A PILLAR and GUIDING LIGHT Kuriakose Elias Chavara, a Theologian of the Church
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Theological Studies on Saint Chavara 4 A PILLAR AND GUIDING LIGHT Kuriakose Elias Chavara, a Theologian of the Church Dharmaram Publications No. 455 Theological Studies on Saint Chavara 4 A PILLAR AND GUIDING LIGHT Kuriakose Elias Chavara, a Theologian of the Church Sophy Rose CMC 2020 Chavara Central Secretariat Kochi 680 030 Kerala, India & Dharmaram Publications Bangalore 560029 India A Pillar and Guiding Light: Kuriakose Elias Chavara, a Theologian of the Church Sophy Rose CMC Email: [email protected] © 2020: Saint Chavara’s 150th Death Anniversary Edition Chavara Central Secretariat, Kochi Cover: David, Smrti, Thrissur; Image: Piloni Elio (Italy) Layout: Chavara Central Secretariat, Kochi Printing: Viani Printers, Kochi ISBN: 978-81-944061-2-9 Price: Rs. 160; US$ 15 Chavara Central Secretariat CMI Prior General’s House Chavara Hills, Kakkanad Post Box 3105, Kochi 682 030 Kerala, India Tel: +91 484 2881802/3 Email: [email protected] Web: http://www.chavaralibrary.in/ & Dharmaram Publications Dharmaram College, Bangalore 560029, India Tel: +91-8041116137; 6111 Email: [email protected]; [email protected] Web: www.dharmarampublications.com CONTENTS Abbreviations x Milestones in the Life of Saint Chavara x Theological Studies on Saint Chavara xi Foreword: “Chavara, a Theologian” xiii Mar Joseph Kallarangatt, Bishop of Palai Presentation: “Chavara, a Trailblazing Theologian in xvii the Syro-Malabar Church” Saju Chackalackal CMI Preface xliii Introduction 1 Chapter 1 5 Kuriakose Elias Chavara: A Prophetic Theologian Ahead of Time 1. Theology and Theologian: An Elementary 5 Analysis 1.1. Theology: An Explanation 5 1.2. General Understanding of a Theologian 7 1.3. Church: The Milieu of Theologizing 8 2. Theologian: Various Types or Models 9 2.1. Theology at the Desk 9 2.2. Theology in the Streets 10 2.3. Theology on the Knees 10 3. Backdrop of Saint Chavara: An Overview 11 3.1. Ecclesial Background 13 3.2. Social Situation of Kerala 14 3.3. God-Man Vision 15 v vi A Pillar and Guiding Light Chapter 2 17 Rise of a Theologian: An Exploration of Saint Chavara’s Life and Writings 1. A Profile of Saint Chavara 18 2. Saint Kuriakose Chavara: A Writer 21 3. Writings of Saint Kuriakose Chavara 21 3.1. Historical Writings 22 3.1.1. Chronicles 23 3.1.2. Letters 27 3.2. Spiritual and Literary Writings 30 3.2.1. Aatmanutapam (Compunction of the Soul) 30 3.2.2. Martyrdom of Anastasia 32 3.2.3. Maranaveettil Padunnathinulla Pana (Dirge or 33 Song of Mourning) 3.2.4. Dhyanasalapangal (Colloquies with the 34 Heavenly Father) 3.2.5. Meditation on Divine Vocation (Deiva 35 Viliyinmel Dhyanam) 3.3. Eclogues 36 3.4. Liturgical Writings 36 Chapter 3 39 Saint Chavara, a Theologian: A Historico-Theological Appraisal 1. Saint Chavara, an Academic Theologian 39 1.1. Process of the Emergence of a Malpan 40 1.1.1. A Man of Learning 40 1.1.2. Malpan of the Syro-Malabar Church 42 1.1.3. A Man Interested to Teach 43 1.1.4. A Theologian with a Prognostic Vision 45 1.2. Literature Related to Liturgy 46 1.2.1. Formulation and Implementation of Tukasa 46 1.2.2. Rituals for Forty Hour Adoration 48 Contents vii 1.2.3. Exhortation Regarding the Participation in 49 Sacraments 1.2.4. Compiling the Divine Office for Priests 50 1.2.5. Divine Office for Sisters 52 1.2.6. Holy Saturday Service 54 1.2.7. Liturgical Calendar 56 1.2.8. Devotional Practices for Spiritual Revival 57 2. Saint Chavara, a Pastoral Theologian 61 2.1. Preaching of the Word of God: Basic Duty of a 61 Pastor 2.2. Saint Chavara: An Eminent Preacher of the 62 Word of God 2.3. Establishment of Catechumenates 66 2.4. A Good Pastor Who Trained People for 68 Various States of Life 2.4.1. Pastoral Mind behind Priestly Training 68 2.4.2. Pastoral Vision behind the Foundation of 71 Religious Congregations 2.4.3. A Pastor at the Service of Families 76 2.5. A Pastor in Action: Works of Mercy for the 79 Salvation of Souls 2.5.1. House of Charity 79 2.5.2. Confraternity for a Happy Death 80 3. Saint Chavara, a Contemplative Theologian 81 3.1. Saint Chavara a Man of Contemplation 82 3.2. Saint Chavara: A Contemplative in the Model 83 of Saint Teresa 3.3. Spousal Relationship: Mode of Contemplative 84 Prayer 3.4. Means to attain Contemplation 86 3.5. Conformity with the Will of God: The Apex of 87 Contemplation viii A Pillar and Guiding Light Chapter 4 91 An Appraisal of Saint Chavara’s Theology in the Light of the Apostolic Fathers 1. Pastoral Character 91 2. Eschatological Character 94 3. Doctrine of Baptism 97 4. Efficacy of Good Works for Salvation 99 5. Christology 101 5.1. Christ: Divine and Human 101 5.2. Titles of Christ and Christological Themes 104 5.2.1. Christ as Appan, the Father 108 5.2.2. Christ as the Mother 110 6. Defender of Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction 111 Chapter 5 119 Ecclesiology of Saint Chavara in the Light of