History of Infant Jesus Shrine
With the growing number of Catholics in the BHEL Township, there arose a need to bifurcate St. Joseph the Worker Church, Berkheda to better serve the faithful. As new colonies developed in and around Kalpana Nagar, the demand for a separate parish became evident.
Responding to this need, on 8th September 1994, Archbishop Eugene D’Souza officially announced the establishment of a newb parish, naming it Infant Jesus Parish. The parish began with approximately forty Catholic families, and a mass center was opened with Fr. Pushparaj as the first in-charge. Initially, Holy Mass was celebrated at St. Theresa’s School, later moving to different convents and even private homes.
In 1995, a house was purchased in Kalpana Nagar, and Fr. George Stephen was appointed as the Parish Priest. Over the years, as the number of faithful increased, the need for a larger space became evident. Fr. Lancy Fernandes, who was appointed Parish Priest in 1999, celebrated three Masses on Sundays to accommodate the growing congregation.
The Construction of the Church
In 2003, land was purchased for the construction of a new church. On 9th March 2003, at 10:20 a.m., His Grace, Most Rev. Dr. Pascal Topno, laid the foundation stone for the new church in the presence of a large gathering of parishioners, priests, religious sisters, and well-wishers. With the relentless dedication and efforts of Fr. Lancy Fernandes, along with the unwavering support of the parishioners, the new Infant Jesus Church was completed. It was officially blessed and inaugurated on 26th January 2005, providing a sacred place of worship for the growing Catholic community in Kalpana Nagar.
Development of the Parish Campus
The Infant Jesus Parish has continually evolved over the years, with numerous additions enriching the spiritual and aesthetic appeal of the campus:
- In 2008, the Calvary, the Grottos of Mother Mary and Infant Jesus, and the Stations of the Cross were blessed.
- In 2009, Fr. Maria Stephen was appointed as the fourth Parish Priest. During his tenure:
- He initiated and constructed the Rosary Garden, which was later blessed on the occasion of the Golden Jubilee of the Archdiocese of Bhopal.
- A flagpole was installed and blessed on 21st October 2012 by Apostolic Nuncio His Excellency Msgr. Salvatore Pennacchio, in the presence of Most Rev. Leo Cornelio SVD, Archbishop of Bhopal.
- The bell tower of the church was also constructed.
Recent Developments and Upgrades
On 15th June 2014, Fr. Abraham Maria Michael took charge as the Parish Priest. After five years, in 2019, Fr. Siby Joseph was appointed, serving for three years before passing the leadership to Fr. A. John Benito on 12th June 2022.
During Fr. Benito’s tenure, several significant renovations and enhancements took place:
- Renovation of the sanctuary of the Church and the construction of a new Sacristy.
- The new sanctuary of the Church and altar were blessed on 6th August 2023 by Most Rev. Sebastin Durairaj SVD, Archbishop of Bhopal.
- The Infant Jesus Shrine was also renovated and blessed on 28th January 2024 by Most Rev. A.A.S. Durairaj SVD.
- The Rosary Garden was reconstructed, and the Meditation Hall was renovated and transformed into an Adoration Chapel, which was blessed and opened for the public.
Elevation to Archdiocesan Shrine
A historic milestone was achieved on 3rd March 2024, when Infant Jesus Parish was elevated to the status of an Archdiocesan Shrine by His Grace, Most Rev. Sebastin Durairaj SVD, Archbishop of Bhopal. Today, the Infant Jesus Shrine stands as a place of profound prayer, devotion, and spiritual solace, drawing numerous visitors who seek the blessings and intercession of Infant Jesus, our Patron.
The faith and dedication of the clergy and parishioners have shaped Infant Jesus Parish into a thriving spiritual center, continuing to inspire and nurture generations of faithful in Bhopal.