Euphrasia Eluvathingal
Encyclopedia
Blessed Sister Euphrasia Eluvathingal or Euphrasia of the Sacred Heart of Jesus (October 7, 1877 - August 29, 1952) is the fifth Syro-Malabar Catholic Church
nun and a member of Carmelites of Mary Immaculate
beatified by the Roman Catholic Church
in 2006.
. Rosa was the eldest child of Eluvathingal Cherpukaran Antony and Kunjethy. On the 8th day, she was baptised in the Edathuruthy church. At the age of 12th, she joined boarding attached to the first indigenous Carmelite community founded by Blessed Kuriakose Elias Chavara
and Rev. Leopold Beccaro 1866 at Koonammavu in Thrissur district
.
, established a Carmelite Convent in Ambazakad (now belonging to the Syro-Malabar Catholic Diocese of Irinjalakuda
). Then he brought from Koonammavu all who belonged to his Diocese including Rosa on May 9th. On the next day Rosa received her headdress and the name “Euphrasia of the Sacred Heart of Jesus”, and in 1898 the Religious Habit of Carmel. Euphrasia took her perpetual vows on 24 May 1900 during the blessing of the newly founded convent at Ollur
.
After she took her perpetual vows, she was appointed assistant to the Novice Mistress. Though frail in health, Euphrasia exhibited rare moral courage, spiritual power and a very high sense of responsibility and so she was soon appointed Novice Mistress of the Congregation in which position she worked for nine years. After this she was made Mother Superior of St. Mary’s Convent, Ollur
. Prayer was her life breath wherever she was. Hence people called her the "Praying Mother" and “the mobile tabernacle.”
Convent in the Syro-Malabar Catholic Archdiocese of Thrissur where she is buried later. Her tomb in Ollur
Convent has become a pilgrimage site as miracles have been reported by some faithful. The miracle attributed to her beatification and approved by the Vatican
was the healing of the carpenter from bone cancer.
, the Archbishop of Thrissur
, started the initial steps for the beatification process as he instituted the Diocesan Tribunal for the Cause of Mother Euphrasia in 1987 by declaring her as 'Servant of God'. When Pope John Paul II
on July 5, 2002, declared the heroic practice of the theological virtues and the cardinal virtues of Euphrasia, she was called 'Venerable'. On June 26, 2006 when Pope Benedict XVI
confirmed the miracle done through her intercession, all steps in the process of beatification were completed.
On December 3, 2006, she was beatified in St. Anthony's Forane Church
, Ollur
, Thrissur
, with the declaration of the Major Archbishop, Varkey Vithayathil on behalf of the Pope Benedict XVI
. Apostolic nuncio to India Archbishop Pedro Lopez Quintana and Archbishop Jacob Thoomkuzhy of Syro-Malabar Catholic Archdiocese of Thrissur joined 30 prelates and 500 priests for the beatification events. Ollur
parish belongs to Syro-Malabar Catholic Archdiocese of Thrissur, part of the Syro-Malabar Church, one of the two Catholic Oriental-rites based in Kerala
.
Syro-Malabar Catholic Church
The Syro-Malabar Catholic Church in India is an East Syrian Rite, Major Archiepiscopal Church in full communion with the Catholic Church. It is one of the 22 sui iuris Eastern Catholic Churches in the Catholic Church. It is the largest of the Saint Thomas Christian denominations with more than 3.6...
nun and a member of Carmelites of Mary Immaculate
Carmelites of Mary Immaculate
The Carmelites of Mary Immaculate is an religious order for men in the Syro-Malabar Church. It is the first Catholic religious congregation founded in India. The first monastery of the order was established on 11 May 1831 at Mannanam, Kerala, India...
beatified by the Roman Catholic Church
Roman Catholic Church
The Catholic Church, also known as the Roman Catholic Church, is the world's largest Christian church, with over a billion members. Led by the Pope, it defines its mission as spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ, administering the sacraments and exercising charity...
in 2006.
