The Basilica of Our Lady of Ransom is situated in Vallarpadam in the city of Cochin in the state of Kerala, India. It is a famous center of pilgrimage, people from all parts of Kerala and outside, irrespective of caste or creed go to the church to seek the blessings of Mary, the mother of Jesus, popularly known as “Vallarpadathamma.” Saint Pope John Paul II elevated this Church to the status of a Minor Basilica in 2004.
The magnificent and miraculous picture of Mary and Infant Jesus, installed at the top of the main altar of the Vallarpadam Church, was brought by Portuguese merchants under the leadership of Vasco Da Gama in 1524.
In 1676, the old church, which was known as the Church of the Holy Spirit, founded by the Portuguese missionaries, was destroyed by the heavy flood and the picture of Our Lady was found floating in the backwaters. Nobody except Paliyath Raman Valiyachan, the Prime Minister of Maharaja of Cochin, could recover it. The beautiful church at Vallarpadam which is seen now is built on the land donated by Paliyath Raman Valiyachan.
He is gratefully remembered for his generosity towards the church, by lighting the Sanctuary lamp, which he himself donated and which has been burning day and night from 1676 onwards. The church was re-established in 1676 and the famous picture of the Blessed Virgin Mary was erected by Portuguese who brought it from their native land. This picture of Our Lady is believed to be a miraculous image.
In the year May 1752, in Vallarpadam there was a young lady named Meenakshiyamma, who was a member of a noble family called Palliyilveedu. She was travelling together with her son to Mattancherry in a boat, suddenly there arose a storm and the boat capsized.
Meenakshiyamma and her son almost drowned in the backwaters. While they were in grave danger, Meenakshiyamma prayed to Our Lady of Vallarpadam that if they were rescued by her they would be her Adimas (servants) until their death.
On the third day, as per instructions Our Lady had given him in a dream, the parish priest asked the fishermen to cast net in the river, and Meenakshiyamma and her son were rescued. From that day onwards, people, especially those who travel by boats and ships, come to Vallarpadam and pray for their safe journey.
Meenakshiyamma and her son received baptism and became Christians and were named Mary and Jesudas respectively. They lived the rest of their lives in the churchyard itself adoring the Lord and thanking Our Lady and proclaiming the “good news” to all those who came to the shrine. There are thousands of miracles attributed to Our Lady in this miraculous shrine.
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