SAINT KURIAKOSE ELIAS CHAVARA: A Christian Humanist in Dialogue with Society
Keywords:
Christian Humanism, Education, Kuriakose Elias Chavara, Literature and Humanism, Printing, Social Uplift, Women EmpowermentAbstract
The concepts of humanism, secular and particularly Christian humanism, were very active in the debates of academic circles and related areas for a long time. The application and understanding of Christian humanism in Indian context was felt necessary in the context of the life and contributions of many Christian humanists. St Kuriakose Elias Chavara was a socio-religious reformer of nineteenth century Kerala. His life and that of others were made closer to God and it resulted in getting more meaningful life patterns in the society. His efforts at providing a platform for God experience, education for all, women empowerment, uplift of dalits and the poor and extending concern for the sick and the dying were the fruits of his dialogue with the society. It has got rare parallels in the history of nineteenth century Kerala.
References
Corliss Lamont, The Philosophy of Humanism, New York: Frederick Ungar Publishing Co., 1972, 11.
R. S. Anderson, On Being Human, Essays on Theological Anthropology, Grant Rapids: Word Publishing, 1982, 168.
A. Flannery, ed., “Gaudium et Spes,” in Vatican II: The Conciliar and Post Conciliar Docuemnts, Bombay: St. Paul's Publication, 1992, 12, 24.
Baby Rajesh Kavalackal, Hominisation and the Kingdom of God: A Study on the Transformational Perspective of Edward Schillebeeckx, Together with the Reflections of Indian Social Theologian Madathilparampil M. Thomas on the Destiny of Man, and Their Relevance for Theological Anthropology, Roma: Pontificia Universita Gregoriana, 2015 (unpublished doctoral thesis), 54.
Catechism of the Catholic Church, No 374 <https://www.catholicculture.org/culture/library/catechism/index.cfm?recnum=1843> (9 March 2017).
T. D. Chardin, The Phenomenon of Man, New York: Harper and Row, 1937, 267.
Sebastian Athappilly, “Church and Social Welfare according to Karl Rahner,” Jeevadhara, 107 (Sept. 1988): 373-381.
Paul Zacharia, “A Different Saint," in Light on the Burnt Horizon: Chavara, The Reformer Saint, ed., John Mannarathara, New Delhi: Viva Books Private Limited, 2017, 68.
Kuriakose Eliah Vadaketh, Aggiornamento of the CMI Congregation in the Light of the Spirit of St Chavara, Bengaluru: Dharmaram Publications, 2017, 114.
Kuriakose Elias Chavara, Athmanuthapam, Complete Works of Chavara, Vol. II, Mannanam: St. Joseph’s Press, 1986, 14.
Kuriakose Elias Chavara, The Chronicles, Complete Works of Bl.Chavara Vol. I, The Chronicles, Mannanam: Committee for the Cause of Bl. Chavara, 1990, 2-21.
Thoughtco., "What is Religious Humanism?" Philosophic Humanism; Modern Humanist Philosophy and Religion, <https://www.thoughtco.com/philosophic-humanism-248113>, (8 March, 2017).
Lucas Vithuvattical, “Efforts of Chavara to Conserve the Identity of the Syro-Malabar Church,” in Herald of the East, Vol. 2, Issue-2, (December 2007): 51-65.
APJ Abdul Kalam, “Selfless Service Leads to a Great Nation,” in Light on the Burnt Horizon, 419.
Samuel Nellimukal, Keralathile Samuhyaparivarthanam (Trans- formation of Kerala Society), Kottayam: KS Books, 2003, 156.
Cleopatra, “Blessed Chavara and the Uplift of Women, Journal of St Thomas Christians, Vol. 16, No. 1, (Jan-March 2005), 127.
Navya Maria, Empowered Womanhood: Blessed Kuriakose Elias Chavara’s Socio-Pastoral Vision for Women and the Legacy of the Congregation of the Mother of Carmel, Bangalore: Dharmaram Publications, 2014, 98.
Leopold Mariya Beccaro, "Life of a Blessed Soul," in Lead Kindly Light: A Voyage into the Saintly Life and Vision of Kuriakose Elias Chavara, K. C. Chacko, Cochin: Beth Rauma, 2014, 153.
Joseph Varghese Kureethara, “Education as a Mission that is Inclusive”, EducA, International Catholic Journal of Education, 2, 2016, <http://educa.fmleao.pt/no2-2016/education-as-a-mission-that-is-inclusive-2/> (3 April 2017), 183.
Thomas Mampra, "Kuriakose Elias Chavara: A Saint of Our Times," Herald of the East, 10, 1 (January-June 2014), 17-43.
M. Gopinath, “The Saintly Entrepreneur” in The Life and Legacy of Saint Kuriakose Elias Chavara, ed. John Mannarathara, New Delhi: Viva Books Private Limited, 2015, 198-208.
Valerian, Malakara Sabhamathavinte Oru Veerasanthanam or Divyasree Chavara Kuriakose Eliasacha (A Great Son of Malankara Church or Chavara Kuriakose Eliasachan), Mannanam: St Joseph’s Printing Press, 1939, 97.
Mellanie Marquez Shibu and Maleeha Raghaviah, “A Sign from Above, Father Kuriakose Elias Chavara,” in Light on the Burnt Horizon, 17-45.
Sebastian Kalappura, “Spiritual Composition of Chavara: Poetry Powered with Hope,” Herald of the East, 12, 1 (January-June 2016), 45-63.
John Paul, "The Testament of a Loyal Servant," in The Life and Legacy of Saint Kuriakose Elias Chavara, 132-133.
Ommen Chandy, "Chavara: A Golden Feather in India’s Cap,” in Light on the Burnt Horizon, 62-65.
Kuriakose Elias Chavara, Chavarayachante Kathukal (Chavara Letters), Kochi: Chavara Central Secretariat, 2011, 197-198.
Kuriakose Elias Chavara, The Letters, Complete Works of Bl. Chavara, Vol. IV 96;
Valerian, Malakara Sabhamathavinte Oru Veerasanthanam or Divyasree Chavara Kuriakose Eliasacha (A Great Son of Malankara Church or Chavara Kuriakose Eliasachan), Mannanam: St Joseph’s Printing Press, 1939; 79-85;
Joseph Xavier, Mercy in Practice: Theological Reflections on the Life of St Kuriakose Elias Chavara, Bengaluru: Dharmaram Publications, 2016, 67.
Thomas Jacob, “Charitram Kudichu Maranna Uchakanji” (The Mid-day Meal Forgotten by History), in Malayala Manoram Azhchapathippu (Weekly), (22 March 2014), 11.