The statue which is placed inside the shrine behind an altar in the right wing of the new church is the miraculous one that came from Milan.
In 680 AD, there was a severe epidemic of small pox in Rome. The people took the arrow that hit on the forehead of the saint, in procession around the city, and there was a miraculous healing. Following this great incident, the people of the city embraced Christianity and there was a widespread popularity to the devotion to St Sebastian. As part of a vow, the people of Milan took the same statue in procession all around the world. When they came to Portugal, they came to know about India and turned their route that way. While they were travelling, the weather suddenly worsened and the ship got in danger. The captain had a vision while praying, to take the ship towards the east direction. The ship started moving safely when he tried to sail it to the eastern direction. Meanwhile, the parish priest of Arthunkal, Fr Fonsaco had a vision about a ship which was taken by storm and in trouble. He came with people to the beach and started to pray altogether. Suddenly the sea became calm and the ship landed safely. The sailors handed over the statue of St Sebastian to Fr Fonsaco. A small shrine was built up and the Statue was installed in it temporarily.
In 1647, the saint gave a vision to the parish priest and wanted him to install the statue appropriately in the church. On 10th January 1647, the statue was taken festively in procession into the church. So many sick people beside the way were miraculously healed. Witnessing this miracle, the non-Christians of Arthunkal, embraced Christianity. The statue was then installed in the church. When the new church was ready, the statue was transferred and installed inside a special shrine.
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