Daijiworld Media Network - Ernakulam

Ernakulam, Nov 8: In a landmark spiritual event for Kerala’s Catholic community, Mother Eliswa Vakayil, formally known as Eliswa of the Blessed Virgin Mary, was declared blessed on Saturday at the National Shrine Basilica of Our Lady of Ransom in Vallarpadam. The beatification marks a significant milestone on her path to sainthood.

Born on October 15, 1831, in Ochanthuruth, Ernakulam, Mother Eliswa founded Kerala’s first indigenous Carmelite convent for women in 1866. Her pioneering efforts led to the establishment of two major congregations: the Congregation of the Mother of Carmel (CMC) under the Syro-Malabar rite and the Congregation of the Teresian Carmelites (CTC) under the Latin rite.

Widowed at 20, she devoted her life to prayer, service, and

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