About Us
Inspired by the Second Vatican Council’s vision of the Church as the People of God, His Grace the then Archbishop, Most. Rev. Dr. Soosa Pakiam, upon leading the Archdiocese of Thiruvananthapuram in 1990, established Small Christian Communities. It inspired Manacaud’s Catholic families to form the St. Stanislaus unit in 1991 under Palayam Cathedral Parish, where they held biweekly prayer and fellowship gatherings. A 1991 vision for a local church, blessed by the Archbishop’s prophetic encouragement, led to collaboration with the Salesian Congregation, resulting in land acquisitions in 1996 near Manacaud junction and the community’s worship at Bosco Veedu, later becoming a substation in 1997. Despite opposition, the church, supported by the Salesians, was consecrated on May 24, 2002, under the Blessed Virgin Mary, Help of Christians, and now thrives as an independent parish with more than hundred families across six Basic Christian Community units, serving as a beacon of faith, hope, and unity for all who seek solace and prayer in Thiruvananthapuram.
Our Holy Father
His Holiness Pope Leo XIV
Pope Leo XIV, born Robert Francis Prevost in Chicago, Illinois, is the first American pope in the history of the Roman Catholic Church. The son of a French-Italian WWII veteran and a Hispanic-American mother, he became a Peruvian citizen after 20 years of missionary work in Peru. A member of the Augustinian order, he speaks seven languages, including English, Spanish, and Italian, and served as Prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops before his election.
Elected as the 267th pope on May 8, 2025, following the death of Pope Francis, Pope Leo XIV has focused on unity, peace, and love. His papacy draws from the Church’s social doctrine and St. Augustine’s teachings, emphasizing dialogue, compassion, and care for the marginalized. He has met with world leaders like Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and U.S. Vice President JD Vance to promote peace.
Pope Leo XIV has visited the Borgo Laudato Sì in Castel Gandolfo to highlight environmental awareness. He modernized the Vatican’s outdated website and has spoken out against economic systems that exploit the poor and the environment. His commitment to ecumenism and interreligious dialogue reflects his vision for a unified Church.
His Christocentric theology centres on the Eucharist and devotion to the Blessed Mother. Known for humility, he calls himself a “servant of the servants of God” and rejects autocratic leadership. A sports enthusiast, he supports the Chicago White Sox and Chicago Bears and enjoys playing tennis.