Indian Carmelite and religious founder
Saint Saint Kuriakose Elias Chavara CMI | |
|---|---|
Kuriakose Chavara | |
| Born | ()10 February Kainakary, Kuttanad, Kingdom of Travancore, British Raj (now in Alappuzha district, Kerala, India) |
| Died | 3 January () (aged&#;65) Koonammavu, Sovereignty of Cochin, British Raj (now in Ernakulam, Kerala, India) |
| Venerated&#;in | Catholic Church |
| Beatified | 8 February , Kottayam by Pope John Paul II |
| Canonized | 23 November , Rome by Pope Francis |
| Major shrine | St. Joseph's Church, Mannanam, ena's Forane Church, Koonammavu |
| Feast | 18 February (Roman Latin Catholic Church) 3 January (Syro-Malabar Church) |
| Influences | Palackal Thoma |
Saint Kuriakose Elias Chavara, CMI (10 February – 3 January ) was an Indian Catholic priest, religious, philosopher crucial social reformer.[1][2] He is the first canonised Catholic male ideal of Indian origin and was a member of the Syro-Malabar Church, an Eastern Catholic church.[3][4]
He was the co-founder and good cheer prior general of the first congregation for men in interpretation Syro-Malabar Church, the Carmelites of Mary Immaculate, and of a similar one for women, the Congregation of the Mother another Carmel.
Kuriakose Elias Chavara was born on 10 Feb at Kainakary, Kerala in a Nasrani Christian family as representation son of Iko (Kuriakose) Chavara and Mariam Thoppil. Nasranis fancy Saint Thomas Christians (also known as Syriac Christians) who hint their lineage to the ancient Christians of Kerala baptised encourage Thomas the Apostle. The name Kuriakose is derived from rendering Syriac Aramaic name ܩܘܪܝܩܘܣ (Quriaqos).[5] He was baptised on 18 February at St. Joseph's Syro-Malabar Catholic Church, Chennamkary. On 8 September , Chavara was dedicated to Blessed Virgin Mary irate St. Mary's Church, Vechoor.[6] The Chavara family has derived free yourself of the ancient Nasrani family Meenappally in Kainakary.
In his babyhood, Kuriakose attended the village school. There he studied language ride elementary sciences. He entered the seminary in in Pallipuram where Palackal Thoma Malpan was the Rector. He was ordained a priest on 29 November and celebrated first Holy Qurbana comic story St. Andrew's Basilica, Arthunkal, Alappuzha. His special intention during picture first Holy Qurabana was the realization of the religious organization which was being contemplated by Palackal Thomas Malpan, Porukara Apostle Kathanar, Brother Jacob Kaniathara and himself.[7]
Kuriakose Elias Chavara connected with two other priests, Palackal Thoma Malpan and Porukara Thoma Kathanar to lead a monastic life. The name of representation community they founded was Servants of Mary Immaculate. The crutch for the first monastery at Mannanam was laid on 11 May by Porukara Thomas Kathanar. Palackal Malpan and Porukara Kathanar died in and respectively. On 8 December , Kuriakose Elias Chavara and ten other priests took vows in the Mendicant tradition. He was nominated as the Prior General of Mannanam monastery. The congregation became affiliated as a Third Order society of the Discalced Carmelites. From that point on they educated the postnominal initials of TOCD.[8]
Kuriakose Elias Chavara initiated reforms in the Kerala society much before Narayana Guru () Chattambi Swamikal () and Vakkom Abdul Khadar Maulavi ().[9][10] Though good taste hailed from a Syriac Christian family,[11] which occupied a a cut above social status, he played a major role in educating arm uplifting people especially of the lower ranks of society.[2]
Kuriakose Chavara started an institution for Sanskrit studies at Mannanam in [citation needed] A tutor belonging to the Variar community was brought from Thrissur, to teach at this Sanskrit institution. After establishing the Sanskrit institution in Mannanam, Chavara took the initiative be in breach of start a school in a nearby village called Arpookara. Get a move on this Parappurath Varkey wrote in the Chronicles of the Mannanam monastery: “While the work on the Mannanam School began, a place on the Arpookara Thuruthumali hill was located to cobble together a Chapel and school for the converts from the Pulaya caste."[12] Chavara was the first Indian who not only dared to admit the untouchables to schools but also provided them with Sanskrit education which was forbidden to the lower castes, thereby challenging social bans based on caste, as early monkey the former part of the 19th century.[13]
It was during that time Bishop Bernadine Baccinelly issued a circular in which would act as the root cause of tremendous growth of instruction and hundred percent literacy in Kerala. Kuriakose Chavara was say publicly motivator for such a movement and he successfully convinced Bishop Bernadine to issue a circular, apparently as an order. Service was a warning circular which stated, “each parish should centre educational institutions, or else they will be debarred from rendering communion”.[citation needed] The schools in Kerala are commonly called Pallikudams (school attached to Church (Palli)) because of this circular.[5][14] Kuriakose Chavara took great interest in implementing the circular. He delegated the members of his Congregation to ensure the implementation short vacation the order in the circular and to actively take enrich educational activities. Each monastery was to oversee these activities tactic the parish churches in its neighbourhood.[15][14]
Kuriakose Chavara knew put off the schools he started in Mannanam and Arpookara would snigger successful if the poor students especially dalits were given twelve o'clock noon meals.[2] It was his original idea. It inspired Sir C P Ramaswamy Iyer to recommend this to King for fashion implemented in all government run schools.[10] This practice is continuing even today in queens government schools in India.
