Herald of the East

Saint Kuriakose Elias Chavara, the Catechist of the 19th Century

Jacob Marangattu — 2023-06-30

The world of catechesis has undergone much change from the time of the Catechism of the Council of Trent, which formulated the doctrinal approach to Catechesis. Subsequently, different catechetical approaches were proposed and practiced each in its own way contributing to something new and radical to the catechetical praxis. At the time of Saint Kuriakose Elias Chavara, the world catechetical movement had not taken birth. To our astonishment, we see Chavara adopting catechetical methods which will be endorsed much later by the world catechetical movement. It shows his prophetic vision and catechetical wisdom. The present article attempts to highlight how Chavara proposed a catechetical pedagogy that comprises all the essential elements of Catechetics.

Saint Kuriakose Elias Chāvara, an Exemplary Liturgical Catechist

Maryann Madhavathu — 2023-06-30

As one of the primary tasks of the Church, catechesis has in its heart the paschal mystery. Catechizing is to lead a person to go deep into this mystery with knowledge about its different dimensions. Liturgical catechesis is mystagogy in its strict sense. This study unfolds Chāvara’s efforts to make the faithful involve in the living mystery of Christ. Liturgical catechesis strives to lead communities and individuals of the Church to maturity of faith through full and active participation in the liturgy. Catechists not only teach but also share their faith and guide their students to learn how to apply and live their faith. In that logic, Kuriakose Elias Chāvara was a great catechist who taught the Kerala Church about the essence of faith i.e., the paschal mystery of Christ through his activities as well as through his life example. Chāvara’s life in the paschal rhythm of dying and rising, the way he spread the divine wisdom he gained through his involvement in the mystery of Christ, how he prepared the faithful of Kerala Church for mystagogical catechesis and how he became an exemplary catechist for the Church of all times are discussed in this paper.

Saint Kuriakose Elias Chavara, the Catechetist

Anto Amarnad — 2023-06-30

Catechetics is a science of instructing the faith and nurturing the discipleship of Jesus Christ. Catechetist is an expert in the science of catechetics, and shares the treasures of faith and involves in the ministry of faith formation in a systematic way. Saint Kuriakose Elias Chavara’s, inspiring personality, diverse ministries, writings, and his virtues and attitudes revealed that he was an eminent catechetist. Chavara played a key role in imparting and nourishing the faith of the people to transform them. Chavara was a herald in introducing family prayer, forty-hour Adoration, annual retreat for the people of God, and several devotions and pious practices. His priority was the catechetical formation of the Christian faithful. His child like relationship with the Lord and filial love and devotion to the Church strengthened him to dedicate himself to God and His people, and to read the signs of the times and respond to them creatively and prophetically.

Family Catechesis in the Chavarul

Ann Mary Madavanakkad — 2023-06-30

Catechetics is an essential aspect of religious education, for it plays a crucial role in nurturing the faith of the believers. Rooted in the ancient traditions and adapted to modern times, catechetics encompasses those teachings, methods, and practices which transmit religious knowledge and foster spiritual growth. Family catechesis is a dynamic and transformative approach to religious education that places the family at the centre of faith formation. It recognizes the vital role of the parents and guardians as the primary educators of their children in matters of faith. In other words, the family is the cradle of the formation of children and the best catechesis is done in the family ambience. The Chavarul of St Kuriakose Elias Chavara, the code of conduct for families, which assists the families to lead a Theo-centric life following a love-centred ethics, can be considered one of the significant catechetical tools. The present article explores the various dimensions of the definition of family given in the Chavarul which embraces all the aspects required for a harmonious family life.

Kuriakose Elias Chavara of the Holy Family: A Pastor with the Sense of Mystery and the Experience of the Divine

Paulachan Kochappilly — 2023-06-30

This article is a humble attempt to trace the characteristics of Saint Kurikose Elias Chavara of the Holy Family with a particular reference to the Fathers of the Church, showcasing the sense of Mystery and the experience of the Divine manifest in his writings. Imbibing the spirit of Eastern theological outlook, Kuriakose Elias seems immersed in the Liturgical tradition of the Thomas Christians of India, which celebrates the Mystery of the Divine and highlights human dignity outstandingly. His Colloquies with Heavenly Father (Dhyanasallapangal) showcases Kuriakose’s mystical, poetic, pastoral insights and inclinations soaked in spiritual conversation. The sequence of the article is simple: Mystery, Ministry, and Mercy, all moving in unison to enlighten and empower human beings to see the glory, joy, and beauty of the Mystery of the Trinity through the efficacy of human agents.

Kuriakose Elias Chavara: A True Son of the Church, Part II

Jossy Maria — 2023-06-30

Saint Kuriakose Elias Chavara had been a true son of the mother Church, for his love and ministries revealed his genuine love to the Church that he had cherished in his heart. This paper, which is the second part of the article, discusses the role of St Chavara as a social reformer of Kerala and his various contributions for the transformation of the society, especially in the field of education. In the nineteenth century, Kerala society has undergone major transformations by various socio-religious reforms. With the initiatives of Chavara a new awareness had been created among the faithful that the church is a servant at the service of the humankind, irrespective of caste, creed, color, or nationality. His instructions had contributed much to the families to become well-knit units of the society.

Writings of Saint Kuriakose Elias Chavara

Editor — 2023-06-30

No Abstract

Mystery of the Church: Models and Images, (Samanvayam Contextual Theology Series –13)

Aneesh Jacob Kizhakkeveedu — 2023-06-30

No Abstract

Spirit and Creative Imagining: Festschrift in Honour of Prof. Dr Sebastian Elavathingal CMI, (Samanvayam Contextual Theology Series –13)

Alex Sebastian Kollamkalam — 2023-06-30

No Abstract

Saint Kuriakose Elias Chavara, a Catechetical Scion

Naiju Jose Kalambukattu — 2023-06-30

Editorial