Kuriakose Elias Chavara was born on Feb. 10, 1805 at Kainakary, Alappuzha in the Archdiocese of Changanacherry in Kerala. From the age 5 to 10, he attended the village school (Kalari) to study languages, different dialects, and elementary sciences under the guidance of a Hindu teacher (Asan). Inspired by the desire to become a priest, he began the studies under the parish priest of the church of St. Joseph. At the age of 13 in 1818 he entered the seminary at Pallipuram where Malpan Thomas Palackal was the Rector. He was ordained priest on 29th November 1829, at Arthunkal and celebrated his First Holy Mass at Chennankari Church.

Blessed Kuriakose Elias Chavara is one of the founding fathers and the first Superior General of C.M.I (Carmelites of Mary Immaculate) congregation of the Catholic Church. He died on January 3rd, 1871, in the odor of sanctity, leaving behind him the high reputation of a very holy monk. He was declared blessed on February 8, 1986 by His Holiness Pope John Paul II. Blessed Chavara was a great educationist and social reformer. He was appointed official teacher (Malpan) of the Syro-Malabar seminarians on February 16, 1844 by the Archbishop of Verapoly. His cause of canonization was taken up in 1953. His feast is celebrated on January 3.

Address:

Vice Postulator, Chavara Office,
St Joseph’s Monastery,
Mannanam, Kottayam, Kerala, India – 686 561
Ph: 0481 -2598150
E-mail: vice-postulator@blessedchavara.org
Website: www.blessedchavara.org

Other Candidates For Canonization In India cd2005