Mankuzhi is situated near Monday market town and it is a fertile place with lots of coconut plantations and other cash crops. It has well connected roads to the nearby towns. The main railway station is just 20 kms from the parish. Mankuzhu is naked after St. Francis Xavier, one of the earliest missionaries in India and it has a rich history of (115 years) Catholic faith dating back to 1910 when it was established as a parish and until now it had given birth to almost 10 newly erected parishes. First, Mankuzhi parish was part of the diocese of Quilon in the neighboring state of Kerala and then it came under the administration of the diocese of Kottar. Now it belongs to the diocese of Kuzhithurai. At least sixty priests had worked in this parish since its creation.
The MSFS fathers began their ministry here in 2021. There are about 350 Catholic families registered, and the parish administration is participatory and all-inclusive. People actively get involved in various pastoral activities and play an important role in the development of the parish. The MSFS missionaries served Sacred Heart parish in Kadayal in diocese of Kuzhithurai for 29 years. Then, it has been given back to the diocese on pastoral reasons, and as the MSFS fathers expressed their desire to continue their ministry in the diocese, the diocesan administration graciously has entrusted to them the parish of Mankuzhy. Fr. K. Ignaci Muthu, MSFS the provincial generously responded to the offer of the diocese and designated Fr. S. Alexander, MSFS to be appointed as the parish priest. He took charge of the parish of Mankuzhu on 14th June 2022. This parish has one substation, namely St Antony’s church, Vadivilai which has 171 families. Fr. Alex was also served as correspondent for four schools, namely St. Francis Xavier primary and Higher Sec. School at Mankuzhi, Our Lady of Carmel primary school at Morasangkodu, and Arockiya Annai Middle school at Palaiyam.
Developments undertaken at various times
Fr. S. Alexander, MSFS was the pioneer of this mission. After taking charge of the parish as the parish priest, he understood the devotion of the people to St. Devasagayam, a lay martyr who was canonized recently by Pope Francis. Therefore, he took the initiative to organize the people and mobilized the funds needed and built a grotto dedicated to St. Devasagayam, which was blessed by Most Rev. Peter Remigius, Bishop Emeritus of the diocese of Kottar on Oct 18, 2022. He was actively involved in animating the parish community with dedication and encouraged the different groups in the parish to make their contribution through their active participation in the various activities in the parish. He also initiated with the cooperation of the parishioners and built St. Antony grotto at Vadivilai, which was blessed by Msgr. Yesu Ratinam, the VG of the diocese of Kuzhuthurai on June 13, 2023.
Fr. Sahaya Jerald Abin, MSFS succeeded Fr. S. Alexander in 2024 as the parish priest. He continued the good work initiated by Fr, S. Alexander, MSFS. Realizing the need to beautify the church campus, he organized with the cooperation and contribution of the people and laid polished stones with grass around the church campus in 2025.
Participatory Structures in the parish: Parish Council, BCC, St. Vincent de Paul Society
Associations: Legion of Mary, Catechism Group,
Basic development Association,
Liturgy Association, Catholic Seva Sangam, Altar servers, Choir group, Kolping Society.
Religious in the parish: Sisters of St Anne
Institutions under the parish: St Francis Xavier primary school;
St Francis Xavier Higer Secondary School
Succession of parish priests:
Fr. S. Alexander, MSFS 2022 – 2024
Fr Sahya Jerald Abin, MSFS 2024
Succession of Asst. parish priests / Deacons
Fr. Emmanuel Sathish, MSFS 2022 – 2023
Fr. Vanathaiyan, MSFS 2023 – 2025