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News & Events

The Congregation of Carmelites of Mary Immaculate (CMI) is the first indigenous religious congregation in India.

News Update

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News Update (02 December 2018)

1. Period of Annunciation


Wish you all a grace filled Christmas Season.


2. CMI Renewal programme of Mar Thoma Province, Chanda was held from 07-10 November 2018 at Mar Thoma Provincial House, Bamni. In the inaugural session Provincial, Fr. Benny Mukalel welcomed the gathering and Rev. Fr. Prior General gave the orientation talk. Fr. Joy Pudussery, Fr. Tomy Chirapurath, Fr. Benny Mukalel, Fr. Varghese Vithayathil and Fr. Mathai Kulampalli presented contextualized papers on various renewal themes. Dr. T.K. Titus, retired English professor and College Principal gave an input on the perceptions on CMI from a layman’s Perspective. Thirty Four members participated in the programme and it was well organized by Provincial, Fr. Benny Mukalel and his team.
3. CMI Renewal programme in Marymatha Vice-Province, Hyderabad was held during 14-17 November 2018 at CMI Provincial house, Bellampally. The programme began with the welcome by Fr. Joshy Pazhukkathara, Provincial and the orientation talk by Rev. Fr. Prior General. Fr. Benny Mukalel, Fr. Varghese Vithayathil, Fr. Mathai Kulampally, Fr. Saju Chackalackal and Fr. Wilson Chakkiyath presented papers on the different themes of CMI Renewal 2018. Mr. Joy Joseph Paramattam, a teacher from the CMC school Mancherial, presented a paper on the perception of CMI from and outsider’s perspective. Sixty three members participated in the renewal programme. Congratulations to Fr. Joshy Pazhukkathara, provincial and his team for organizing the programme.
4. Rev. Fr. Prior General with the general auditor Fr. Johny Edapulavan did his Canonical Visitation at Samanvaya, Bhopal during 28-29 October 2018.
5. A meeting of the finance councillors and auditors was conducted at Poornodaya Bhopal on 30 and 31 October 2018. The meeting began at 9.30 am on the first day and ended at 4pm on the second day. Frs. Antony Elamthottam CMI, General Councillor for finance and agriculture and Johny Edapulavan, General auditor steered the programmes. There were four input sessions. They were Church’s position on finance management, by Fr. Wilson MSFS, Tax related issues in various forms which we are facing today by Mr. Bhagavan Agarwal, Systematic accounting and auditing in our house and institutions, by Fr. Jose Pariyadan CMI and accountability and transparency in religious life by Fr. Ray Warren OMI. Twenty six members were present for the meeting.
6. Utsah 2018, Scholstics’ Meet and Renewal Programme (North Indian Provinces) - The programme was held at Poornodaya , Patel Nagar, Bhopal on 3 and 4 November 2018, Saturday and Sunday. Nineteen scholastics who are doing their college studies were present. Rev. Fr. Vicar General animated the whole programme and Fr. Formation Coordinator conducted the programme. Rev. Fr. Peter Kochalumkal CMI, the rector of the Samanyaya Theological College, welcomed the gathering and Rev. Fr. Vicar General gave the orientation and the message. Fathers Benny Thettayil CMI (CMI Spirituality relevant for our times), Fr. Peter Kochalumkal CMI (CMI vocation to a loving community) and Rev. Fr. Ray Warren OMI (Prospects and challenges of young pastors for our changing society), Rev. Fr. Vicar General (Listening to the cry of the poor) and Rev. Fr. Paulson Muthupedia CMI, the Vicar Provincial of Bhopal Province (CMI Mission today: The Challenges and prospects of Evangelization) presented papers. There were also fruitful group discussions.
