Venerable Thomas Kurialacherry, Founder of Adoration Congregation
Thomas Kurialacherry, fondly called as Kunjuthomachen was born on January 14th, 1873 at Champakulam in Changanacherry, Kerala. As a child, he grew up with extraordinary goodness and piety. To be a priest was his lifelong desire, and he decided on priesthood while studying at Mannanam. While having his seminary education in Rome, being influenced and inspired by the Perpetual Adoration sisters, he received an inner call to make the Eucharistic Lord known, loved, and adored by all, always and everywhere. He was ordined on 27 May 1899 from Cardinal Cassantha, and he offered his first Holy Mass in the chapel of Jesu that belonged to the Jesuits. In 1911, Fr. Thomas Kurialacherry was elevated as the Vicar Apostolica of Changanacherry.
Bishop Kurialacherry was a zealous social reformer, enthusiastically involved in bringing transformation to the marginalized sections of society. As a priest and a bishop, he was a good shepherd who cared for the sheep under his care. As a social reformer, he stood for equality, peace, and justice. His prophetic voice resounded throughout Kerala against social evils. He brought the Dalits into the mainstream of the Catholic community. A man of ecumenical vision, he worked for the unity of various Christian communities. As a man of compassion, he was a joy to those in sorrow, a refuge for the afflicted, and a soothing presence for the suffering. As an educator, he was a lamp to those who were moving in darkness, a man of great intellectual vigor. Being a strong advocate of education, Mar Thomas started several educational institutions including St. Berchman's College at Changanacherry.
St. Ann’s Public School, Eloor is one of the Senior Secondary Schools owned and managed by SABS sisters of the Sacred Heart Province (Ernakulam) of Adoration Congregation. The school was started following the vision of the founder of the congregation, Venerable Mar Thomas Kurialacherry, who envisaged the renewal of society through the formation of the children.
Mother Mary Francesca de Chantal, Co-Foundress.
Mother Chantal (Philomina Vallayil) was born on 23 December 1880 to Mathew and Mariamma at Champakulam. From her young age, she was impelled by a desire to love the Lord with her whole heart and give herself in service of the poor and needy. Though she wanted to fulfill her desire to serve the humanity by becoming a Religious, she was forced by the family to give consent for her marriage. But, within a short time, she became a widow and returned to her own home in Champakulam.
God in His providence had prepared Philomina Vallayil to receive the very special gift of Eucharistic love. She spent her widowed days at home in silence, solitude, prayer and penance, cherishing and nurturing her desire to dedicate herself to God and His children. The unexpected encounter with Fr. Thomas Kurialacherry at Kalloorkatt Church opened a new way for her and it filled her with strength and inspiration.
Fr. Thomas Kurialacherry also was aware that a leader or collaborator was essential to lead and guide the young congregation he had in his dream. From his meeting with Philomina, he knew that she was the right person to fulfill what he had planned from the Perpetual Adorers chapel in Rome. The first six candidates along with Sr Chantal, of the congregation, received the veil on 8th December 1908, which resulted in the foundation of the Adoration Congregation.
Since the Founder Mar Thomas Kurialacherry had to attend to the needs of the diocese, the responsibility of starting new schools and colleges was entrusted to Sr. Chantal in the initial stages, which she did efficiently. All the first schools and convents of the SABS congregation were erected and started as a result of her hard work and dedication.