OUR PATRON

Saint Kuriakose Elias Chavara was born in 1805 at Kainakary, Kerala. After his early schooling and priestly studies, he was ordained priest in 1829. Father Kuriakose along with Fathers Thomas Palackal and Thomas Porukara founded the Indigenous Religious Congregation - Carmelites Mary Immaculate (CMI) on May 11, 1831. Brother Jacob Kanianthara, who in 1865 became the first professed brother co-operator in the congregation also co-operated with those three founding fathers from the beginning. Father Kuriakose was a pioneer in education and social work in the country. He was an illustrious scholar, educationist, prophetic writer, poet, multilinguist, social reformer and an organizer. Father Kuriakose was a man of deep prayer and he stayed in close communion with the Lord amidst his religious and social activities. So he was accepted as a man of God.
Father Kuriakose took a keen interest in starting educational Institutions attached to the Monasteries and churches. The idea paved the way for progressive change in the field of education in India. Education is one of the Charisms of the CMI Congregation. He died on 3 January 1871 and his mortal remains are kept in St. Joseph’s Monastery, Mannanam, Kerala. He was canonized on 23 November 2014 in Rome by Pope Francis. The CMI congregation inspired by the vision of St Kuriakose Elias Chavara renders its service in educational, social, health care and other sectors aiming at the integral development of the society.

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