ST KURIAKOSE ELIAS CHAVARA, PRIEST AND FOUNDER

ST KURIAKOSE ELIAS CHAVARA, PRIEST AND FOUNDER - 18 FEBRUARY

SAINT KURIAKOSE ELIAS CHAVARA, PRIEST AND FOUNDER

Kuriakose Elias Chavara was born on February 10, 1805 of God fearing parents Iko (Kuriakose) Chavara and Mariam Thoppil of the Syro-Malabar Church, in Kainakary, near Allappuzha, Kerala. According to the local custom the infant was baptized on the 8th day in Chennankari Parish Church, Alappuzha. On September 8, 1805, Kuriakose Elias Chavara was dedicated to Blessed Virgin Mary at Saint Mary's Church, Vechoor.

From a very young age, Kuriakose was taught to chant the name "Jesus", as a result of which he eagerly wished to live a life dedicated to Jesus and the Church.

Inspired by the desire to become a priest, he began studies under the parish priest of the Church of Saint Joseph. Kuriakose Elias Chavara was ordained a priest on November 29, 1829. Himself and two other priests, Palackal Thomas Malpan (d. 1841) and Porukara Thomas Kathanar (d. 1846) felt called to lead a monastic life. The name of the community they founded was Servants of Mary Immaculate. In December 1855, Kuriakose Elias Chavara and ten other priests took vows in the Carmelite tradition. He was nominated as the Prior General of Mannanam monastery. The congregation became affiliated as a Third Order institute of the Discalced Carmelites (TOCD).

Kuriakose Elias Chavara established seven new monasteries besides Mannanam. They are Koonammavu - 1857, Elthuruth (Saint Aloysius College, Thrissur) - 1858, Plasnal - 1858, Vazhakulam - 1859, Pulincunnu - 1861, Ambazhakad - 1868, and Mutholy - 1870. In 1864, The Vicar Apostolic transferred him to Koonammavu Monastery.

Kuriakose Elias Chavara introduced retreat preaching for the laity for the first time in the Kerala Church. He popularised devotions and piety exercises such as Rosary, Way of the Cross and Eucharistic adoration.

Kuriakose Elias Chavara died on January 3, 1871 in Koonammavu. Some of his last words were: "My parents taught me to keep the Holy Family always in my mind and to honour them throughout my life. As I had always the protection of the Holy Family I can tell you with confidence that I have never lost the baptismal grace I received in baptism. I dedicate our little Congregation and each of you to the Holy Family. Always rely on Jesus, Mary and Joseph. Let the Holy Family reign in your hearts. Don’t be sad about my dying. Joyfully submit yourselves to the will of God. God is all powerful and His blessings are countless."

Kuriakose Elias Chavara was buried in Saint Philomena's Forane Church, Koonammavu. His body was later moved to Saint Joseph's Monastery Church in Mannanam.

The official canonization process of Kuriakose Elias Chavara started in 1955. Mar Mathew Kavukattu, Archbishop of Changanacherry, received instructions from Rome to start diocese-level procedure towards the canonization. On April 7, 1984, Pope John Paul II approved Kuriakose Elias Chavara's practice of heroic virtues and declared him Venerable. Kuriakose Elias Chavara was beatified at Kottayam on February 8, 1986 by

Pope John Paul II in the course of a papal visit to India. On November 23, 2014, he was canonised by Pope Francis along with Euphrasia Eluvathingal.

Pope Francis stated that "Father Kuriakose Elias was a religious, both active and contemplative, who generously gave his life for the Syro-Malabar Church, putting into action the maxim 'sanctification of oneself and the salvation of others.'"

His memorial is celebrated on January 3 in the Syro-Malabar liturgical calendar and on February 18 in the Roman Liturgical Calendar of the Latin Rite.

Sources:

http://www.chavaralibrary.in/Public/AboutStChavara.aspx

https://saintchavara.org/biography/

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kuriakose_Elias_Chavara

PRAYER:

Grant, we beseech you, almighty God, that the venerable feast of Saint Kuriakose Elias Chavara may increase our devotion and promote our salvation. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever. Amen.

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