Statement of Faith
- St. John Vianney Parish Community
- As followers of Jesus Christ, and as full members of the Roman Catholic Church, we, the parish community of St. John Vianney, joyfully proclaim our saviour risen. Through prayer, and sacramental celebration of life in Jesus, we join as co-creators in his mission of justice and peace, through the power of the Holy Spirit for the glory of God.
Wednesday, September 29, 2010
THE CARMELITES OF MARY IMMACULATE (CMI)
4:51 PM | 
Posted by
St. John Vianney Parish Community |
The Carmelites of Mary ImmaculateFr. Isaac Tharayil, Pastor and Fr. Jose Koluthara, Associate Pastor are priests of the CMI Congregation.
The Carmelites of Mary Immaculate (CMI) is an Eastern Catholic religious order for men. It Belongs to the Syro-Malabar Church. It is the first religious congregation founded in the Church in India. The first monastery of the order was established om May 11, 1831 at Mannanam, Kerala, Indiaand quickly grew. Fr. Palackal Thomas, Fr. Thomas Porukara, and Blessed Kuriakose Elias Chavara founded the order. On December 8, 1855, the religious congregation was canonically approved and the first 11 fathers made their religious profession. Blessed Chavara, the only surviving founder then, was appointed the first superior of the congregation.
The Congregation was granted pontifical exemption in 1967. From the very beginning, the religious life in the congregation was rooted in the Indian, Oriental, and Carmeilte spiritual traditions. Being contemplatives in action, the members engaged in such activities as the Church in Kerala, India was in need of at particular times. They preached retreats, conducted seminaries for the training of the local clergy, met the challenge of educating the youth and disseminating Christian literature, laboured for the propogation of the faith, for the reunion of separated bretheren, undertook works of mercy, and started charitable institutions. The Prior General's house at Chavara Hills in Kochi, Kerala, India is the headquarters of the Congregation. For the sake of administartion, the Congregation is divided into 14 provinces, one region and 5 sub-regions. At present the Congregation has about 3,000 members including 5 bishops, 1,539 priests, 2 permanent deacons, 33 brothers and 1,300 brothers in formation. More than half of the priests are working outside Kerala, of whom about 300 are doing pastoral services in 23 countries around the world. There are sevenCMIs working in Canada, three in the Diocese of Hamilton, two in the Diocese of Charlottetown (PEI), and two in Barrie, in the Diocese of Toronto.
Our Founder Kuriakose (Cyriac) Chavara was born in 1805, of pious and devout Catholic parents of Syro-Malabar Church, at "Kainakary", Kerala, India. After his early schooling in the native village and priestly studies under Fr. Thomas Palackal, he was ordained a priest in 1829. In 1831, co-operating with Fr. Thomas Palackal, and Fr. Thomas Porukara, he founded the first indigenous religious congregation for men, now known as the Carmelites of Mary Immcaulate(CMI). Starting seven religious houses, including the first one at Mannanam, Kerala, India, the new Congregation made great strides in the spiritual renovation of the Syro-Malabar church. With the support of generous members of the the Catholic parishes in Canada, America and Europe, the CMIs take care of the less fortunate in different parts of the world, especially in India. So, we are gratefulto you for all your support.
When a schism threatened the church in 1861, Fr. Kuriakose Elias Chavara, the then Vicar General of the Syro-Malabar Church, tyook a strong stand and gave effective leadership in thwarting Thomas Roccos' intrusion and saving the Church in Kerala from schism. Fr. Kuriakose Elias Chavara lived a holy life and was called to his heavenly reward on 3 January 1871. On 7 April 1984, Pope John Paul II solemnly recognized the heroic virtues of the Servant of God and elevated him to the state of Venerable. On 8 February 1986, during his historic visit to "Kottayam", Kerala, India Pope John Paul II raised Venerable Kuriakose Elias Chavarato the honours of the altar declaring him 'Blessed'.
Some of his contributions to the society of Kerala, India had far reaching effects. It was he, in his capacity as the Vicar General, made it mandatory for every parish in Kerala to have a catholic school, where students from all different religions could get admission. It was he who popularized the piety of 40-hour adoration of the Blessed Sacramentin the Syro-Malabar rite community. The members of CMI religious order, serving the catholic church all over the world try to continue the noble works begun by their holy founder, Blessed Kuriakose Elias Chavara, who the hope and pray, if God willing, will soon be canonized.
The Congregation was granted pontifical exemption in 1967. From the very beginning, the religious life in the congregation was rooted in the Indian, Oriental, and Carmeilte spiritual traditions. Being contemplatives in action, the members engaged in such activities as the Church in Kerala, India was in need of at particular times. They preached retreats, conducted seminaries for the training of the local clergy, met the challenge of educating the youth and disseminating Christian literature, laboured for the propogation of the faith, for the reunion of separated bretheren, undertook works of mercy, and started charitable institutions. The Prior General's house at Chavara Hills in Kochi, Kerala, India is the headquarters of the Congregation. For the sake of administartion, the Congregation is divided into 14 provinces, one region and 5 sub-regions. At present the Congregation has about 3,000 members including 5 bishops, 1,539 priests, 2 permanent deacons, 33 brothers and 1,300 brothers in formation. More than half of the priests are working outside Kerala, of whom about 300 are doing pastoral services in 23 countries around the world. There are sevenCMIs working in Canada, three in the Diocese of Hamilton, two in the Diocese of Charlottetown (PEI), and two in Barrie, in the Diocese of Toronto.
Our Founder Kuriakose (Cyriac) Chavara was born in 1805, of pious and devout Catholic parents of Syro-Malabar Church, at "Kainakary", Kerala, India. After his early schooling in the native village and priestly studies under Fr. Thomas Palackal, he was ordained a priest in 1829. In 1831, co-operating with Fr. Thomas Palackal, and Fr. Thomas Porukara, he founded the first indigenous religious congregation for men, now known as the Carmelites of Mary Immcaulate(CMI). Starting seven religious houses, including the first one at Mannanam, Kerala, India, the new Congregation made great strides in the spiritual renovation of the Syro-Malabar church. With the support of generous members of the the Catholic parishes in Canada, America and Europe, the CMIs take care of the less fortunate in different parts of the world, especially in India. So, we are gratefulto you for all your support.
When a schism threatened the church in 1861, Fr. Kuriakose Elias Chavara, the then Vicar General of the Syro-Malabar Church, tyook a strong stand and gave effective leadership in thwarting Thomas Roccos' intrusion and saving the Church in Kerala from schism. Fr. Kuriakose Elias Chavara lived a holy life and was called to his heavenly reward on 3 January 1871. On 7 April 1984, Pope John Paul II solemnly recognized the heroic virtues of the Servant of God and elevated him to the state of Venerable. On 8 February 1986, during his historic visit to "Kottayam", Kerala, India Pope John Paul II raised Venerable Kuriakose Elias Chavarato the honours of the altar declaring him 'Blessed'.
Some of his contributions to the society of Kerala, India had far reaching effects. It was he, in his capacity as the Vicar General, made it mandatory for every parish in Kerala to have a catholic school, where students from all different religions could get admission. It was he who popularized the piety of 40-hour adoration of the Blessed Sacramentin the Syro-Malabar rite community. The members of CMI religious order, serving the catholic church all over the world try to continue the noble works begun by their holy founder, Blessed Kuriakose Elias Chavara, who the hope and pray, if God willing, will soon be canonized.
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