Saintly Souls
of our Archdiocese
Saint
Kuriakose Elias
Kuriakose Elias Chavara was born on 10 February 1805. He was ordianed as a priest on 29 November 1829 and celebrated first Holy Mass at St. Andrews Basilica, Arthunkal, Allappuzha. He was appointed as Vicar General of Verapoly Vicariate by Archbishop Most Rev. Dr. Bernardine Baccenelli, the Vicar Apostolic of Verapoly. Saint Kuriakose served his last seven years at St. Philominas Church, Koonammavu as Parish Priest and Superior of the Monestry. He bid adieu to his illustrious earthly life on January 3rd, 1871 and was buried at St. Philiomina’s Church, Koonammavu.
Venerable
John Vincent OCD
He was born on 19-07 1862 at Spain. He was zealous Carmelite missionary came to India leaving his homeland Spain and spent 17 years in Kerala. He landed at Verapoly Archdiocese in the year 1900 and spent 4 years engaging himself in spiritual missionary in the island of Varapuzha. He was appointed as the parish priest as well as the Vicar of Mount Carmel Church, Chathiath. People used to call him with love and respect ‘Bernard Muppachan’. He was called back to Spain and he bid adieu to his illustrious earthly life on 27th February 1943 at Spain. He was raised to status of Venerable on 12th Janauary 1996.
Venerable
Aurelian OCD
Born on June 27th, 1887, at Archunduaga Basauri near Bilbao Province, Spain. He was a theologian, writer and spiritual leader. He reached India on October 9, 1912. He was the Spiritual director (1912 -44), Vice Rector (1934-44) and rector (1944 – 56) of St. Joseph Pontifical Seminary, Aluva, Kerala. He died on 16th November 1963. He was raised to status of Venerable on 26 March 1999 and his mortal remains is preserved at Immaculate Conception Church, Manjummel
Venerable
Fr Zacharias OCD
Born on November 5th 1887 at Spain, a man of God for the people, came to India in 1912 leaving his homeland Spain, spent 45 years in Kerala, teaching and forming the priests of Kerala at St. Joseph Pontifical Seminary, Carmelgiri, Aluva. He served the church and society as a missionary, writer, social worker, catalyst in the church and above all an instrument of God’s compassionate love to everyone. He was well versed in western and Indian culture, religion and philosophy. On 23 May 1957 he was called to be with the Lord. Acknowledging his heroic virtues he was evaluated to the status of Venerable on January 27, 2014. The mortal remains is preserved at Immaculate Conception Church, Manjummel
Venerable
Eliswa CTC
The Venerable Mother Eliswa was born on 15 October 1831, to a noble Vyppissery Capithan family in Cruz Milagris Parish at Ochanthuruth, in the Vicariate of Verapoly, Kerala. She was the first of eight children born to Thomman and Thanda. In 1847 when Eliswa was 16 she married Vatharu Vakayil at Koonammavu and bore a daughter named Anna. When Vatharu fell ill and died, Eliswa refused to remarry and chose a life of prayer, detachment and solitude, received the Sacraments frequently, and spent long years in silent preparation for a life inspired by the Holy Spirit. An Italian Carmelite Missionary, Fr Leopold Beccaro OCD, revealed God’s plan to her. Eliswa’s daughter, Anna, also decided to be consecrated. Thresia, Mother Eliswa’s youngest sister also met Fr Leopold and expressed her desire to consecrate her life to God.
Servant of God
Theophane OFM
Fr. Theophane was born in Koodalloor family among the nine sons as the sixth. Michael was his baptismal name. Michael had his schooling at the Govt. School of Kottappuram and at St. Albert’s High School, Ernakulam. From there, in response to the call to priesthood, he joined the Diocesan Seminary of Verapoly, Kerala. He entered into the Capuchin Ashram and made his First Profession on 1934. He received his Ordination from the Bishop of Ajmer, His Excellency Rt. Rev. Gueso Flack.
