Born in Kerala in 1805, he was ordained priest in 1829. St. Kuriakose Elias Chavara wa a multifaceted personality, a pioneer in many fields of activity.

In the first place he was a man of God, a Yogi in the true traditions of India. His life was a blend of Karmayoga, Jnanayoga and Bhaktiyoga. He was the inspiration behind the founding of the first indigenous congregation for women- Congregation of the Mother of Carmel(CMC).

St. Kuriakose Elias Chavara was a product of his time, culture and country. He was a social reformer, an educationist, a writer and a mystic. He will be remembered as a great pioneer and champion of value oriented education. He is the pride not only of Kerala but of entire mankind.

 

SAYINGS OF SAINT KURIAKOSE ELIAS CHAVARA TO CHILDREN

“The children are treasures entrusted to the families by God to sanctify their souls with his precious blood, and make them His ministers in this world, and to return them to Him on the day of final Judgment.”   St. Chavara

 

• Children, you are God’s investment in the hands of your parents.

• The Children who have love of God and fear of God will love and respect their parents

• Trust your mother; God will hear the mother’s request like the baby’s request.

• Wisdom and purity should be spiritual food, like food for natural growth.

• Go to school regularly and recall what is taught during the week

• Laziness fosters evil habits.

• Let your friends be those who love God.

• Good friends will make you good.

• Keeping of bad books is like hiding fire in straw.

• Regular reading of good books and meditating on it will illumine the mind.

• Attain punctuality by means of a regular time-table.