Churches In India

Sacred Heart Cathedral New Delhi

Cathedral of the Sacred Heart is situated near Connaught Place at Gol Dak Khana in New Delhi. It is a post office which is a landmark in the city of Delhi. Sacred Heart Cathedral is among the important churches of Catholics in New Delhi and is also famous in the whole country. The same designer, who gave the design of Church of Redemption for the Anglicans, Henry Medd, also gave his design for the Catholics. His plan was among the total of 8 designs forwarded for being considered by a panel of eminent people such as Father Luke and Sir Edwin Lutyens, Father Luke being the reason for the construction of this magnificent cathedral.

Total area on which this cathedral is built is about 14 acres and was leased for an amount of Rs 360, in 1920. The lawn of the cathedral is Catholic Cathedral Lawn, in the present day having plenty of pilgrims and tourists moving about. Two schools of Catholic convent, namely the Convent of Jesus and Mary and Saint Columbus are located besides this cathedral. The foundation of this cathedral was laid by Rev Dr. E. Vanni, who was the then Archbishop of Agra, in 1929. It took four years for the completion, starting the same year. The church’s main altar was donated by Sir Anthony de Mello. Made out of pure form of marble, this altar is quite massive. Altar furniture, vestments and the bell were presented by Archbishop of Agra. British officers put in money for many other things.

History

Father Luke belonged to the first order Franciscan group, which was originated by Assisi’s St Francis and it was he who initiated the church construction along with the Rev. Dr. E. Vanni, the Archbishop of Agra, in the year 1929. Construction started in the year 1930. Main altar inside the church was donated by Sir Anthony de Mello, a structure made out of pure marble. Vestments, bell and furniture for the altar were donated by Agra’s Archbishop. Many of the officers of the british regime gave donations for the project.

Architecture

Henry Medd, who was an architect from Engliand was given the task to design the church and he did his design with architecture of Italian style. White pillars can be seen supporting the canopy, while turrets of circular shapes were present on both sides of the entrance of the cathedral. Roof in the inside is towering and curved, floors are of stone but finely polished and arches are broad.

Celebrations

Lots of functions are organized by the cathedral, especially on some days. In morning, prayers are done and also in the evenings. Christmas and Easter are the primary festivals and also major ones, being celebrated in the cathedral. During the Christmas festivities, there is the Feast of the Holy Family of Nazareth and there is also a Christmas Vigil Service, prior to the midnight of the eve of Christmas. Many social and cultural programs are celebrated all through the year.

Contributions

Church of Sacred Heart Cathedral is known in the society for many contributions. Small books, known as Ordos, can be obtained from the church, where plenty of reading materials can be found for liturgical sessions, daily readings, feasts, and other such purposes. These are available at very reasonable prices such as Rs. 25.

True Life in God meetings for prayers is also organized by the church, where the devotees can visit. This meeting is usually held in the fourth and second Saturday during the evening time, in the location of the Clergy Home, from 4.30 pm to 5.30 pm.

Mass Timings

MASS TIMINGS WINTER
Daily Mass	Monday to Saturday	6:30 am English
Anticipated Mass	Saturday	6:00 pm English
Sunday Mass
Time	Language	Cathedral
6:30 AM	English	Cathedral
7:30 AM	Malayalam	Cathedral
9:00 AM	English	Cathedral
10:15 AM	Hindi	Cathedral
11:30 AM	English	Cathedral
4:00 PM	Hindi	Cathedral
6:00 PM	English	Cathedral

 

Sunday School
09:00 - 10:00	Hindi	St. Columba's Jr. School
10:00 - 11:00	English	St. Columba's Jr. School
Mass Centres on Sunday
7:30 AM	Hindi	Carmel Convent
7:30 AM	Hindi	Mater Dei Convent
7:30 AM	Hindi	Indian Social Institute

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