Basilica of Our lady of Mount Carmel & St Joseph, known as Varapuzha Basilica Church, is in Varapuzha, Ernakulam district of Kerala state, India. It was built in the year 1673. The basilica is dedicated to Our Lady of Mount Carmel and St Joseph.
The solemnity of the Assumption of Our Lady is celebrated as an annual sixteen-day confraternity festival, from 31 July to 15 August. The basilica is also famous as a pilgrimage centre in the southern part of India. It serves as the Mother Church for 14 churches.
When can an Indulgence be granted? 1. February 24 - Anniversary of Rededication of the Basilica of Our lady of Mount Carmel and St Joseph, Varapuzha 2. March 13 - Anniversary of the proclamation of Varapuzha church to the status of Minor Basilica. 3. June 29 - Solemnity of Sts Peter and Paul. 4. December 11 - Anniversary of Publishing the Papal decree of elevating Varapuzha Church to the status of Minor Basilica. 5. Once a year on a day decided by the Archbisho[p of Verapoly. 6. Once a year on a day freely chosen by each member of the faithful What is a Plenary Indulgence? In his apostolic constitution on indulgences, Pope Paul VI said: “An indulgence is a remission before God of the temporal punishment due to sins whose guilt has already been forgiven, which the faithful Christian who is duly disposed gains under certain defined conditions through the Church’s help when, as a minister of redemption, she dispenses...



