ASIA/INDIA - First Catholic religious congregation in India today 3,000 men strong celebrates 150 years of service to the Gospel and the poor

Tuesday, 13 December 2005

Kochi (Fides Service) - The history of the first all Indian congregation of religious started 150 years ago as an inspiration of three Catholic priests of the Syro-Malabar rite. This year the Carmelite Fathers of Immaculate Mary founded 1855 in the Vicariate of Verapoly are marking their 150th anniversary. Today there are a congregation with over 3,000 members active in pastoral service, education, helping the needy all over India and in other parts of the world. The Carmelite Fathers of Immaculate Mary became part of the Carmelite Family in 1855. They lead a life of intense prayer giving priority to priestly spirituality and are appreciated for retreats and formation courses for clergy all over Kerala.
Involved also in evangelisation through the media the Fathers publish Deepika magazine in Malayalam and many teach in schools. About 1,400 members announce the Gospel all over Kerala and the rest of India and the other 1,500 evangelise in other countries.
Congratulating the Fathers on the 150 years of service, Papal Nuncio to India, Archbishop Pedro Lopez Quintana, described the Carmelites of Mary Immaculate Mary as “a reflection of the Church in India”. “Your social service has been part of the life of the Church in Kerala, particularly in the fields of education, formation for the clergy and works of apostolate, he said, encouraging them to “continue to serve the Church in an inimitable manner”.
(Agenzia Fides 13/12/2005 righe 24 parole 234)


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