Venerable Mar Thomas Kurialacherry

 

First Bishop of the Diocese of Changanacherry
Born	Jan. 14, 1873
Died	on June 2nd, 1925, Rome
Servant of GOD	Dec. 13, 1991
Venerated	April 2, 2011, By  Pope Benedict XVI
Founder of	Sisters of the Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament(S.A.B.S.)
Motto	“Renew everything in Christ”
Mortal Remains In	Changanacherry , Metropolitan Cathedral Church

 

The Venerable Thomas Kurialacherry born on January 14, 1873 at Champakulam (Kerala) in Kurialacherry family. He was fortunate indeed to have his priestly studies in Propaganda college, Rome . He was ordained priest on May 27, he served as vicar in the parishes of Chennamkary, Kavalam, Edathua and Champakulam. Mar Thomas Kurialacherry was consecrated bishop on 3rd Dec. 1911.   In order to make his vision concrete, the Venerable founded the religious Congregation of the Sisters of the Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament in 1908.  As Bishop, Mar Thomas took keen interest in educating the faithful in the doctrine and the teachings of the Church and in promoting evangelical values. He introduced discipline and accountability in the administration of the parishes; fought against such rampant social evils as alcoholism, exploitation of women, social injustice. The poor and the suffering found in him a father and a refuge. Being a strong advocate of education, Mar Thomas started several educational institutions including St. Berchman's College at Changanacherry. His 113 pastoral letters bear witness to the apostolic zeal for the spiritual welfare of the people of God.   The saintly bishop died in Rome on June 2nd, 1925. His mortal remains were brought back to Changanacherry on July 25, 1934 and interred in the Metropolitan Cathedral Church.His cause of canonization was taken up in 1983 and he was declared Servant of God on Dec. 13, 1991.   On April 2, 2011, the Holy Father,His Holiness, Pope Benedict XVI approved a statement saying that Bishop Kurialachery had lived a life of heroic virtue. This gives him the additional title of "Venerable".