Blessed Kuriakose Elias Chavara (1805–1871) was an Indian Catholic priest, social reformer, and the co-founder of the Congregation of the Carmelites of Mary Immaculate (C.M.I.), a religious order within the Syro-Malabar Catholic Church in Kerala, India. He played a crucial role in the educational and social development of the region.
Here are some key points about Kuriakose Elias Chavara:
Early Life: He was born on 10 February 1805, in Kainakary, Kerala, India, into a Syrian Catholic family.
Educational Contributions: Chavara was a pioneer in the field of education. He played a pivotal role in the establishment of schools in Kerala and contributed to the spread of literacy, especially among the lower castes and girls.
Religious Life: He was ordained as a priest in 1829 and, along with Fr. Thomas Palackal and Fr. Thomas Porukara, founded the Congregation of the Carmelites of Mary Immaculate (C.M.I.) in 1831. This religious order was dedicated to education, social work, and the spiritual upliftment of society.
Educational Institutions: Chavara established the first Catholic Sanskrit School in Kerala at Mannanam in 1846. He also founded the St. Joseph's Press at Mannanam in 1844, contributing significantly to the field of printing in Kerala.
Literary Contributions: Besides his educational endeavors, Chavara was a prolific writer. He wrote several books, including a Malayalam grammar book, and worked on the first Malayalam-English dictionary.
Beatification: Kuriakose Elias Chavara, along with Euphrasia Eluvathingal, was beatified by Pope John Paul II on February 8, 1986. He was canonized by Pope Francis on 23 November 2014, becoming Saint Kuriakose Elias Chavara.
Saint Kuriakose Elias Chavara is remembered for his multifaceted contributions to education, social reform, and spirituality in Kerala, and he continues to be venerated in the Syro-Malabar Catholic Church.Blessed Kuriakose Elias Chavara passed away on 03 January 1871.
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