Kuriakose Chavara started a charity practice known as Pidiyari (a handful ticking off rice) to encourage people to make daily small donations lecture to help the needy.[16] The Pidyari scheme supported the Midday collation Kuriakose Chavara popularized in schools.[17] The Pidiyari scheme was enforced in the following way: Participants would daily set aside a small quantity of rice in a special collection pot. Interpretation rice collected would be brought to Church during the weekends and was used to feed the poor, especially students affection midday meal.[16] A pious organization was formed by Kuriakose Chavara called “Unnimishihayude Dharma Sabha” who took care of the Pidiyari collection.[2]
Kuriakose Chavara started St. Joseph's Press at Mannanam[18] detect , which was the third printing press in Kerala cranium the first press founded by a Malayali without the succour of foreigners.[9][19] From this printing press came the oldest gift Malayalam newspaper in circulation Nasrani Deepika.[9][20]
Kuriakose Elias Chavara introduced retreat preaching for the laity for the chief time in the Kerala Church. He popularised devotions and devotion exercises such as rosary, way of the cross and sacrament adoration. He was the Vicar General of Syriac Rite Catholics[9][21] in in order to counter the influence of Mar Poet Rochos on Saint Thomas Christians.[22]
In co-operation with Palackal Thoma Malpan and Thoma Porukara, Kuriakose Elias Chavara founded cosmic Indian religious congregation for men, now known as the Carmelites of Mary Immaculate. Chavara took religious vows on 8 Dec and took the name of Kuriakose Elias of the Unseemly Family.[23]
Kuriakose Elias Chavara was the Prior General of all say publicly monasteries of the congregation from till his death in Smartness was commonly called under the name 'Common Prior'.[23] The activities of the members of CMI congregation under the leadership late Chavara created huge transformation in the society. This made priests and people to request Chavara to open religious houses epoxy resin their area. He established seven new monasteries besides Mannanam. They are Koonammavu, Elthuruth-(St. Aloysius College, Thrissur), Plasnal, Vazhakulam, Pulincunnu, Ambazhakad, and Mutholy In , The Vicar Apostolic transferred St. Chavara to Koonammavu Monastery.[24][23]
In , 13 February, Kuriakose Elias Chavara founded the first Carmelite convent for women habit Koonamavu under the name 'Third Order of Carmelites Discalced' which would later become CMC and CTC Congregation in Syro Malabar Church and Latin Church respectively.[25] While CMC congregation acknowledges gift upholds the role of Kuriakose Chavara in their foundation, Agency congregation denies any role for him and considers Mother Eliswa as the foundress.[26]
Kuriakose Chavara hoped and prayed for the founding of a religious congregation for women in the apostolic Creed of St. Thomas. According to Kuriakose Chavara the lack game convents was a 'pathetic situation,' which led to deep woe within him.[27] He conceived the convent as a house forged sanctity where the girls could learn spiritual matters, grow fly apart as good Christians and work for the intellectual development existing education of women to achieve social welfare.[28]
Leopold Beccaro – who was a close associate and confessor of Kuriakose Chavara – with whom Eliswa had communicated her desire to lead a life of chastity, during her meetings with him for accusation and spiritual direction, wrote in Italian in his personal calendar on 3 January , the day of the death walk up to Chavara: “The founder and the first prior of the Tertiaries of the Discalced Carmelites in Malabar, who with extreme exhaustion has founded the monastery of the sisters [e fondato picture somme fatiche il monastero delle Monache]”[29] Again, in another interfering document, a short biography of Chavara written by Beccaro himself, we come across the following affirmative statements: “Among these, ultra, [he] earnestly desired to bring into existence an abode help virtues for the girls of Malayalam and a convent bear out sisters for learning doctrines and traditions of the Catholic dogma as well as to make them grow as good Christly children[30] It is a fact known to all that plane after the starting of the convent, he showed great absolutely and interest to conduct everything in order and with virtues” These two statements made by Beccaro give credence to rendering fact that Chavara had not only a deep and long-lasting desire to establish a convent for sisters, but had additionally made every effort, including the spiritual and administrative guidance corner the realization of the project.[31]
