Thomas Kurialacherry,
affectionately known as ‘Kunjuthomachen’, was born on January 14, 1873, in
Champakulam, Changanacherry, Kerala, to his parents Chackochen and Accamma.
Characterized by profound piety and goodness from early childhood, he developed
a deep devotion to the Blessed Mother and the Eucharistic Lord. He decided to
pursue his lifelong dream of priesthood while studying at Mannanam. Later,
during his seminary years in Rome, he was deeply inspired by the Perpetual
Adoration sisters, who spent their days and nights in adoration before the
Blessed Sacrament. This experience sparked an inner calling within him to
spread love and adoration for the Eucharistic Lord everywhere. His nine years
at the Propaganda College were highly distinguished; records note him as a
natural leader, an exceptional student, and a deeply dedicated missionary.
Following his ordination on May
27, 1899, by Cardinal Cassantha, Father Thomas celebrated his inaugural Holy
Mass at the Jesuit chapel of Jesu. Upon returning home, he dedicated himself to
fostering Eucharistic devotion across his homeland. In what appeared to be a
providential meeting, he crossed paths with Philomina Vallayil (later known as
Mary Francesca de Chantal), who shared his spiritual vision and wished to
become a nun. Together, they established the Adoration Congregation on December
8, 1908. His leadership was further elevated in 1911 when he was appointed the
Vicar Apostolica of Changanacherry, a milestone that catalyzed the expansion of
the congregation throughout various Syro-Malabar dioceses in Kerala.
Beyond his religious duties,
Bishop Kurialacherry was a passionate social reformer who fought for the
upliftment of marginalized communities, notably integrating Dalits into the
mainstream Catholic community. He was a champion for equality, peace, and justice,
using his voice to counter the prevailing social evils of Kerala. Known for his
ecumenical approach, he actively sought unity among different Christian
communities, while his innate compassion made him a pillar of comfort for the
grieving and suffering. Education was another core pillar of his mission;
recognizing it as a tool to dispel ignorance, he founded several educational
institutions, including St. Berchmans' College in Changanacherry. His spiritual
dedication was documented in 113 pastoral letters and demonstrated through his
vigorous promotion of solemn Holy Hour celebrations and 40 and 13 hours adoration.
As he prepared for his ‘ad limina’
visit to Rome during the Silver Jubilee of his ordination—where he also
intended to attend the beatification of St. Thérèse of Lisieux—he held a strong
premonition that he would not return. Before departing, he commended the
sisters to the care of the Immaculate Virgin Mary and sought forgiveness for
any of his shortcomings. While in Rome, he accepted an invitation from
Changanacherry seminarians to celebrate Holy Mass at Propaganda College.
Despite severe exhaustion, he completed the Mass but fainted immediately
afterward, meaning his very first and final Holy Masses were offered at the
exact same altar. He passed away on June 2, 1925. His earthly remains were
brought back to the Changanacherry Metropolitan Cathedral church in 1935, and
were later relocated to the newly constructed 'Marth Mariam Kabaridapalli'
chapel on March 25, 2014.
The enduring belief in Bishop Kurialacherry’s sanctity prompted an ongoing stream of pilgrims to his tomb, with many reporting graces and favours received through his intercession. This devotion drove the collective desire to see him formally recognized by the Church. His beatification cause officially commenced in 1983 at Changanacherry, with the diocesan phase concluding in 1991 under postulator Rev. Msgr. Paul Pallath. The formal "Positio" documenting his heroic virtues was submitted to the Sacred Congregation for the Causes of Saints in 1996. Following a unanimous vote by a panel of theologians and the Promoter of Faith on March 26, 2010, the Cardinals and Bishops approved the documentation. Consequently, the Pope issued a decree officially declaring him ‘Venerable’ on April 2, 2011. The path forward to his eventual beatification and canonization now awaits the verification of subsequent miracles.
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"Praise be to the Eucharistic Heart of Jesus"
My dear sisters,
As we look upon the sacred journey of our Adoration Congregation, we are called to anchor our lives deeply in the dual spiritual legacy left to us by our Venerable Founder, Mar Thomas Kurialacherry, and our beloved Co-Foundress, Mother Mary Francesca de Chantal. From his earliest days in Champakulam to his transformative years in Rome, Mar Thomas carried an unquenchable fire—an inner calling to make the Eucharistic Lord known, loved, and adored by all, always and everywhere. This same Eucharistic flame burned brightly in the heart of Mother Chantal, who, despite early family pressures and personal loss, maintained a silent, unyielding desire to dedicate herself entirely to God. Their providential meeting at Kalloorkatt Church was not a mere coincidence, but a divine appointment that set our congregation into motion on December 8, 1908, giving life to a mission of perpetual love and adoration.
To live out this charism authentically, we must look to our pioneers as beacons of tireless service and unwavering commitment to the Gospel. Mar Thomas was a good shepherd, a prophetic social reformer who championed the cause of the marginalized, and a visionary educator who established institutions like St. Berchmans' College to dispel darkness through knowledge. When the responsibility of building our very first schools and convents fell upon Mother Chantal, she managed these arduous tasks with exceptional competence and grace. Their lives remind us that our adoration before the Blessed Sacrament must always overflow into active, compassionate service toward the suffering, the poor, and the broken, turning our contemplation into a living testament of Christ's love in the world.
Yet, the true depth of our spirituality is forged not just in our active labours, but in how we embrace the shadow of the Cross. Both our founders walked a path marked by immense trial and profound sacrifice. Mar Thomas offered his final, exhausted breaths at the very same altar where he celebrated his first Mass, viewing his life as a complete offering. Mother Chantal’s path was one of silent martyrdom; she faced severe , systemic humiliation, and heartbreaking isolation, even within the community she helped build. Instead of succumbing to bitterness, she joyfully united her sufferings with the 'Suffering Servant of Yahweh,'routinely bowing her head in submission with the ords, ‘Glory to God.’ In our own moments of community trials, personal exhaustion, or external opposition, let us draw strength from her heroic resilience, remembering that true sanctity is found in quiet fidelity.
As your Provincial Superior, I invite each of you to renew your vows of love to the Eucharistic Lord with the same fervour that defined our origins. Let us frequent the chapel in the quiet hours of the night, as Mother Chantal did, drawing the spiritual nourishment required to sustain our mission. Let us be inspired by the Church's recognition of Mar Thomas as 'Venerable' and the official honouring of Mother Chantal's legacy as our Co-Foundress. May we walk forward hand-in-hand, carrying their apostolic zeal, sharing our resources generously with the poor, and vigorously promoting Eucharistic devotion, so that through our simple lives, the greaterglory of God may be revealed to all His people.
May God Bless you . . .