Early Life
Euphrasia Eluvathingal (Rosa) was born on October 17, 1877, in the village of Kattur, in Syro-Malabar Catholic Archdiocese of Thrissur in Thrissur districtThrissur district
Thrissur is a revenue district of Kerala situated in the central part of that state. Spanning an area of about 3,032 km2, Thrissur district is home to over 10% of Kerala’s population. Thrissur district was formed on July 1, 1949, with the headquarters at Thrissur City. Thrissur is known as...
. Rosa was the eldest child of Eluvathingal Cherpukaran Antony and Kunjethy. On the 8th day, she was baptised in the Edathuruthy church. At the age of 12th, she joined boarding attached to the first indigenous Carmelite community founded by Blessed Kuriakose Elias Chavara
Kuriakose Elias Chavara
Blessed Kuriakose Elias Chavara was the co-founder and first prior-general of the Congregation of the Carmelites of Mary Immaculate and of the Congregation of the Sisters of the Mother of Carmel....
and Rev. Leopold Beccaro 1866 at Koonammavu in Thrissur district
Thrissur district
Thrissur is a revenue district of Kerala situated in the central part of that state. Spanning an area of about 3,032 km2, Thrissur district is home to over 10% of Kerala’s population. Thrissur district was formed on July 1, 1949, with the headquarters at Thrissur City. Thrissur is known as...
.
Religious Life
In 1897, Mar John Menachery, the first native Bishop of ThrissurThrissur
This article is about the city in India. For the district, see Thrissur district. For the urban agglomeration area of Thrissur see Thrissur Metropolitan Area...
, established a Carmelite Convent in Ambazakad (now belonging to the Syro-Malabar Catholic Diocese of Irinjalakuda
Syro-Malabar Catholic Diocese of Irinjalakuda
The Syro-Malabar Catholic Diocese of Irinjalakuda is situated in Irinjalakuda city of Thrissur District of Kerala, India. The Diocese was created by Pope Paul VI in his Bull Trichurensis Eparchiae of June 22, 1978. Mar James Pazhayattil was the first Bishop. He was succeeded by Mar Pauly Kannookadan...
). Then he brought from Koonammavu all who belonged to his Diocese including Rosa on May 9th. On the next day Rosa received her headdress and the name “Euphrasia of the Sacred Heart of Jesus”, and in 1898 the Religious Habit of Carmel. Euphrasia took her perpetual vows on 24 May 1900 during the blessing of the newly founded convent at Ollur
Ollur
Ollur is a major suburban area and an old commercial town in the Thrissur district of Kerala state, South India. It is situated about 5 km away from Swaraj Round on National Highway 47 commonly referred to as NH47 towards Ernakulam. From ancient time onwards Ollur was a major business centre...
.
After she took her perpetual vows, she was appointed assistant to the Novice Mistress. Though frail in health, Euphrasia exhibited rare moral courage, spiritual power and a very high sense of responsibility and so she was soon appointed Novice Mistress of the Congregation in which position she worked for nine years. After this she was made Mother Superior of St. Mary’s Convent, Ollur
Ollur
Ollur is a major suburban area and an old commercial town in the Thrissur district of Kerala state, South India. It is situated about 5 km away from Swaraj Round on National Highway 47 commonly referred to as NH47 towards Ernakulam. From ancient time onwards Ollur was a major business centre...
. Prayer was her life breath wherever she was. Hence people called her the "Praying Mother" and “the mobile tabernacle.”
Death
Euphrasia died on August 29, 1952 at OllurOllur
Ollur is a major suburban area and an old commercial town in the Thrissur district of Kerala state, South India. It is situated about 5 km away from Swaraj Round on National Highway 47 commonly referred to as NH47 towards Ernakulam. From ancient time onwards Ollur was a major business centre...
Convent in the Syro-Malabar Catholic Archdiocese of Thrissur where she is buried later. Her tomb in Ollur
Ollur
Ollur is a major suburban area and an old commercial town in the Thrissur district of Kerala state, South India. It is situated about 5 km away from Swaraj Round on National Highway 47 commonly referred to as NH47 towards Ernakulam. From ancient time onwards Ollur was a major business centre...