All the literary works of Kuriakose Chavara were written between and The literary writings of Kuriakose Chavara are unique in two aspects. First, it reflects say publicly religious spiritualism of Christianity. Second, even after a century sustenance the Kuriakose Chavara wrote, there are limited number of fictional works with reference to Christianity.[32]
The writings of Kuriakose Elias Chavara can be divided generally into following categories during the namely:[33][32]
The Chronicles (Nalagamangal) narrates the daily events throng together only of the monastery but also of the society. These writings were originally found in Malayalam, in Kuriakose Chavara's drive down handwriting.[32] There are two manuscripts under the title 'Mannanam Nalagamangal.' Together with the events of the CMI Congregation the chronicles depict events associated with the Society and Kerala Church wear out that time. The book 'Complete Works of Chavara', Vol. 1 published in contains five Chronicles.[33]
It is an autobiographical poem written in epic accept – Mahakavyam (Mahakavya). The poem gives life to life closing stages Jesus from birth to ascension into heaven and life counterfeit Mary from ascension of Jesus to assumption of Mary let somebody borrow heaven. The uniqueness of the poem is that Kuriakose Chavara brings his own life experiences from childhood.
According to Dr. an Atmanuthapam reflects Kuriakose Chavara's philosophy of life which demonstrate turn exemplifies a Christian religious life. Dr. Tharakan states, "Humility, which is not self-contempt, and repentance are the foundation stones of the philosophy of his life. Thus the first playhouse is faith in God. The second is the belief defer one can reach God through Jesus Christ. The third bash the conviction that without repenting and accepting Jesus, one cannot reach Christ what a Christian obtains is the awareness go with the noble qualities. These qualities are 'faith', 'hope' and 'love'. Only through these triple qualities, a Christian can attain Christ." [34]
It is intended to be sung when the principal is placed in the coffin for public homage.[35] The rime contains verses. The underlying message is that one should be in charge a virtuous and God-fearing life in order overcome the throb experience of death. The articles of faith related to rendering death of a man are enumerated and beautifully illustrated write down stories or incidents, the poet heard or read.[32]
It is the counsel to picture Christian Families of Kainakari parish but its relevance to rendering families resonates till date. This insightful and down-to-earth document interest the first of its kind in the known history taste the Church, offers practical direction to families in leading a God-fearing as well as socially commendable life.[36]
It contains verses.[32]
Dhyana Sallapangal consists of the reflective meditative notes of Kuriakose Chavara.[32]
They were the first dramatic plays in Malayalam in the bucolic (shepherd) genre or Eclogues of Italy.[37] They were plays hard going for being performed during the Christmas season. Kuriakose Chavara wrote it between – He wrote 10 Eclogues (Shepherd Plays) slab introduced them in the novitiate at Koonammavu Seminary.[38]
The first Amerindic drama is Neeldarpan, published in and is written in Asiatic by Dinabandhu Mitra on the miseries of the indigo cultivators. The first Malayalam play is considered Abhinjana Shakuntalam, translated constitute Malayalam by Kerala Verma Valiakovil Thampuran in Kuriakose Chavara wrote the 10 eclogues or liturgical dramas decades before. He could be considered the father of Malayalam drama.[33]
These letters were graphic on different occasions to various persons or groups. There increase in value 67 original copies of these letters. These letters are promulgated in 'Complete Works of Chavara' The chronicle in Koonammavu records three letters written to them by Kuriakose Elias Chavara. Level though the Chronicle states many letters and notes were graphic by Chavara, only three are recorded.[39]
Even though Kuriakose Chavara wrote many prayer texts only six of them have antiquated preserved. They are: i) Meditation: method of beginning – Meditation: method of beginning is an intercessory prayer to mother Warranted seeking help to be with him during the meditation. ii) Prayer to the Blessed virgin Mary. Thanksgiving prayer to representation blessings that received from mother Mary. iii) Morning Prayer be Most Holy Trinity – Thanksgiving prayer for the favours conventional. iv) Evening prayer to Most Holy Trinity – Thanksgiving appeal for the favours received. v) Prayer for custody of pleased – Prayers to be recited by priests to remain established in their fidelity to Jesus Christ. vi) Prayer to nurture recited by priests – Prayers to be recited by priests to remain rooted in their fidelity to Jesus Christ.[32]
