Kuriakose Elias Chavara facts for kids
Quick facts for kids MarSaint Kuriakose Elias Chavara CMI |
|
|---|---|
Kuriakose Chavara
|
|
| Born | 10 February 1805 Kainakary, Kuttanad, Kingdom of Travancore, British Raj (now in Alappuzha district, Kerala, India) |
| Died | 3 January 1871 (aged 65) Koonammavu, Kingdom of Cochin, British Raj (now in Ernakulam, Kerala, India) |
| Venerated in | Catholic Church |
| Beatified | 8 February 1986, Kottayam by Pope John Paul II |
| Canonized | 23 November 2014, Rome by Pope Francis |
| Major shrine | St. Joseph's Church, Mannanam, St.Philomena's Forane Church, Koonammavu |
| Feast | 18 February (Roman Latin Catholic Church) 3 January (Syro-Malabar Church) |
| Influences | Palackal Thoma |
Saint Kuriakose Elias Chavara (born February 10, 1805 – died January 3, 1871) was an Indian priest and a great social reformer. He was the first Catholic male saint from India. He belonged to the Syro-Malabar Catholic Church, which is an Eastern Catholic Church.
He helped start the first religious group for men in his church, called the Carmelites of Mary Immaculate (CMI). He also helped create a similar group for women, called the Congregation of the Mother of Carmel (CMC).
Contents
Early Life and Priesthood
Kuriakose Elias Chavara was born on February 10, 1805, in Kainakary, Kerala. His parents were Iko (Kuriakose) Chavara and Mariam Thoppil. His family belonged to the Saint Thomas Christians, also known as Nasranis or Syriac Christians. These Christians believe their faith started in Kerala with Thomas the Apostle.
As a child, Kuriakose went to a village school. There, he learned language and basic science. In 1818, he joined the seminary in Pallipuram to study for the priesthood. He became a priest on November 29, 1829.
Starting a New Religious Group
Kuriakose Elias Chavara wanted to live a life dedicated to God. He joined two other priests, Palackal Thoma Malpan and Porukara Thoma Kathanar, to start a new religious community. They called their group the Servants of Mary Immaculate.
They laid the foundation for their first monastery in Mannanam on May 11, 1831. After his friends passed away, Kuriakose Elias Chavara and ten other priests took special vows on December 8, 1855. They became part of the Carmelite tradition, and their group was later known as the Carmelites of Mary Immaculate (CMI). Kuriakose Elias Chavara became the first leader, or Prior General, of this new group.
A Champion for Social Change
Kuriakose Elias Chavara was a social reformer who worked to improve society in Kerala. He started many important changes even before other famous reformers like Narayana Guru and Chattampi Swamikal. Even though he came from a respected Christian family, he worked hard to educate and uplift everyone, especially those who were considered to be of lower social status.
Education for All
Kuriakose Chavara believed that everyone should have the chance to learn.
- In 1846, he opened a school for Sanskrit studies in Mannanam. Sanskrit was a language often only taught to higher castes at that time.
- He also started a school in Arpookara. This school was special because it welcomed people from the Pulayar caste, who were considered "untouchable" and often denied education. Kuriakose Chavara was one of the first Indians to allow all people, including those from lower castes, to attend schools and even learn Sanskrit. This was a big challenge to the old social rules.
In 1856, a church leader, Bishop Bernadine Baccinelly, issued an important order. This order, inspired by Kuriakose Chavara, said that "each parish should establish educational institutions, or else they will be debarred from the communion." This meant that every church had to start a school. This order led to a huge growth in education across Kerala. Many schools in Kerala are still called Pallikudams, which means "school attached to a Church (Palli)". Kuriakose Chavara made sure this order was followed, and his religious group helped set up schools everywhere.
Midday Meals for Students
Kuriakose Chavara understood that poor students might not be able to attend school if they were hungry. So, he started the idea of providing midday meals at the schools he opened. This simple idea helped many poor students, especially those from Dalit communities, to come to school and learn. This practice was so successful that it later inspired others to suggest it for all government schools in India.
Pidiyari: A Handful of Rice
To support the midday meal program and help the needy, Kuriakose Chavara started a charity practice called Pidiyari. This means "a handful of rice." People would set aside a small amount of rice each day in a special pot. On weekends, this collected rice would be brought to the church. It was then used to feed the poor, especially the students who received midday meals. This simple act of daily giving helped many people.
Printing Press
In 1846, Kuriakose Chavara started St. Joseph's Press in Mannanam. This was the third printing press in Kerala and the first one started by an Indian without foreign help. From this press came the oldest existing Malayalam newspaper, Nasrani Deepika.
Service to the Church
Kuriakose Elias Chavara also made important changes within the Church. He introduced "retreat preaching" for ordinary people, which means special times for prayer and reflection. He also encouraged popular devotions like the rosary, the Way of the Cross, and adoration of the Blessed Sacrament.
Religious Groups He Founded
CMI Congregation
Working with Palackal Thoma Malpan and Thoma Porukara, Kuriakose Elias Chavara founded an Indian religious group for men, now known as the Carmelites of Mary Immaculate (CMI). He took his religious vows on December 8, 1855, and chose the name Kuriakose Elias of the Holy Family.
He served as the Prior General (leader) of all the monasteries in this group from 1856 until his death in 1871. Under his leadership, the CMI congregation grew and brought about many positive changes in society. He opened seven new monasteries in different places, spreading their good work.
