Catholic Shrines & Places of Interest in India
India is the second-most populous country in the world, with a total of 1.22 billion people. The vast majority of Indians are of the Hindu faith, some 827 million.
Although the percentage of Christians in India is small (a bit over 2%), it is actually quite large in terms of numbers (about 24 million). This comprised primarily of Roman Catholics but also the Syro-Malabar and Syro-Malankara Churches, that are in communion with Rome. There are a few Protestant sects included in that number as well.
Saint Thomas the Apostle introduced Christianity here back in the year 53 A.D. Others followed in later years and then when the age of exploration opened up in the 15th Century when Portugal became the first of the Western powers to colonize the area.
Among the most well-known was the Franciscan missionary Saint Francis Xavier.
Chennai: Basilica of Saint Thomas the Apostle
Goa: Basilica of Bom Jesus & tomb of St. Francis Xavier
Kolkata: Motherhouse of the Missionaries of Charity and tomb of Saint Mother Teresa
Vailankanni: Basilica of Our Lady of Good Health
Sources:
2011 Census Data, Government of India
