The saintly Kuriakose Elias
Chavara had a profound understanding of death. His reflections on death were in
tune with the theology and spirituality of his times which could very well be
seen in the frightening and fearful picture which he shares through his
writings. But he optimistically prescribes various means to safely sail across
the troubled ocean to reach the Promised Land. He looks up to Blessed Virgin Mary ‘as the
strong vessel, strong enough to resist the tempest of the sea, which gives
guarantee of safety and protection to passengers’ and St. Joseph as ‘the sailor
who is familiar with the route and who would safely bring the passengers to a safe landing. ‘The Confraternity of
Happy Death’ of St. Joseph, +the patron of happy death was established by
Kuriakose Elias and requested people to join so that they could confidently
face death and reach heaven. He concludes a letter written to parishioners in
Kainakary with the following words, “Each month, on this particular day read
this and say the following ejaculatory prayer: “Lord accept the soul of this
your servant in the home of the just.” This is my only request to you.
Toward the end of 1870, Chavara
Kuriakose Elias knew that he was inching closer to death. As Kuriakose Porukara writes, “As the Prior
was aware by a special intuition the approach of his death, he was continuously
preparing for a happy death.” In many of the churches which Kuriakose Elias
preached in 1870’s he stated that this would be his last sermon and also
repeated the same to the priests who had assembled for retreat. Even during the
difficult times of his life, he was very particular in celebrating mass at 5:00
am and relied greatly on the Blessed Virgin Mary and St. Joseph .
He lost his eye sight during the
last three months of this life on earth but instead of becoming irritated or
sorrowful, he remained pleasant with a smile on his face. He suffered a lot
during the last three days before his death. On 2 January 1871, he made his last confession
to Fr. Leopold and received Holy Communion. He told the members who were
standing near his death bead, ‘Why are you weeping? Man, whoever he be, has to
die one day. Now it is my time. For a few days, I was preparing myself as far
as possible.” Then he revealed the secret which he hid from everyone , “By the grace of God I dare to say that with their help never had I
an occasion to be deprived of the grace received in baptism.” After Fr. Joseph
John of the Cross, the vicar of the Monastery of Koonammavu administered the
sacrament, Kuriakose Elias Chavara blessed all the members who were present.
When Fr. Leopold asked, “Father, how are you now? Are you happy? Are you
peaceful at heart?” He replied, “Father, now I have peace and joy.” These were
his last words and he lost his consciousness. On January 3, 1871, at 7:15 in
the morning Kuriakose Elias Chavara breathed his last.
The funeral was held on 4
January, 1871. The funeral mass was celebrated by Fr. John of the Cross, the
vicar, the sermon was preached by Fr. Mathai Kappil and Fr Kuriakose Eliseus
Porukara conducted the funeral services. Fr. Valerian writes that ‘according to
eyewitnesses the rush of people was such that it filled over the precincts of
the church. During the funeral speech Fr. Mathai Kappil said, “Today the flag
of Kerala has fallen.’ Then the bells rang and people burst out in loud
cries. Kuriakose Elias Chavara was laid
to rest at St. Philomena’s monastery
Church , Koonammavu. When
this church was handed over to Latinites after the creation of Thrissur and
Kottayam vicariates, the relics of Chavara was transferred from Konnammavu to
Mannanam on 24 May 1899.
Kuriakose Elias Chavara is not the Founder of CTC . Servant of God Mother Eliswa Vakayil is the founder of CTC congregation
ReplyDeleteMore books, articles, images, videos, prayers, etc., On Saint Chavara available at :- www.chavaralibrary.in
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