Eliswa Vakayil was a religious sister and the founder of the first indigenous Carmelite congregation for women in India.[1] She established the first convent school, boarding house, and orphanage for girls in Kerala.[2] Her beatification is scheduled to take place on November 8, 2025, at the Our Lady of Ransom Basilica in Vallarpadam.[3]
Eliswa Vakayil was born on 15 October 1831, in the village of Ochanthuruth, part of the Cruz Milagres parish in Ernakulam, Kerala.[citation needed] She was the eldest of eight children born to Thomman and Thanda, a devout couple from the noble Vyppissery family.[citation needed]
At the age of 16, in 1847, Eliswa entered into an arranged marriage with Vareethu Vakayil. The couple had a daughter, Anna, who was born on 21 April 1850. Tragically, her husband passed away just a year and a half later. Despite being encouraged to remarry, Eliswa chose a life of silent prayer and dedicated service, embracing her new role as a contemplative widow and mother.[4]
Founder of the Discalced Carmelite Congregation
The formal establishment of the congregation proceeded with a clear timeline. On 12 February 1866, Archbishop Bernardine Baccinelli, the then Vicar Apostolic of Verapoly, officially recognized the congregation by issuing the Documentum Erectionis. This decree formally founded the Third Order of the Discalced Carmelite Congregation (TOCD).[5]
As the community grew, a more permanent convent was built and blessed on 27 March 1867. The sisters formally made their religious profession on 16 July 1868. Mother Eliswa's inclusive vision later led her to admit sisters of the Syro-Malabar Rite into the congregation.[citation needed]
Bifurcation and enduring legacy
A significant challenge arose in 1890, following the division of the Archdiocese of Verapoly and the separation of Latin and Syro-Malabar rites by a decree from Pope Leo XIII and the Sacred Congregation of Propaganda Fide. This reorganization led to the bifurcation of the original Third Order of the Discalced Carmelites (TOCD) congregation into two independent religious communities based on their respective rites: the Congregation of Teresian Carmelites (CTC) for Latin Rite members and the Congregation of the Mother of Carmel (CMC) for Syro-Malabar Rite members.[6][7][8]
Under this new decree, the Latin Rite members, including the foundress Mother Eliswa, were required to vacate St. Teresa's Convent at Koonammavu, which had been built with funds contributed by their families. On 17 September 1890, they left the convent. They were initially sheltered for a few weeks at St. Teresa's Convent in Ernakulam, founded by Servant of God Teresa of St. Rose of Lima. Following this, the Archbishop of Verapoly brought them back to Varappuzha, where they continued their mission.[9]
Today, Mother Eliswa's foundational work endures in these two independent congregations, which continue to uphold her spiritual and social legacy. She was a trailblazer in providing education for girls in Kerala. Her convent school curriculum was comprehensive, encompassing not only traditional academic subjects but also practical life skills. She lived a life of extraordinary virtue and gratitude, maintaining a spirit of peace and forgiveness even in the face of immense pain and injustice. Her personal motto, "God alone suffices," mirrored that of St. Teresa of Ávila, and her life was a testament to this profound faith.[10]
Veneration and beatification
Mother Eliswa died on 18 July 1913, at the age of 81. Her mortal remains were initially interred in front of the Basilica of Our Lady of Mount Carmel and Saint Joseph in Verapoly. They were later transferred to a tomb chapel, the Smruthi Mandhiram, at St. Joseph's Convent in Varappuzha. The tomb has since become a site of pilgrimage for the faithful, who seek her intercession and report receiving favors through her prayers.[11][12][13]
Tomb of Mother Eliswa Vakayil
She was declared a Servant of God by Archbishop Daniel Acharuparambil.[14] The diocesan inquiry concluded on 7 April 2017. On 8 November 2023, Pope Francis officially declared her to be Venerable.[15][16]
On 14 April 2025, Pope Francis recognized a miracle attributed to her intercession, paving the way for her beatification.[17] Eliswa Vakayil will be declared "Blessed" during a solemn Eucharistic Celebration at the National Shrine Basilica of Our Lady of Ransom in Vallarpadam, India, on 8 November 2025.[3]
Eliswa's smruthimandhiram (tomb chapel)
In popular culture
The 2025 short film Oru Kappipodi Katha portrays a fictionalized version of Vakayil, played by actress Sneha Reji.[18][failed verification]
References
↑ Alathara, Stephen. "Mother Eliswa has been made Venerable", Conference of Catholic Bishops of India
↑ Surendranath, Nidhi (2013-07-19). "A saint who pioneered girls' education remembered". The Hindu. ISSN0971-751X.
1 2 "Venerable Mother Eliswa to be Declared 'Blessed' in Vallarpadam on 8 November". Catholic Connect, 6 September 2025.
↑ Chinnappan, Roobini. "The legacy of mother Eliswa, a woman who worked for the emancipation and education of women in India", Agenzia Fides, 28 December 2023
This page is based on this Wikipedia article Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply. Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.
