The Birth of CMI Congregation and Kuriakose Elias Chavara

From Hindu rishis to Buddhist Monastics, India is a land blessed with the sages from time immemorial. Even though traces of Catholic monasticism could be seen in India, they didn’t stand the test of time. It needed Fr. Thomas Porkura, Fr. Thomas Palackal, Fr. Kuriakose Elias Chavara and Bro. Jacob Kaniyanthara to begin an indigenous religious congregation which would play an important role in the growth of St. Thomas Christians in India.

The desire of the founding fathers was to lead a spiritual monastic life completely cutting themselves off from the affairs of the world. On communicating this idea to Msgr. Stabilini, the vicar apostolic, he was taken by surprise and shot back, ‘If erudite and educated priests like you retreat to forests for your own spiritual well being who will take care of the faithful?” He then asked them to start a monastery so that they could strive for their own spiritual growth together with working for the social, moral and spiritual advancement of brethren.

Unlike Europe, where monasteries were generously funded by Kings, establishing a monastery in Kerala was not an easy task. But Bishop Stabilini was confident that the generous Christians in Kerala would support this noble venture. He issued a letter asking people to contribute and himself gave Rs. 200 toward establishing the monastery. The permission to start the monastery was granted in 1829. After going around Kerala searching for a suitable place, the founding fathers zeroed in on Mannanam Hill. It was high enough and at the foot of it was water which would mean easy accessibility. Thus it was the ideal place for prayer/contemplation and also to serve the people.

The foundation stone of the monastery was laid on 11 May 1831. After a few weeks the Chapel was completed and blessed. Fr. Thomas Porukara and Chavara continuously resided in Mannanam from then on and Fr. Palackal, the Malpan was commuting between Pallipuram and Mannanam. Fr. Kuriakose Porukara write about the way the founding fathers lead the religious life, “As soon as they had achieved their intention in some measure, the fire that was burning in their heart began to emit rays of piety. Personal prayers, meditations, fasting, vigils, the very long Hudra [Canonical Prayer], the prayers of the three day fast, Raza [solemn liturgy] on Sunday and feast days, sung masses and sermons on special feasts- this was their routine….How wonderful it appears when we think of their spirit of poverty, eating very frugal meals, sleeping least comfortable.” A seminary too was started along with monastery to train both diocesan and religious priests. In 1844, Fr. Thomas Porukara and Kuriakose Elias Chavara were appointed Malpans by the Vicar Apostolic Francis Xavier Pescetto.

Fr. Thomas Palackal and Fr. Thomas Porukara passed away in 1841 and 1844 respectively. It was a testing time of the leadership of Kurikose Elias Chavara. But he successfully passed this test of fire by beautifully blending prayer and activities. With the religious profession of the first batch of eleven priests headed by Fr. Kuriakose Elias Chavara on 8^th December 1855, the religious community in Mannanam became a canonically recognized religious congregation. Fr. Kuriakose Elias Chavara was the first Prior General of the Congregation. The visionary leadership of Kuriakose Elias made sure that new religious congregation contributed to the social upliftment of the Keralite society and spiritual renewal of the St. Thomas Christians.

When Kuriakose Elias Chavara went back to the eternal abode on 3^rd January 1871, he had established seven new monasteries besides Mannanam. They are Konnammavu (1857), Elthurth (1858), Plasanal (1858), Vazhakulam (1859), Pulincunnu (1861), Ampazhakad (1868),    Mutholi (1869).

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Leadership of Chavara and Growth of the Carmelites of Mary Immaculate (CMI) Congregation

Source: Source:http://goo.gl/t8GlY

Some of the leadership qualities we can find in Bl Chavara are fairness, vision, openness, dedication, integrity, planning and so on. Fairness is dealing with others consistently and just.  Vision is having a clear idea about the end or aim. Openness helps to listen to new ideas. Dedication is spending time or energy to accomplish the task. Integrity is the integration of outward actions and inner values. Planning is making certain assumption about the future. The greatest contribution of Bl. Chavara to the church were founding of two indigenous congregations.  He understood that his mother church did not have its own religious communities. Together with Fr. Thomas Palackal and Fr. Thomas Porookara he worked relentlessly for the establishment of the religious community. Due to their intense prayer experience many wanted Chavara to open monasteries at their own locality and so with the help of the archbishop he started different monasteries.

St. Philomina’s Monastery Konnammavu (1857)

The Archbishop wanted to have a religious congregation for Latin priests. So he enlarged the presbytery and appointed a priest and two scholastics there. But the experiment did not succeed. So he requested Chavara to take over that house and send three priests and two scholastic from Mannanam. As per the request, Chavara send Fr. Munjanatt, Scholastics Thoppil, Parapuram, and Kanatt Paulose.at koonammavu Missionary Fr. Marceline received them. Later Fr. Mathew Manjanat was appointed vicar to the monastery church.

