in preparing the entrant for worship.

    Read more: Campanile, Façade and Tympanum – Prominent Exterior Parts of a Church
  • Narthex, Nave and Ambo – Interior Parts of a Church

    Narthex, Nave and Ambo – Interior Parts of a Church

    A church building contains architectural elements that are common to all buildings; but also contains features making it identifiable as a church. The columns of a church play a key role in “supporting” the verticality of the structure

    Read more: Narthex, Nave and Ambo – Interior Parts of a Church
  • Architectural Columns

    Architectural Columns

    A church building contains architectural elements that are common to all buildings; but also contains features making it identifiable as a church. The columns of a church play a key role in “supporting” the verticality of the structure

    Read more: Architectural Columns
  • Memorial of the Church of St. Mary Major (and a summer snowfall!)

    Memorial of the Church of St. Mary Major (and a summer snowfall!)

    August 5th, the Dedication of the Church of St. Mary Major is commemorated each year in part to celebrate the “Miracle of the Snows” when it snowed on the Esquiline Hill in Rome on August 5th, 358.

    Read more: Memorial of the Church of St. Mary Major (and a summer snowfall!)