A TRIBUTE TO OUR FOUNDER VENERABLE MAR THOMAS KURIALACHERRY

Описание: Mar Thomas Kurialacherry (14 January 1873 – 2 June 1925) was a pioneering Catholic bishop, educator, social reformer, and the first native bishop of what later became the Syro-Malabar Catholic Archdiocese of Changanacherry in Kerala, India.

🌱 Early Life & Education

Birth: Born on 14 January 1873 in Champakulam (then part of the Changanacherry region in Kerala) to parents Chackochen and Accamma.

As a child, Thomas showed deep piety and a strong desire for the priesthood from an early age.

⛪ Seminary & Ordination

He pursued his priestly studies at the Propaganda Fide Seminary in Rome, where he excelled academically and became prefect of the seminarians.

Ordination as priest: On 27 May 1899 by Cardinal Cassantha at the Basilica of St. John in Lateran, Rome.

🙏 Mission & Founding of Congregation

Deeply inspired by Eucharistic devotion during his seminary years, he felt called to make the Holy Eucharist known, loved, and adored always and everywhere.

In 1908, he founded the Sisters of the Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament (S.A.B.S.), a congregation dedicated to Eucharistic adoration and service. The first members began their life together in a humble setting in Champakulam before moving to a proper convent.

🕊 Episcopacy

Consecrated Bishop: He was appointed Apostolic Vicar of Changanacherry and consecrated on 3 December 1911 in Kandy (then Ceylon, now Sri Lanka).

Diocese Growth: Under his leadership the Vicariate was elevated, and in 1923 the Diocese of Changanacherry was officially established by Pope Pius XI.

📚 Education & Social Reform

A passionate advocate for education — especially women’s education — he founded St. Berchmans College, Changanacherry in 1922, one of Kerala’s oldest institutions of higher learning.

His work extended to marginalized communities as he urged social reforms and integration within the Church.

💫 Death & Legacy

He traveled to Rome in 1925 for Church matters and died there on 2 June 1925.

Later his remains were brought back and interred in the St. Mary’s Metropolitan Cathedral, Changanacherry.

In 1935 his cause for canonization was opened, granting him the title “Servant of God”, and in **2011 Pope Benedict XVI declared him “Venerable” for having lived a life of heroic Christian virtue.

🎓 Enduring Influence

Many educational and charitable institutions in Kerala are named in his honour, including women’s colleges and schools founded by the S.A.B.S. congregation he started. His motto emphasized renewal in Christ and the transformative power of education.

📌 Summary

Mar Thomas Kurialacherry was more than a bishop — he was a religious leader, visionary educator, social reformer, and founder of a major religious congregation. His work helped shape Catholic education and spirituality in Kerala and continues to have a lasting impact.