Elthuruth Monastery (1858)

The northern part of Kerala felt the need of a monastery. So collected money and brought a large compound. Bl. Chavara called this place as God’s Island (El - Thuruth). On the feast of purification of the Mother of God, February 2^nd 1858, Fr. Prior laid the foundation stone for the monastery as per the order of Vicar Apostolic. The bishop ordered to contribute excess  of income of the church for the construction of monastery. On 8 October 1866  the consecration of new chapel began under the leadership of Fr. Prior. In the course of time Elthuruth Monastery attained a status in the north equal to that of Mannanam in the south.

Plasnal Monastery (1858 - 1859)

Fr. Antony Kudakkachira was refused admission to the religious community at Mannanam. So he went with a vengeance that he would establish a monastery of his own. With the help of his parish he built a monastery. But unfortunately he and his candidate died while visiting Bagdad. Vicar Apostolic Bernardine asked Bl Chavara to take that monastery. But all those who were sent to that monastery had to come back due to sickness. So it was given up.

Vazhakulam (1859)

During the visit of Archbishop in Arakuzha parish Fr. Nambiaparambil informed that he was ready to give his property to build a monastery. On the feast of St. Joseph,  Fr. Jacob Kanatt was appointed vicar. Fr. Mathew Kalapurackal and Kurian Palackal and two brother co - operators from Konnammavu were sent to to the new monastery. On 1859 June 21 the new monastery was inaugurated.

Pulincunnu Monastery (1861- 1866)

After a retreat in the Pulincunnu parish by the TOCD fathers the people wanted a monastery there. They were ready to gift the chapel of St. Sebastian and the property around it to build a monastery. The work slowly progressed. First it was made a regular monastery and in 1872 it was became a seminary.

Ampazhakad Monastery (1868)

Earlier there was a Jesuit monastery at Ampazhakad and people were very much attracted to it. So vicar apostolic wanted to have a monastery at Ampazhakad. But the place was on the hand of a notorious person  called Mr Thomas Ittoop Kanichai. Due to some quarrel with his neighbour he was sent to jail. On that period he had a thought of donating the property to monastery.  Meanwhile Fr. Leopold was making inquires about the land. Finally they made an agreement with Itoop probably on 6 August 1867. But further development became difficult due to the quarrel in Kodassery family. With the help of Diwan the problems were settled down and the first members were Fr. Sebastian, Fr. Philip, Fr. Jacob and Fr. Mathew Maria. On December 15, 1868 they took the in charge of construction and collecting funds.

Mutholi (1869)

Bl. Chavara and Fr. Gerard OCD were on the way to Palai for helping the people to solve the problems of Rocos Schism and Padroado Schism. On that way they found this place. They made proper agreement with Mannor family, the land owners. In January 1871 the then pro vicar apostolic Philip OCD, laid the foundation. In 1875 Fr. Varkery Thaliath began to reside there and in 1878, on the feast day of St. John of the Cross, the Chapel was consecrated and the monastery was dedicated in his name.

Chethipuzha (attempts started from 1870)

The vicar of Changanaserry Fr. Cherian Chakkalayil happened to meet some of the TOCD fathers. He suggested having a monastery at Changanaserry as it would be helpful for the people. Bl. Chavara discussed this matter and wrote to Fr. Cherian to have an appropriate place for monastery. Fr. Cheiran suggested Chethipuzha. But at the same time the arrangements were being made for the establishment of Ampazhakad monastery. So Fr. Prior communicated this to Fr. Cherian. Meanwhile Bl. Chavara passed away. The foundation stone was laid only in 1883.

Affiliation of the Congregation to the OCD

Bl. Chavara prepared a set of rules based on the daily life the community was leading and submitted it for approval, but the Bishop Bernadine of Vearapoly sent him the Primitive Rule of the Carmelite Order. Bl. Chavara with the Bishop made appropriate modification and began the use of Reguala. In 1860 the religious institute of the Servants of the Immaculate Mother of Mount Carmel was affiliated to the Discalced Carmelite first order as the third order regular. All this happened because the bishop wanted others to be considered himself as  founder of this community. The Apostolic See approved the constitutions ad experimentum in 1885.

Implications of the Affiliation

It is to be noted that the affiliation made no much change in the life of the Institute. Its activities continued as before. The affiliation was effected in such a manner that the Prior General of the first order became the prior general of TOCD. He delegated Bishop Baccinelli, the Vicar Apostolic as the provincial of this community. The delegate appointed Bl. Chavara as the common prior. As a result the new member had to take vows to the VicarApostolic and to Fr. Prior and their successors.

Proposal to Make TOCD an OCD Province

During the time of 1^st Vatican Council Fr. Leopold made arrangement to make TOCD as an OCD province. While Fr. Leopold was making the arrangements, the then prior General of OCD and Bishop Bernadine passed away. The new Prior General and Archbishop Leonard had a difference in opinion about this.  Fr. Leopold was called back due the difficulties with the new archbishop and the new OCD prior general entrusted all the affairs of the third order to Archbishop Leonard. So the effort to make TOCD an OCD province got stopped.

TOCD becomes CMI

In 1958, the name Third Order of Carmelites (TOCD) was changed to Carmelites of Mary Immaculate (CMI). The Congregation was granted pontifical exemption in 1967.  

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