Carmelite Congregation for Women
On February 13, 1866, Kuriakose Elias Chavara founded the first Carmelite convent for women in Koonamavu. This group later became the Congregation of Mother of Carmel (CMC). He strongly believed that there should be religious groups for women in the Church. He saw convents as places where girls could learn about their faith, grow into good Christians, and work for the education and development of women in society.
His Writings
Kuriakose Chavara was also a writer. His works, written between 1829 and 1870, often showed his deep faith. They are special because they are some of the few early writings in Malayalam that focus on Christian spirituality.
His writings can be grouped into different types:
- Chronicles and historical writings: These were like diaries that recorded daily events in the monastery and in society.
- Spiritual writings: These included poems and reflections on faith.
- Atmanuthapam (The Lamentations of a Repentant Soul): This was a long poem about the life of Jesus and Mary, but it also included parts of Kuriakose Chavara's own life experiences. It teaches about humility, repentance, and faith in God.
- Maranaveetil Cholvanulla Parvam (A poem to be sung in the bereaved house): This poem was meant to be sung at funerals. It teaches people to live a good life so they can face death without fear.
- Nalla Appante Chavarul (Testament of a Loving Father): This was a guide for Christian families, giving practical advice on how to live a God-fearing and good life in society.
- Letters: He wrote many letters to different people and groups on various occasions.
- Prayer Texts: He wrote several prayers, including meditations and prayers to the Blessed Virgin Mary and the Holy Trinity.
- Writings on Liturgy: He wrote texts for church services, helping to reform how they were conducted.
- Writings related to administration: These dealt with how the monasteries and the congregation were managed.
Prior Mango
Kuriakose Chavara is also remembered for a special type of mango called "Prior Mango" (പ്രിയോർ മാങ്ങ). This mango is named after him because he was lovingly called "Prior" as the head of his religious group. He planted a mango tree at the Mannanam monastery and sent its seedlings to other monasteries and convents. He wanted these trees to be a sweet memory of him and a reminder that all people are fragile, just like the trees that give sweet fruits. The "Prior Mango" is still a popular and highly valued mango variety in Kerala today.
Death and Legacy
Kuriakose Elias Chavara died on January 3, 1871, at the age of 65, in Koonammavu. He was first buried there, but his body was later moved to St. Joseph's Monastery Church in Mannanam. His memorial day is celebrated on January 3 in the Syro-Malabar Church and on February 18 in the Roman Latin Catholic Church.
His last words were full of peace and faith. He told those around him not to be sad, reminding them that everyone must die someday. He spoke about how his parents taught him to honor the Holy Family (Jesus, Mary, and Joseph) and how their protection helped him keep his faith strong. He dedicated his religious group to the Holy Family and encouraged everyone to rely on Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, to be joyful, and to love God and each other.
Miracles and Sainthood
Many miraculous favors have been reported through the prayers to Kuriakose Chavara. For example, Alphonsa of the Immaculate Conception, who later became the first saint from India, said that Kuriakose Elias Chavara appeared to her twice and helped her when she was sick.
Beatification
The first miracle approved for Kuriakose Chavara's beatification (the step before sainthood) was the healing of Joseph Mathew Pennaparambil in April 1960. Joseph was born with a severe deformity in both his legs, known as clubfoot. His family prayed to Kuriakose Chavara for a month. One day, while walking home from school and praying, Joseph's right leg suddenly became normal. They continued praying, and a few days later, his left leg also became normal. Joseph believes this was a miracle through Kuriakose Chavara's prayers. This miracle was approved, and Kuriakose Chavara was declared "Blessed" in 1986 by Pope John Paul II.
Canonization
The miracle approved for Kuriakose Chavara to become a saint was the instant healing of Maria Jose Kottarathil, a 9-year-old girl from Kerala. Maria had a condition where her eyes were crossed (alternating esotropia). Doctors suggested surgery, but Maria and her family decided to pray to Kuriakose Chavara. On October 12, 2007, Maria visited Kuriakose Chavara's tomb. Just four days later, on October 16, 2007, her crossed eyes became normal. This miracle was approved by the Church in 2014, leading to his canonization.
Becoming a Saint
The official process to declare Kuriakose Chavara a saint began in 1955. On April 7, 1984, Pope John Paul II recognized his heroic virtues and declared him "Venerable." He was then beatified (declared "Blessed") by Pope John Paul II in Kottayam, India, on February 8, 1986.
On April 3, 2014, Pope Francis approved the miracle attributed to Kuriakose Chavara, confirming his path to sainthood. Finally, on November 23, 2014, he was officially declared a saint at Saint Peter's Square in Rome by Pope Francis, along with Euphrasia Eluvathingal. Pope Francis praised him as a religious leader who "generously gave his life for the Syro-Malabar Church," focusing on making himself holy and helping others find salvation.
Museums and Memorials
There are several museums dedicated to the life and work of Kuriakose Elias Chavara:
- St. Chavara Museum, Archives and Research Centre, Mannanam: This museum includes the room where he lived, items he used, documents he wrote, and a replica of the printing press he founded. It's located where he started his first monastery.
- St. Chavara Kuriakose Elias Museum, Koonammavu: Visitors can see the room where Chavara died and various items he used. It's connected to St. Philomena's Church in Koonammavu.
- Chavara National Museum, Vazhakulam: This museum displays a small model of his birth home, items he used, and other old artifacts.
- Chavara Museum and Art Gallery, Alappuzha: Here you can see items like his bed and chair, and the box used to move his remains. It also has old church vestments, antique tools, and books about Chavara. A miniature model of his birth home is also on display.
See also
- East Syriac Rite
- Syriac Christianity
