Kripaon Ki Mata Church

Originally from Wikipedia · Est. Nov 2025

Kripaon Ki Mata Church, also known as Our Lady of Graces Church, is a Roman Catholic parish church and diocesan shrine located on Station Road in Dudhi, Sonbhadra district, Uttar Pradesh, India. It is dedicated to Kripaon Ki Mata (), the Hindi name for Our Lady of Graces, reflecting the deep Marian devotion among local faithful, and serves as a major pilgrimage site in the Diocese of Allahabad. The church's dedication to Our Lady of Graces is linked to the belief that the Virgin Mary bestows her grace and mercy upon the faithful who visit the site.

History

The parish in Dudhi was established in 1999 to serve the Catholic community of Sonbhadra, with the annual Marian pilgrimage tradition dating back to around 2008. The current church building, described as a "grand temple," was constructed through community efforts and inaugurated on 25 March 2021 by the Bishop of Allahabad during a special Mass. The shrine was declared a "place of grace" on the same occasion. Past parish priests include Fr. Raymond D'Souza (mission in-charge) and Fr. Valerian D'Souza. As of October 2025, Fr. Titus Lobo serves as parish priest.

Worship

The church offers daily Masses: 6:30 a.m. on weekdays and 7:30 a.m. on Sundays. A special Wednesday Mass is held in honour of the Virgin Mary. The feast of Kripaon Ki Mata is celebrated on the second Sunday of November.

Pilgrimage

The shrine hosts an annual Marian Pilgrimage (Spiritual Satsang and Procession Festival), typically on the last Sunday of October. The 18th edition in 2025 drew over 1,200 pilgrims, led by Bishop Louis Mascarenhas of Allahabad and Bishop Antonis Bara of Ambikapur. The event features a solemn procession with the statue of Our Lady of Graces carried through Dudhi's main streets, accompanied by hymns and prayers. Earlier editions include the inaugural pilgrimage in the new church on 31 October 2021. In 2019, the procession was described as spreading the message of love and peace.

See also

  • Christianity in Uttar Pradesh
  • Roman Catholic Diocese of Allahabad
  • Roman Catholicism in India

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