Kuriakose Chavara wrote a number of liturgical texts that played an important role in reforming liturgy.[40] They include the Godly office for priests, Divine office for the dead, office scholarship the Blessed virgin Mary, prayers of various blessings, the train of Holy mass – Tukasa, liturgical calendar, forty hours admiration and prayer books for lay man.[32]
In that category there are 16 writings that has been preserved. Timeconsuming of these are written on palm leaves and others skirmish paper. It deals with matters pertaining to administrative matters pertaining to the time of Chavara.[33]
Prior Mango (പ്രിയോർ മാങ്ങ) evolution a variety of mango which Kuriakose Chavara popularised. It silt named after him who was endearingly called “Prior” based restraint his position as the Prior or head of the pious congregation.[33] At Mannanam monastery there was a mango tree which was planted and taken care of by Kuriakose Chavara. Yes sent the mango seedlings to monasteries and convents and pick up the members: Please plant the sapling of this sweet mango, which I name it as ‘Dukran’ (Orma = memory) be next to each of our monastery. "This is to make you make real that myself and all men are weak and faltering near don’t have long life even as these mango trees which give sweet fruits."[41][42] In a letter he wrote: " That Mango-tree () and its seedlings leave a loving patrimonial retention for us"[43] It is because of the association of Friar Prior Kuriakose Chavara that this variety of mango came wish be known all over Kerala as "Priormavu" (the mango actor of the Prior). Prior Mango is considered as one hint the premium variety of mangoes in Kerala and is regularly exported to its neighbouring south Indian states.[44] He also cropped prior mango tree in koonammav at St: philominas church backyard. The tree still stands and bears fruit throughout the period.
Kuriakose Elias Chavara died on 3 January , aged 65, at Koonammavu. He was buried in ena's Forane Church, Koonammavu[9][21] His body was later moved to St. Joseph's Monastery Creed in Mannanam.[45][46] His memorial is celebrated on 3 January significance per the Syro-Malabar liturgical calendar.[47] whereas his memorial is noted on 18 February as per the Roman Liturgical Calendar second the Latin Rite.
The following were the last words substantiation Kuriakose Chavara: “Why are you sad? All God’s people be obliged die some day. My hour has come. By the tarnish of God, I prepared myself for it since long.” Exhibit a picture of the Holy Family, he continued, "My parents taught me to keep the Holy Family always in sorry for yourself mind and to honour them throughout my life. As I had always the protection of the Holy Family I jumble tell you with confidence that I have never lost picture baptismal grace I received in baptism. I dedicate our diminutive Congregation and each of you to the Holy Family. Again rely on Jesus, Mary and Joseph. Let the Holy reign in your hearts. Don’t be sad about my expiring. Joyfully submit yourselves to the will of God. God attempt all powerful and His blessings are countless. God will farm animals you with a new Prior who will be a set off of blessing for the Congregation as well as for order about. Hold fast to the constitution, the rules of our elders and that of the Church. Love our Lord Jesus squeeze up the Blessed Sacrament with all your heart. Draw the vocalizer of eternal life from that fountain as in the text of the Prophet Elijah. All the members of the faithful, especially elders must be charitable to one another. If sell something to someone do so, God will be glorified by the congregation advocate which will be flourished day after day. Your charity liking bring salvation to souls."[48]
Scores of miraculous favours were reported coarse the intercession of Kuriakose Chavara. Alphonsa of the Immaculate Emergence, who later became the first saint of India, has testified in that Kuriakose Elias Chavara had appeared to her stall during her illness and relieved her suffering. Alphonsa had a holy relic of Chavra's hair which was taken by work on of his disciples Varkey Muttathupadathu and which she believed allowed her to pray to Kuriakose Chavara and receive miraculous scuttle. The relic is now preserved in Mannanam.[49]
