Spirituality of Bl. Kuriakose Elias Chavara
Milestones
1805, February 10 - Chavara was born at
1805, February 18 - Baptized Chennankary Church
1829, Nov 29 - Ordained priest by Arch Maurelius Stabilini
1831, May 11 -of the first Indigenous Congregation for Men (CMI).
1855, December 8 - profession of the 11 , including Bl. Chavara
1861, June 8 - as the Vicar General the Syro-Malabar Church
1866, Feb 13 - Foundation the first Indigenous Congregation Women (C.M.C.)
1871, January 3 - death of Bl. Chavara Koonammavu
Spirituality
Blessed
Chavara had a spirituality founded on the mystery of the magnanimous,
caring, love of God, learning and directing him in the minutest details
of his life. This leading directive love of God, the Eastern Fathers
used to call, the mystery of the dispensation of God's love. It was on
this reality divine and human that the spirituality of Blessed Chavara
was anchored. He was an heir of the Eastern spiritual traditions,
transmitted to him down through the centuries through the liturgical
traditions and spiritual practices of the Malabar Church.
We can identify four specific dimensions in this spirituality of Blessed Chavara.
1. Remembrance and Burning in love (Smarikalum Jvalikalum)
He remembers the numerous
blessings given by God and as a grateful response to it he burns in the love of God
2. Remembering and Repenting (Smarikalum
Thapikalum)
He remembers his sins and
shortcomings and repents that he wounded the loving heart of God
3.Remembrance and Ever burning in love
(Smarikalum Ujjvalikalum)
He remembers that though
he was unfaithful God granted him several special gifts instead of
curses and as a response to it he ever burns in love of God.
4. Daring venture and Leaping surrender
(Thuniyalum Erangalum)
As a response to the
numerous blessings and special gifts received from God he ventures into
the practice of heroic virtues and surrenders himself for the service of
the people of God and the people around him.
Chavarul
Sayings
of Bl. Chavara to the Children
Bl.
Kuriakose Elias Chavara the pioneer of
education, tried to do away
with the caste distinction in Kerala and make
it possible for all the children irrespective
of caste creed to sit together and study. He
first used the Pallikkoodam in Malayalam
Language.
1.
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Children, you are God's investment in the hands of your parents.
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2.
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The Children who have love of God and fear of God will love and respect their parents.
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3.
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Trust your mother, God will hear the mother's request like the baby's request.
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4.
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Wisdom and purity should be spiritual food like food for natural growth.
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5.
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Go to school regularly and recall to mind what is taught during the week.
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6.
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Laziness fosters evil habits.
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7.
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Let your friends be those who love God.
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8.
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Good friends will make you good.
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9.
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Keeping of bad books is like hiding fire in straw.
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10.
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Regular reading of good books and meditating on it, will illumine the mind.
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11.
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Attain punctuality by means of a regular time-table.
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12.
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You angels will be turned to devils, if you fall into evil situation.
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13.
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You aught to reach home before evening and take part in the evening prayers.
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14.
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Your attire and sanctity ought to be according to your age.
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15.
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Immoderate attire will only lead you to evil.
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16.
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Let your ability be in piety regulating your life and controlling your senses.
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17.
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You ought to love truth and justice.
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18.
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What you earn by deceit and theft will melt like snow.
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19.
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Your profession must be according to your knowledge and age.
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20.
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Let there be no day in your life in which you did no good to others.
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21.
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Let not the insult and quarrels of others be a cause of hatred and enmity.
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22.
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Do not insult or trouble the poor.
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23.
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God decides your vocation and you choose it.
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24.
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When you choose your partner in life, choose one who has a good character and good manners.
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25.
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Even if you are grown in age and maturity you have to accept your parents and submit to them.
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26.
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Do not hate your own brethren.
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27.
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It is the duty of children to look after their parents.
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28.
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Do not be the cause of your parents shedding tears on account of you.
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29.
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The humble man is the greatest among men.
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30.
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Since you belong to God, you should be given back to God.
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Reference: http://blessedchavara.org/aboutus.asp (copied)
