KOCHI: If you thought canonisation of two blessed souls from the state—Kuriakose Elias Chavara and Mother Euphrasia—scheduled to be held on Sunday was wonderful enough, think again. Out of the 30 pious men and women the Catholic Church in India has placed on the path of beatification, 28 are from Kerala, a feat that could well earn it the ‘Cradle of Saints’ epithet in the future.
Catholics in Kerala comprise less than one per cent of the global Catholic population.
Out of 28 revered spiritual men and women, three each have acquired the status of the Blessed (third of four stages of canonisation) and the Venerable (second stage), while 21 are Servants of God (first stage).
The other two Indians on the list with status of the Blessed are Mother Teresa and Fr Joseph Vaz, a missionary who served in Sri Lanka. Interestingly, Devasahayam Pillai is the only layman on the list while all others are bishops, priests, or nuns. The list from Kerala includes Fr Zakharias, a Spanish missionary who began his holy life in India as a teacher and had devoted about 45 years here, and two German missionaries —Mother Petra Morningman and Br Fortnatus — who served, died and were buried here. “This is a list of people likely to be canonised. The process cannot be completed within a definite time period. The long list shows the depth of faith of Catholics here,” said Fr Varghese Vallikkat, deputy secretary, Kerala Catholic Bishops Council and director of the Pastoral Orientation Centre.
Devasahayam Pillai, Sr Mariyam Thresia and Fr Augustine Thevarparampil (Kunjachan) of Ramapuram have been conferred the Blessed status and are likely to be declared saints in the near future. The three who have acquired Venerable status are Fr Mathayi Kadalikkatil, Mar Thomas Kurialassery and Fr Aurelian. Of these Fr Aurelien is a Portuguese missionary.
Those declared Servants of God include Mother Eliswa, she founded the first indigenous Third Order of Discalced Carmelites(TOCD) for women in Kerala on February 13, 1866.
Joining her are Puthenparampil Thommachan and Fr Mathew Makkil. Thommachan, popularly known as Kerala Assissi, was declared as ‘Servant of God’in 2012 and Fr Makkil is considered the stepping stone for the growth of Knanaya community. In the list we also have revered figures like Fr Sebastian Presentation, Fr Thomas Poothathil and Fr Varghese Payyapilli. Fr Sebastian who spent his childhood at Kattoor in Kerala was awarded the first stage of canonisation on June 13, 20013.
The respected figures whose names are etched in the list include Fr Augustine John Ukken, Archbishop Mar Ivanios, Fr George Vakayil and others. Fr Vallikkatu said in early years Europeans were usually canonised as the church was centred there. “As the church grew globally, people from different parts of the world are being canonised,” he said.