Servant of God
George Vakayil
George Vakayil or Vakayilachan was a Catholic priest proposed for sainthood from Koonammavu. George was born on September 12th , 1883 at Vakayil Family in Koonammavu, as the second child of Paily and Francisca. He started his lessons of catechism and academic studies at St. Philomena’s Forane Church, Koonammavu and the school nearby. George was keen on attending the holy mass every day and he served as an Altar boy in his home parish. He joined in Puthanpalli Seminary where he completed the pastoral studies. Fr. George Vakayil has served at Good Shepherd Church at Kottayam, Churches at Kurichi and Thottakam. He was instrumental in constructing houses for the destitute, helping the poor and ailing patients etc. At the time of his death, on 1931, Fr. George Vakayil was the Parish Priest at St. Mary Magdalene Church, Maradu under the Archdiocese of Verapoly. The Death Anniversary of George Vakayil is observed by the Church as a day of remembrance on 4 November of every year. He was declared as Servant of God on 1 September 2013 at St. Mary Magdalene Church Maradu, Moothedam by Metropolitan Archbishop Dr. Francis Kallarakal.
Servant of God
Teresa of St. Rose of Lima
Teresa of St. Rose of Lima was born on 29 January 1858 in George Town, Madras, to Peter D’Lima and Mary D’Lima. She received the name Mary Grace on baptism. She studied with the Presentation Sisters at George Town, Madras. After completing the schoolmistresses test, in 1875 she joined the staff of St. Xavier’s Free School, George Town, Madras. She took charge of St. Joseph School, Alleppey as the headmistress in 1879. In May 1882 she was received as a postulant by the priest Candidus. She received formation directly from the Carmelite fathers. On 29 April 1883, she was vested and given the name Teresa of St. Rose of Lima. She made her religious profession as a Carmelite Tertiary at St. Joseph’s Convent, Alleppey on 25 May 1885. She founded the third order of Our Lady of Mount Carmel known today as the Institute of the Carmelite Sisters of Saint Teresa (CSST) on 24 April 1887 in Ernakualm, India and also founded St. Teresa’s English Medium School for Girls on 9 May 1887. She died in a train accident on 12 September 1902 at Mangapatnam, Cuddapah, Andra Pradesh. The Catholic Church elevated her the status of Servant of God on August 22, 2015
Servant of God
Joseph Attipetty
Joseph Attipetty was born on June 25, 1894, as the second of five children of Matthew and Rosa, at Ochanthuruth in the parish of Cruz Milagris. His father was a seminarian, but realizing that his vocation was not priesthood, he dropped from seminary and later married Rosa. Attipetty was fondly called “Kochu Jusei” He did his primary education at St. Mary’s School, Ochanthuruth and then at St. Albert’s High School, Ernakulam. He was sent to St. Joseph’s college in Trichy, run by the Jesuit fathers for pursuing his bachelor’s degree. His association and close contact with the Jesuit clergy was instrumental in shaping his future. After completing his B.A degree, Attipetty returned to his native region. As his desire to become a priest grew stronger, he told his family, but had to face fierce opposition. But later, on the recommendation of several clergymen, a decision was taken in his favour. Angel Mary, the then Bishop of Verapoly, sent him to Rome for his priestly studies and formation.
Servant of God
Emmanuel Lopez
Msgr. Emmanuel Lopez was born on May 22, 1921 to Elias and Treesa Lopez as their eldest son. While he was 13 years of age he joined minor seminary. After he passed SSLC in year 1927 he joined Papal Seminary, Candy and while he was 26 he was ordained priest on 26th August 1934. On his return to his mother land he was appointed as the Assistant Vicar at Holy Family Church, Perumpilly later he was appointed as Parish Priest of Infant Jesus Church on 1939 and he served there for 23 years. He have been served as Administrator, Vicar General Pro Vicar General, Judicial Vicar of the Archdiocese. In 1981 March 19 he received the title Protonotary Apostolic Supernumerary. He was the first Catechism director of the Archdiocese. During his life time he have written many catechism books, songs dramas and novels. One of his master peace is the novel named Alexammavan. He was a confessor for many Bishop’s, priests and religious. For 35 years from 1962 he was frequent visitor of Ernakulam Government Hospital gave financial aid and console the needy. He died on March 29, 2004. He was declared Servant of God on July 19th, 2023.