ALL SAINTS CELEBRATED IN FEBRUARY Saints celebrated on the 18th of February WELCOME! 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 Kathana...