Brief History of Khairatabad Church
Saifabad community was under the spiritual care of St. Joseph’s Cathedral Church. There was a small community here around the year 1890. In 1898, Captain Fallon, the Commanding Officer of the 3rd Infantry of the Nizam’s army, permitted the construction.
In 1903, “the 3 Infantry returned from Sholapur and was quartered here permanently” (vide letter of Mr. Caesar, Retired Troop Officer, August 1920). Fr. Dante Magri in his letter dated 12th October, 1938 states that “…the construction of the little Chapel began in 1898 and cost was Rs. 3,500/-; it was rebuilt by Fr. L. Malberti on May 1903 for the spiritual benefit of the Catholics belonging to the African Cavalier Guards (AC Guards) and to the 3rd Infantry.”
Though the rebuilt Chapel was ready by December 1903, it was inaugurated on 10th January, 1904 by Bishop Vigano to commemorate the Golden Jubilee of the declaration of the Dogma of the Immaculate Conception. The Chapel was originally known as the “Church of Our Lady of Divine Grace”.
According to Fr. Passoni, the first Parish Priest of Our Lady of Health Church (letter dated 11th June, 1938 to the executive engineer), “A sum of Rs. 1028/- and 12 annas was the contribution received from the people (including Rs. 5/- from Bishop Vigano and Rs. 5/- from Fr. Vismara) towards the construction of the Chapel, though the actual cost of construction was Rs. 3500/-”.
Our Founder
Fr. Xavier Roch (born on 13th December, 1901) the Vice-Principal of All Saints’ High School and Assistant Parish Priest of St. Joseph’s Cathedral was asked to take charge of Saifabad in 1947.
He served as Parish Priest for 27 long years. In the meantime the local Catholic population increased, besides the growing number of pilgrims who came to this Chapel dedicated to our Lady of Health. The ‘Small Chapel’ became too small to accommodate all the parishioners, especially on Sundays.
Hence, in 1950, the Grotto was built, and Sunday Eucharistic celebrations were held there. With the further growth of the local Catholic Community and the increase in the number of pilgrims, the need for a bigger Church and more open land was felt.
SHRINE FeSTiVAl 2026
Message from Fr. Michael Selvaraj – Director and Parish Priest of Shrine of Our Lady of Good Health, Khairatabad, about our upcoming Shrine Festival, popularly known as Arokya Madha.
Meet Our Parish Priests
Our Parish Priests work together to shape the vision and faith of our parishnors, youth, and kids.
Fr. Michael Selvaraj
Director and Parish Priest
Fr. Michael Selvaraj was born on 30 October 1964 to the very devout parents, the late Arogyaswamy Selvaraj and Amalorygua Mary, who had six sons and two daughters. He hails from St. Peter’s Cathedral Parish, Gnanapuram, the biggest parish in the Archdiocese of Hyderabad. He was ordained on 27 March 1993. He is the counsellor and a member of the property committee of the Archdiocese of Hyderabad. He worked in the Archdiocese of Hyderabad in different villages before he took charge as the Director and Parish Priest of the Shrine of Our Lady of Good Health in 2021.
He is a very good priest and administrator, with good knowledge of the construction field and the properties of the Archdiocese of Hyderabad. He coordinates with the various pious groups and committees in the parish and makes the parish very active and vibrant both spiritually and socially, and in every field.
Indeed, we are privileged to have him as our Parish Priest.
Fr. Anthony Muthu, MSC
Assistant Parish Priest
Fr. Anthony Muthu Son of S. Anthony Samy and Siluvai Mary, born on 01.09.1990 in Tamil Nadu, Madurampattu, Tiruvannamalai Dt. Fr. Anthony Muthu joined in the congregation of Missionaries of the Sacred heart, Bangalore in the Year 2007.
He got Ordained in the year 19.01. 2019 with the priestly motto from John: 4:34- To fulfill the will of God who called me.
Having finished his early ministry in Bangalore, Vellore and Warangal, he was invited to work for the Archdiocese of Hyderabad.
From 2022 to 2023, he started his mission at St. Anthony’s Church, Gandhi Nagar and from 2023-2024 at St. Anthony’s Church, Venkatapuram.
From 2024-2025 at St. Anthony’s Shrine , Mettuguda, and from 2025-2026 at St. Joseph’s Cathedral, Gunfoundry and now presently working at Shrine of Our Lady of Good Health, Khairatabad.
Fr. Aduri Fathima Dwijesh
Assistant Parish Priest
Fr. Aduri Fathima Dwijesh was born to the late Mr. Aduri Kaspa Reddy and Mrs. Sundaramma as their fourth child. He comes from the traditional parish called Mattampally. He was brought up in a family that nurtured him in faith, values, and love for God and others.Priestly Motto : “I can do all things through him who strengthens me.” Philp 4:13
Rev. Fr. Aduri Fathima Dwijesh is a Priest of the Archdiocese of Hyderabad. He was ordained a priest for the Archdiocese of Hyderabad on 9 April 2026 by His Eminence Cardinal Poola Anthony, Archbishop of Hyderabad.
Fr. Dwijesh was appointed as an Assistant Parish Priest at the Shrine of Our Lady of Good Health, Khairatabad. Along with his ministry at the Shrine, he continues
Fr. Pasala Maria Raju
Principal - Fr. Roch Memorial High School
Rev. Fr. Pasala Maria Raju is a Catholic priest of the Archdiocese of Hyderabad. He was ordained to the priesthood on 30 April 2008. Since his ordination, he has served the Church in various pastoral and educational ministries.
He has served as an Assistant Parish Priest, attending to the spiritual and pastoral needs of the faithful, and as an Assistant Principal, contributing to the administration and development of Catholic education.
He later served as the Principal of a school, providing leadership and guidance to students, teachers, and the wider school community. His ministry reflects a special commitment to pastoral service, education, and the integral development of young people.
He is particularly dedicated to promoting academic excellence, discipline, human values, and Christian virtues among students. At present, he is serving as the Principal of Fr. Roch Memorial High School, Khairatabad, Hyderabad, where he continues to dedicate himself to the service of God, the Church, and society with faith, humility, and commitment.
Sunday Mass
Our Roman Catholic faith is important and it makes us unique. Attend a Sunday Mass to receive blessings from Our Lady of Good Health, Khairtabad.