Vatican Council II 1. Saint Chavara: One Who Ascertained 120 Apostolic Foundation 1.1. Apostolicity: One of the ‘Notes’ of the True 121 Church 1.2. Syro-Malabar Church: An Apostolic Church 121 1.3. Threats and Challenges Faced by the 124 Apostolic Church 1.4. Proponent of the Apostolicity of Syro-Malabar 126 Church 1.5. Apostolic Patrimony: Part of Undivided 130 Heritage of the Universal Church 2. Promoter of the Restoration of Autonomy 132 2.1. Head from the Community: An Imperative for 133 an Apostolic Church 2.2. The Necessity to Be Led by One’s Own Bishop 135 2.3. Bishop: The Visible Head of the Body of Christ 137 Contents ix 2.4. Bishop: Bearer and Sharer of Apostolic 139 Patrimony 3. Promoter of Communion of Churches 141 3.1. Equality of Churches 144 3.2. Promoter of Brotherhood and Sisterhood of 146 Churches and Ecumenism Conclusion 149 Bibliography 153 Indices 157 ABBREVIATIONS AG Ad Gentes (Decree on Mission) CCEO Codex Canonum Ecclesiarum Orientalium CD Christus Dominus (Decree on Bishops) CIC Codex Iuris Canonici CKC Chronicle of Koonanmmavu Convent CMC Congregation of the Mother of Carmel CMI Carmelites of Mary Immaculate CTC Congregation of Teresian Carmelites CWC Complete Works of Chavara DV Dei Verbum (Constitution on Divine Revelation) LG Lumen Gentium (Constitution on the Church) OE Orientalium Ecclesiarum (Decree on Catholic Eastern Churches) PO Presbyterorum Ordinis (Decree on Priests) SC Sacrosanctum Concilium (Constitution on Sacred Liturgy) UR Unitatis Redintegratio (Decree on Ecumenism) MILESTONES IN THE LIFE OF SAINT CHAVARA 10 February 1805 Birth at Kainakary 29 November 1829 Ordination at Arthunkal 11 May 1831 Foundation of CMI at Mannanam 16 November 1844 Appointed as Malpan 08 December 1855 Canonical Profession of Vows 08 June 1861 Appointed the Vicar General of Syrians 13 February 1866 Foundation of Women TOCD (CMC-CTC) 03 January 1871 Death at Koonammavu 24 May 1889 Mortal remains transferred to Mannanam 08 February 1986 Beatification by Pope John Paul II 23 November 2014 Canonization in Rome by Pope Francis x THEOLOGICAL STUDIES ON SAINT CHAVARA Saint Kuriakose Elias Chavara (1805-1871) – a Carmelite religious priest and a professor of theology (Malpan) in the Syro-Malabar Church, who pioneered consecrated life in the Indian Church by founding the Carmelites of Mary Immaculate (CMI; in collaboration with Thomas Palackal and Thomas Porukara, in 1831), the first indigenous religious congregation for men and the Congregation of the Mother of Carmel (CMC; in collaboration with Leopold Beccaro OCD, in 1866) – is widely recognized for his pioneering efforts to reform the Church in Kerala and the society of the nineteenth century. His credible Christian witness along with the leadership he offered to the Church of Saint Thomas Christians, at a time when it was passing through multiple jurisdictional crises, scripted a spiritual and disciplined growth in the Kerala Church. Canonized on 23 November 2014, Saint Chavara’s personal sanctity and Christian wisdom are identified to be unique. While the secular society admires his contributions in pioneering a set of revolutionary changes in uplifting people on the margins and those who were socially ostracised through educational and social initiatives, the fundamental core of all his achievements is solidly established in his filial discipleship of Jesus Christ, whom he addressed ‘ente nalla appa’ (my beloved father). Saint Chavara had a firm foundation in Christian faith, which is clearly visible throughout his life and it is testified by those who knew him. He articulated his views and perspectives primarily based on his personal encounter with Jesus and also based on is readings and theological reflections. They are available to us through his extant writings, which are published in four volumes in the Complete Works of Kuriakose xii A Pillar and Guiding Light Elias Chavara. Some of these works, recognized as pioneering efforts in Indian literary genre, offer us a mine of rich and sound theological insights. Although his access to scientific Christian literature was minimal (if not completely absent), his writings draw from the biblical as well as other Christian traditions, which he had faithfully and creatively interpreted for the enhancement of the faith life of the Christian community that he had catered to throughout his life. Theological Studies on Saint Chavara – a joint effort of the Carmelites of Mary Immaculate (CMI) and Congregation of the Mother of Carmel (CMC) – attempts to promote and publish fruits of scientific investigation into the unique and varied theological insights of Saint Chavara in the form of monographs. These theological investigations will be instru- mental in appreciating and popularising the sound and solid theological contributions he made to enhance Catholic faith in the nineteenth century, which, in turn, indicate that he deserves titles like ‘Father of the Syro-Malabar Church’ and ‘Doctor of the Church’.