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Ernakulam, Nov 8 (IANS) In a historic and deeply spiritual moment for Kerala’s Catholic community, Elisava of the Blessed Virgin Mary – fondly remembered as Mother Elisava Vakayil – was formally beatified at a ceremony held at the National Shrine Basilica of Our Lady of Ransom in Vallarpadam on Saturday.
It is a major step towards sainthood for the nun who pioneered women’s religious life in Kerala more than 150 years ago.
The ceremony was attended by thousands of devotees, clergy and representatives of various religious denominations and also representatives of the Pope.
Born Elisava Vakayil (religious name Elisava of the Blessed Virgin Mary) on October 15, 1831, at Ochanthuruth, Ernakulam, she founded the first indigenous Carmelite convent for women in 1866, which eventually gave rise to two major congregations – the Congregation of Mother of Carmel (CMC) under the Syro-Malabar rite, and the Congregation of the Teresian Carmelites. (CTC) under the Latin Rite.
Widowed at the age of 20, she dedicated her life to prayer and service and lived a simple life of compassion and spiritual depth.
Guided by the Italian missionary Leopold Baccaro, he and his companions – his daughter Anna and sister Thresia – started their religious community in a simple bamboo-mat hut at Koonammavu.
Mother Eliseva’s pioneering work marked a turning point for women’s religious life in India, opening new avenues for education and social service within the Church.
His inclusive approach combined the Latin and Syrian rites at a time when such collaboration was rare.
She died on July 18, 1913, and was buried at St. Joseph’s Convent in Varapuzha, where her grave has since become a place of pilgrimage.
The process of declaring him a saint began in 2008.
Pope Francis recognized his heroic qualities and declared him Venerable in 2023.
The Pope later approved a miracle attributed to her intercession, paving the way for her beatification.
Mother Eliseva’s life of deep faith and silent service continues to inspire generations of women.
His personal motto, “God alone is sufficient”, remains central to the legacy he created more than a century ago.
–IANS
SG/KHz