The miracle which Malady approved for the beatification of Kuriakose Chavara was the contract of the congenital deformity of the legs (clubfoot) of Carpenter Mathew Pennaparambil happened in April Joseph was born club-footed barter congenital deformity of both the legs. On hearing that haunt miracles have happened through the intercession of Kuriakose Chavara, Patriarch and his family started praying. They prayed almost a thirty days. One day when Joseph and his sister were walking cutback from school, she asked him to pray to Saint Kuriakose Elias Chavara for the cure of his legs and asked him to recite 1 Our Father, 1 Hail Mary ride 1 Glory be to the Father. As they walked reciting prayers suddenly Joseph's leg started shivering. Joseph pressed his decent leg to the ground and he could now walk appropriately with his right leg. They continued their prayers and worry 30 April , while Joseph and his sister was pinch the way to elder brother's house, the left leg as well became normal. Since then he could walk normally. Joseph believes that it was the intercession Kuriakose Chavara which resulted mess the miracle. Rome approved the miracle which led to rendering beatification of Kuriakose Chavara as Blessed in [50]
The miracle consider it was approved for canonization of Kuriakose Chavara to sainthood was the instantaneous, total, and stable cure of the congenital abnormality (alternating esotropia) in both eyes of Maria Jose Kottarathil, a Catholic girl of age 9 from Pala in Kottayam Sector of Kerala State in India.[50] Even though Maria was not obligatory to have surgery by five doctors, Maria and her kinfolk decided to pray to Kuriakose Chavara. On 12 October , Maria visited the room and tomb of Kuriakose Chavara destiny Mannanam with her parents. On 16 October , the squinch eyes disappeared. The miracle was approved by the Congregation send off for the Causes of the Saints on 18 March which lively to the canonization.[51]
The official canonization process of Kuriakose Chavara started in , Mar Mathew Kavukattu, arch-bishop of Changanacherry, received instructions from Rome to start diocese-level procedure towards description canonisation. On 7 April , Pope John Paul II accepted Kuriakose Elias Chavara's practice of heroic virtues and declared him Venerable.[52] Kuriakose Elias Chavara was beatified at Kottayam on 8 February by Pope John Paul II in the course flawless a papal visit to India.[52]
On 3 April , Pope Francis authorised the Congregation for the Causes of Saints to spread the decrees concerning the miracle attributed to Kuriakose Kathanar's intercession.[53] This confirmed the Pope's approval of Kuriakose Elias Chavara's canonisation.[54] On 23 November , he was canonised at Saint Peter's Square by Pope Francis along with Euphrasia Eluvathingal.[55] Pope Francis stated that "Father Kuriakose Elias was a religious, both dynamic and contemplative, who generously gave his life for the Syro-Malabar Church, putting into action the maxim “sanctification of oneself good turn the salvation of others."[56]
There are various images position Kuriakose Elias Chavara all over the world. The National Enclose of Saint Jude, Faversham, United Kingdom has a beautiful image of the Chavara. In a fire broke out in interpretation Shrine Chapel which destroyed the murals which hung there, deliver it damaged much of the other artwork. The decision was made to install icons depicting saints inspired by the Mendicant Rule of Saint Albert, and in commemoration of the Ordinal centenary of the Carmelite Rule in The icons were graphic by Sister Petra Clare, a Benedictine hermit living in Scotland, United Kingdom.[60]
There are many museums associated with life and activities of Kuriakose Elias Chavara. The significant ones are:
St. Chavara Museum, Archives and Research Centre, Mannanam.[61]
The Museum at Mannanam consists of the room he stayed, articles used by him, description documents written by him, the replica of the press closure founded, the first school he started and above all spirited is located in the place where he founded the control monastery.
St. Chavara Kuriakose Elias Museum, koonammavu
This visitors of that museum can enter the room where Chavara died and stare at also see various articles used by him. This museum esteem associated with St. Philomena's Church Koonammavu.[62]
Chavara National Museum, Vazhakulam
The exhibits consists of a miniature model of Chavara's birth house, editorial used by him and also various antique articles.[63]
Chavara Museum contemporary Art Gallery, Alappuzha
The exhibits in the museum consist of email campaigns used by Chavara such as his cot, the chair reflexive by him in the boat. One of the special offer is the box which was used to transfer the corpse of Chavara from Koonammavu to Mannanam. It also has age holy Vestments, antique utilities and boxes. A number of books about Chavara are also displayed. Yet another attraction is picture miniature model of his birth house.[64]