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Fr. Thomas Palackal
(1780-1841) |
 Malpan
(a title given to those who had authority to teach candidates for
priesthood) Thomas Palackal was born in the year 1780 in Palackal family in Pallipuram Parish,
Kerala, India. He was ordained in the year 1804. A man of prayer with a spirit of self-sacrifice, Fr.Thomas Palackal started a small seminary, where aspirants to priesthood were being trained. He was secretary and advisor to the Archbishop of Verapoly. In his capacity he helped for the orderly development of Syro-Malabar Churches. He was also interested in starting an indigenous religious congregation and a seminary for the training of their members. To achieve this objective and to get the permission of the Archbishop, he worked together with Fr.Thomas
Porukara. Fr.Cyriac Elisas Chavara, one of his disciples, also worked along with them and brought the idea to fruition. All the three are considered founders of the CMI Congregation. But Fr.Palackal passed away on June 16, 1841,
and was buried at Pallipuram. |
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Fr.Thomas Porukara
(1800-1848) |
 Fr.Thomas Porukara was born on Dec.27, 1799 in Porukara Family of Champakulam Praish. He was ordained on Sept.22, 1823. Being a great devotee of St.Joseph, Fr.Thomas encouraged people to grow in that devotion. This devotion of his was instrumental in dedicating the
first Church and Monastery at Mannanam in the name of St.Joseph. He introduced the tradition of Sunday homily. His abiding interest in silence and prayer prompted him to work for the foundation of the first indigenous religious congregation. With the foundation of the church and house at Mannanam, this dream was partially realized, though Fr.Porukara did not live to see the day, when the first eleven fathers took their vows in 1855. He was called to eternal rest on January 8, 1846, and was buried in Mannanam. |
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Bl.Chavara K. Elias
(1804 - 1871) |
 Kuriakose (Cyriac) Chavara
was born in 1805, in Kainakary, Kerala, India. After his early schooling in the native village and priestly studies under Fr.Thomas Palackal at Pallippuram, he was ordained priest in 1829.
He collaborated with the other two in the founding of the
first indigenous religious congregation for men. It was only after
the death of the senior companions Fr.Kuriakose and other 10 first
members, made the religious profession in 1855.
Starting seven religious houses, besides the first one at Mannanam, in different parts of
Malabar, the new congregation made great strides in a spiritual renovation in the Church of
Malabar. Seminaries for the education and formation of clergy, introduction of annual retreats for priests and people, a publishing house for the propagation of Catholic doctrine, a house for the dying and destitute, special attention to catechumens, schools for general education, were among the few of various activities under Father Kuriakose Elias' leadership. Many valuable improvements in the Syro-Malabar liturgy are largely to his credit. In 1866, with the co-operation of Fr.Leopold Beccaro OCD, he started the Congregation of the Mother of Carmel (C.M.C) for women. A schism threatened the church in the area in 1861, creating a very critical situation. Kuriakose Elias Chavara, then Vicar General of the Syro-Malabar Church, is gratefully remembered and acknowledged by the then and later leaders of the church and by the catholic community in general, for his strenuous fight, strong stance and effective leadership in thwarting Thomas Rochos' intrusion and saving the church in Malabar from schism.
In 1871, on January 3rd, Fr.Kuriakose Elias Chavara after a short but painful illness, died at Koonammavu preserving his baptismal innocence. His mortal remains were later transferred from Koonammavu to Mannanam in 1889 and are piously kept in St.Joseph's Monastery. The Sacred Congregation having scrutinized
his life and writings took up his name to be canonised. On February 8, 1986 during his historic visit to
India, Pope John Paul II raised him to the honours of the Altar declaring him
"BLESSED". |
