Bl.Chavara K. Elias
(1804 - 1871)

Am 8.2.1805 wurde Kuriakose Elisas Chavara in
Kainakari, Kerala geboren und entstammte einer
uralten christlichen Familie. Im Jahre 1829 zum Priester
geweiht und 1855 zum ersten Generalprior des Ordens
ernannt, wurde der begabte Prediger zum Erneuerer
der Kirche Keralas. Die Menschen strömten
zusammen, um ihn zu sehen und zu hören. Er legte das
Fundament für die katholische Presse in Indien und für
das höhere Schulwesen in Kerala. Aus dem kleinen
Samenkorn, das er in Mannanam legte, ist ein riesiger
Baum gewachsen, unter dessen Zweigen ungezählte
Menschen Schutz, Schatten und Hilfe finden.

Kuriakose Elias Chavara, der am 3. Januar 1871 starb,
wurde schon zu Lebzeiten wegen seiner Hingabe an die
Sache Christi, seines glühenden Eifers, seiner großen
Opferbereitschaft und demutsvollen Haltung, die in
tiefem Gottvertrauen wurzelten, wie ein Heiliger verehrt.
Papst Johannes Paul sprach ihn während seiner
Indienreise am 8.Februar 1986 selig.

Fr.Thomas Palackal
(1780-1841)

Malpan Thomas Palackal was born in the year 1780 in Palackal family in Pallipuram Parish. He was ordained in the year 1804.

Malpan Thomas Palackal is one of the founders of our Congregation. 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, before the canonical erection of the Congregation. He was buried at Pallipuram.

Fr.Thomas Porukara was born on Dec.27, 1799 in Porukara Family of Champakulam Praish. He was ordained on Sept.22, 1823.

Fr.Thomas Porukara is one of the founders of our Congregation. He had his priestly training in a Latin seminary enabling him to learn Latin language and traditions. Ordained at the age of 23, he was first appointed to his home parish, Champakulam. 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 Church and Monastery at Mannanam in the name of St.Joseph. After two years of service at Champakulam, Fr.Thomas was transferred to Thankasserry as the vicar of the Latin Church there. 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.