infant jesus shrine, dabra
patron:infant jesus, Established: 2002
Bp. Frederick D'Souza was keen to have a tabernacle midway between Jhansi and Gwalior and that materialized in 1997, when Fr. Frederick Mendonca was assigned to open this mission. A small house was built in the interior side of the large plot, which comprised the chapel, priest’s room and small classrooms. Then a basketball court and a stage was built for the School. Fr. Joseph Chipson built a small chapel attached to the priests’ residence. The toilets for the children was altered and set in 2015-16. During the tenure of Rev. Fr. Lawrence D’Souza Infant Jesus Shrine was built and it was blessed in 2016 by Most Rev. Joseph Kaithathara. In the year 2017 Rev. Fr. Joseph Chakkalakal built stations of the cross over hill and it was blessed on 12th February 2017 by Late Most Rev. Thomas Thennatt SAC. In the year 2019 at the foot of the hill a grotto of our Lady was built and it was blessed by Most Rev. Joseph Thykkattil on 15th August 2019. Magnificent entrance gate to the shrine was built by Fr. Joseph Chakkalakal and blessed by Most Rev. Joseph Thykkattil on 9th February 2019. The Martha Mariam was built for the pilgrims in the year 2022. The first floor of the school building behind the stage was blessed in the year 2024-25. The foundation stone for the new Infant Jesus Adyatmik Kendra was blessed by Apostolic Nuncio to India and Nepal, Archbishop Leopoldo Girelli in the year 2022. The construction of the Infant Jesus Adyatmik Kendra and IJ Multipurpose Centre commenced in the year 2023 and completed in the year 2025 and it was inaugurated by Bp. Joseph Thykkattil and was blessed by Abp. AAS. Durai Raj on 27/8/2025. The Gwalior Dhwani Media and communication Studio was blessed by Abp. Raphy Manjally and the adoration chapel in the Infant Jesus Adyatmik Kendra was blessed and consecrated by Bp. Peter Parapullil. The Multipurpose Hall was inaugurated by Bp. Joseph Thykkattil and was blessed by Bp. Joseph Kaithathara. The stations of the Cross were constructed to the shrine on the Mount Tabor in the year 2023 and it was remodelled and blessed in the year 2025. The foundation stone for Bethania, a pilgrim quarter with 40 beds and 100-seater Dining Hall and the convent for SMS sisters was blessed by Bp. Joseph Thykkattil, and the foundation was laid by Bp. Peter Parappullil on 8-3-2026.
Predecessors: Fr. Frederick Mendonca (Jhansi), Fr. Lawrence D'Souza, (2000-2005, 2010-2015) Fr. Biju Chitteth, Fr. John Xavier & Fr. John Pandiyappallil, Fr. Chipson, Fr. Eugene, Fr. C. Alphonse. Fr. Joseph Chakkalakkal
- Parish Priest: Fr. Joseph Chipson
- Address: St. Peter's Church & School, Simariya Tekri, Dabra 475110, Gwalior, MP
- IJAK & IJMC Director: Fr. Sanu V Alunkal
- Phone: 07524280133, 8120006413
- Substation: Bhitatwar
- Pious Associations: Catechism, Altar Servers, Youth, YCS, Women’s Association, Prison Ministry India
- No. of Catholics: 60
- School: St. Peter's School
- Principal: Sr. Simy SMDC
- Manager: Fr. Joseph Chipson
- Convent: Handmaids of Charity of St. Vincent de Paul (2013) and Santwana Sisters and Missionaries.
Multi-purpose spirituality Center and Infant Jesus Shrine Dabra
The construction of Multi-purpose Spirituality Center and infant Jesus Shrine, was started on 06th February, 2022 on the annual pilgrimage day of the infant Jesus feast at Dabra, Gwalior. It was done in the presence of Most Rev. Joseph Thykkattil, Bishop of Gwalior, His Grace Cardinal Leopoldo Girelli Nuncio to India and Nepal, Most Rev. Dr. Joseph Kaithathara Bishop emeritus of Gwalior, Most Rev. Leo Cornelio archbishop of Bhopal, priests and religious of the diocese and the thousands of faithful gathered on that day. The work is completed by the grace of God with the little help we get from the diocese and from generous people. It was a slushy land and it caused little difficulty to lay the foundation. We laid the foundation, plinth is built and filled with mud, concrete floor is casted and then pillar is built for the ground floor. The construction of the Infant Jesus Adyatmik Kendra and IJ Multipurpose Centre were inaugurated by Bp. Joseph Thykkattil and was blessed by Abp. AAS. Durai Raj on 27/8/2025. The Gwalior Dhwani Media and communication Studio was blessed by Abp. Raphy Manjally and the adoration chapel in the Infant Jesus Adyatmik Kendra was blessed and consecrated by Bp. Peter Parapullil. The Multipurpose Hall was inaugurated by Bp. Joseph Thykkattil and was blessed by Bp. Joseph Kaithathara. The stations of the Cross were constructed to the shrine on the Mount Tabor in the year 2023 and it was remodelled and blessed in the year 2025. The foundation stone for Bethania, a pilgrim quarter with 40 beds and 100-seater Dining Hall and the convent for SMS sisters was blessed by Bp. Joseph Thykkattil, and the foundation was laid by Bp. Peter Parappullil on 8-3-2026.
