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Our founder St. Kuriakose Elias Chavara was born on 10th February 1805 at Kainakari in Alappuzha District. He joined the Seminary at a young age and became a priest in the year 1829 and established the CMI congregation in 1831. Thereafter he dedicated each and every moment of his life for the service of humanity enriching the social and cultural life of the people of Kerala.
Recognizing his spiritual contributions Pope John Paul II beatified him at Kottayam on 8 February 1986. Later, he was canonized a saint at Saint Peter’s Square Rome by Pope Francis on 23 November 2014.
He played an important role in eradicating many of the social evils which were prevalent in our society during that time by spreading education. He established the first Catholic Sanskrit School in the year 1846 and set up the first printing press among the Syrian Catholics at Mannanam in 1844 We the people of Kerala owe much to St. Chavara for our State’s progress in the education sector in the past because it was he, who insisted in his capacity as the Vicar General of the Catholic Community to start a school along with every church (Palliyodoppam Pallikkoodam).
St. Kuriakose Elias Chavara had varied interests. He was a voracious reader, a powerful orator, a social reformer, a polyglot, a committed writer and an immaculate leader.
St. Kuriakose Elias Chavara had made an indelible mark in the field of literature also. He had composed many eclogues and the credit for composing the first short poetical composition named ‘Anasthasyaude Rakthasakshyam’ goes to St. Chavara. His masterpiece ‘Oru Nalla Appante Chavarul’ contains the gist of the moral values he upheld and reminds every human being about the importance of leading a pious and disciplined family life.
This great visionary who had lived before his time, left for his heavenly abode on January 3rd 1871. He was an embodiment of devotion, compassion and austerity; a true disciple of Jesus who equated service to the needy as service to God.
St. Chavara established the first Catholic Sanskrit School in 1846. He also established seminaries for education and formation of the clergy, a publishing house, a home for the dying and the destitute as well as schools for general education. His claim “Education for All” led to the provision of education for girls as well as for people from all walks of life. He was a great educationist who used innovative ideas to mould an elite society. As a champion of social reform and a man who stood for integration, he has bequeathed us a legacy which we at Christ Nagar proudly uphold.
Click the link for Saint Chavara's Writings Chavara Library
