Herald of the East

Saint Kuriakose Elias Chavara, Holiness of Life

2026-03-28T03:53:43+00:00

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Grace Thomas CMC, Kenotic Spirituality of Saint Kuriakose Elias Chavara, Chavara Central Secretariat & Dharmaram Publications, 2024.

2026-03-28T04:44:30+00:00

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Isaac Arickappallil, Pneumatology of Mar Narsai, Bengaluru: Dharmaram Publications, 2025.

2026-03-28T04:46:56+00:00

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Chavara’s Legacy in the Light of Dilexi Te

2026-03-28T04:15:12+00:00

The present article explores the deep connection between Pope Leo XIV’s Apostolic Exhortation Dilexi Te and the life and mission of Kuriakose Elias Chavara. Grounded in the Gospel mandate of love, both affirm that true Christian discipleship is realized through compassion and solidarity with the poor. Set within the socio-religious context of 19th-century Kerala, the study highlights Chavara’s pioneering efforts in education, social justice, women’s empowerment, and service to the marginalized. Through initiatives such as free schools, charitable associations, and the founding of the religious congregations, he transformed faith into action. His life stands as a prophetic witness to Dilexi Te’s call to embody Christ’s love and mercy through concrete acts of compassion and justice.

Saint Chavara as New Moses: The Longing to See God in Atmanutapam and the Fulfilment of the Desire of Moses

2026-03-28T04:18:53+00:00

This article examines the theme of the longing to behold God, drawing from Moses’ plea in Exodus 33 and its fulfilment in the Transfiguration. It draws parallels with Chavara’s poem Atmanutapam, highlighting how this longing is satisfied through the Incarnation, compunction, and contemplative prayer. Chavara is presented as a new Moses, leading the Indian Church and consequentially the universal Church toward a deeper encounter with Christ’s mercy.

Discernment in the Life and Writings of Kuriakose Elias Chavara

2026-03-28T04:23:06+00:00

This study explores the meaning and manifestation of spiritual discernment in the life and writings of Kuriakose Elias Chavara, a pioneering saint of the Syro-Malabar Church. Rooted in the Christian tradition and enriched by insights from Scripture and the mystics, discernment is presented as both a divine gift and a personal responsibility—an inner movement that leads to knowing and doing God’s will. In Chavara, this grace found vivid expression through prayer, filial intimacy with God, and a deep awareness of Christ’s salvific mysteries. His discerning heart, shaped by purity of intention and openness to the Holy Spirit, guided his spiritual, pastoral, and social initiatives, including the founding of religious congregations and institutions for education and charity. The study highlights how Chavara’s capacity for personal and communal discernment enabled him to respond wisely to ecclesial crises, such as the Roccos Schism, and to foster renewal within the Church. In an age marked by confusion and superficiality, his life stands as a luminous model of Christian maturity—demonstrating that true discernment flows from a heart attuned to God’s will and animated by love, humility, and fidelity to the Spirit.

Social Transformation Through Spiritual Empowerment: The Social Vision and Mission of Saint Chavara (Part I)

2026-03-28T04:29:27+00:00

The present article is an investigation of the unique nature of Chavara’s social apostate and the vision behind his several initiatives in this area. With the available evidence, it is an effort to examine its strength and weakness from theological and sociological point of view. The muti-faceted personality of Chavara is examined and see how his social vision and mission were shaped by his personality, rather the article analyses how the spiritual power became an effective source and instrument to motivate Chavara and his colleagues to involve themselves in the society of the nineteenth century and bring about transformation in the various fields.

Family: School of Life, Sanctity and Communion

2026-03-28T04:34:03+00:00

This article explores the concept family as the basic unit in the Church and the society. The future of humanity passes by the way of the family. The ambience of family is essential for the psychological health of the young ones. Modern families face many challenges that demand proper orientation and pastoral care. The article is originally the Chavara lecture given in DVK, Bengaluru in 2018. It contains three parts. The first part focuses on the changes occurred in the Indian families due to globalization and migration. The second part deals with the insights from the Chavarul and other periodical teachings on family by the magisterium of the Catholic Church. The third part analyses the impact of the changing role of women from ‘home makers’ to ‘bread winners’ and women empowerment. The indissolubility of marriage shall be fostered and the family has to grow into a school of life, sanctity and communion.

Biblical Undercurrents in Chavara’s Writings - I

2026-03-28T04:38:33+00:00

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