Convent has become a pilgrimage site as miracles have been reported by some faithful. The miracle attributed to her beatification and approved by the Vatican
Holy See
The Holy See is the episcopal jurisdiction of the Catholic Church in Rome, in which its Bishop is commonly known as the Pope. It is the preeminent episcopal see of the Catholic Church, forming the central government of the Church. As such, diplomatically, and in other spheres the Holy See acts and...
was the healing of the carpenter from bone cancer.
Beatification
Mar Joseph KundukulamJoseph Kundukulam
Mar Joseph Kundukulam was the first Metropolitan Archbishop of Syro-Malabar Catholic Archdiocese of Thrissur from . Kundukulam was succeeded by Mar Jacob Thoomkuzhy. Kundukulam retired as Archbishop in 1997 and died at Wamba, Kenya on April 26, 1998. He was buried at Our Lady of Lourdes...
, the Archbishop of Thrissur
Archbishop of Thrissur
The Archbishop of Thrissur is the chief bishop and principal leader of the nearly half a million Syro Malabar Catholics now used to be the largest catholic diocese in India, when it included the Syro-Malabar Catholic Archdiocese of Thrissur, Syro-Malabar Catholic Diocese of Irinjalakuda,...
, started the initial steps for the beatification process as he instituted the Diocesan Tribunal for the Cause of Mother Euphrasia in 1987 by declaring her as 'Servant of God'. When Pope John Paul II
Pope John Paul II
Blessed Pope John Paul II , born Karol Józef Wojtyła , reigned as Pope of the Catholic Church and Sovereign of Vatican City from 16 October 1978 until his death on 2 April 2005, at of age. His was the second-longest documented pontificate, which lasted ; only Pope Pius IX ...
on July 5, 2002, declared the heroic practice of the theological virtues and the cardinal virtues of Euphrasia, she was called 'Venerable'. On June 26, 2006 when Pope Benedict XVI
Pope Benedict XVI
Benedict XVI is the 265th and current Pope, by virtue of his office of Bishop of Rome, the Sovereign of the Vatican City State and the leader of the Catholic Church as well as the other 22 sui iuris Eastern Catholic Churches in full communion with the Holy See...
confirmed the miracle done through her intercession, all steps in the process of beatification were completed.
On December 3, 2006, she was beatified in St. Anthony's Forane Church
St. Anthony's Forane Church
The St. Anthony's Forane Church is located at Ollur in Kerala, India. The church belongs to Syro-Malabar Catholic Archdiocese of Thrissur. According to rough figures there are around 4,000 Christian families in the parish...
, Ollur
Ollur
Ollur is a major suburban area and an old commercial town in the Thrissur district of Kerala state, South India. It is situated about 5 km away from Swaraj Round on National Highway 47 commonly referred to as NH47 towards Ernakulam. From ancient time onwards Ollur was a major business centre...
, Thrissur
Thrissur
This article is about the city in India. For the district, see Thrissur district. For the urban agglomeration area of Thrissur see Thrissur Metropolitan Area...
, with the declaration of the Major Archbishop, Varkey Vithayathil on behalf of the Pope Benedict XVI
Pope Benedict XVI
Benedict XVI is the 265th and current Pope, by virtue of his office of Bishop of Rome, the Sovereign of the Vatican City State and the leader of the Catholic Church as well as the other 22 sui iuris Eastern Catholic Churches in full communion with the Holy See...
. Apostolic nuncio to India Archbishop Pedro Lopez Quintana and Archbishop Jacob Thoomkuzhy of Syro-Malabar Catholic Archdiocese of Thrissur joined 30 prelates and 500 priests for the beatification events. Ollur
Ollur
Ollur is a major suburban area and an old commercial town in the Thrissur district of Kerala state, South India. It is situated about 5 km away from Swaraj Round on National Highway 47 commonly referred to as NH47 towards Ernakulam. From ancient time onwards Ollur was a major business centre...
parish belongs to Syro-Malabar Catholic Archdiocese of Thrissur, part of the Syro-Malabar Church, one of the two Catholic Oriental-rites based in Kerala
Kerala
or Keralam is an Indian state located on the Malabar coast of south-west India. It was created on 1 November 1956 by the States Reorganisation Act by combining various Malayalam speaking regions....
.