7. A two days summit of CMI Social Apostolate was held at Christ University Bangalore on November 19-20. About 75 CMI and Non - CMI delegates participated. Rev. Fr. Varghese Vithayathil CMI, the Vicar General, gave the welcome address. Rev. Fr. George Edayadiyil, Rector of Dharmaram College the Chancellor of Christ University gave the keynote address. The inaugural session was presided over by Professor Antony Gregory, the president of CEVA. Rev. Fr. Austin Kalapura, the Vice President of CEVA gave the vote of thanks. The input sessions were guided by Rev. Fr. George Mathew SDB on Skill Development, Professor Victor Paul on Project Cycle Management, Mr. Harsh Jaitly on NGO Working Environment, Mr Ranjit Kumar Singh on CSR Funding Opportunities for NGO, Mr. Vittala Rap on Financial Management of NGO and Mr. Mahendra Rajaram on Disaster Management. The Valedictory meeting was presided over by Rev. Fr. Thomas Chathamparampil, the Vice Chancellor. Sincere thanks to Rev. Fr. Chathamparampil, the CSA team led by Professor Victor Paul for their warm hospitality. Hearty Congratulations to Rev. Fathers Varghese Kokkadan and Shaji Elamthuruty, the Secretaries of CEVA, and their team for organizing the summit excellently well. Our sincere thanks and appreciation to all the participants.
8. Fresher’s Meet - first year aspirants meet was held at Chavara Hills on Wednesday 21 November 2018. 102 aspirants from 7 provinces attended with Fr. Linson Thengolaparambil CMI of Coimbatore, Fr. Siby Pulickal CMI of Calicut, Fr. Seljo Veliyannookkaran CMI of Thrissur, Fr. Jose Vadakkepurathan CMI of Kochi, Fr Arun Vallavassery CMI of Kottayam, and Fr John Pallithuruthel CMI of Trivandrum and four Regents. Rev. Fr. Prior General celebrated the Holy Eucharist with the Aspirants Rectors and preached the homily. Rev. Fr. Sebastian Thekkedathu, Rev.Fr. Antony Elamthottam, and Rev. Fr. Johny Edapulavan shared their experiences. The afternoon was enjoyable with their entertainment programme. Rev. Fr. Prior General gave away gifts to each student, Rector and Regent. The programme began by 8.00 am and finished by 4.00 pm.
9. The Regents meet and renewal programme was held at Chavara Hills during 27-29 November 2018. 37 Regents from 13 provinces participated in the meet and in the inaugural session Rev. Fr. Antony Elamthottam CMI welcomed the gathering and Rev. Fr. Sebastian Thekkedathu CMI gave a message. Rev. Fr. Jose Kuriyedath CMI, Fr. Joy Ureth, Fr. Varghese Kokkadan took different sessions on the themes for the Renewal and Fr. Paul Muriyath from Ecuador Mission shared the mission experiences and clarified the doubts. There were fruitful group discussions in the groups. Concluding session was blessed by the message by Rev. Fr. Antony Elamthottam CMI. After the breakfast Rev. Fr. Varghese Vithayathil CMI, the vicar General addressed the Regents and delivered a short message on the final day.
10. Rev. Fr. Varghese Vithayathil, Vicar General did the canonical visitation at Vinayalaya, Mission Novitiate, Bhanpuri on 29 and 30 October 2018. Rev. Fr. Vicar General and Frs. Sebastian Thekkedathu and Antony Elamthottam, General Councillors visited Darsana Philosophate, Wardha.
11. This year we have 55 deacons preparing for the priestly ordination and their retreat in preparation for the ordination will commence on 15 November 2018 at CSR Pariyaram
12. 73 Novices will be doing their first profession and vestition in our congregation this year on 8 December 2018. Let’s thank God for them and remember them in our prayers.
13. 50 Years of CMI Presence in Madhya Pradesh, Saint Paul Province, Bhopal
14. Golden Jubilee celebrations of CMI Presence in Madhya Pradesh, which began in Sagar mission, were conducted at Poornodaya, Bhopal, by the CMI Saint Paul Province, Bhopal. During 27-29 November 2018, a three-day National Seminar on Evangelization was organized with the focus on “Sharing the Message of Jesus Christ: Missiological Trajectories for India Today” in which around one hundred and fifty delegates participated. Fr. Justin Akkara CMI, Provincial of Saint Paul Province, welcomed the dignitaries and the delegates of the national seminar; Mar James Athikalam MST, Bishop of Sagar, delivered the Inaugural Address and His Excellency Chacko Thottumarickal SVD, offered the Keynote Address. Paper presentations during the national seminar focused more on the development of CMI mission in Madhya Pradesh as well as on the responsibility to take evangelization to newer heights. Accordingly, there were also sessions in which sharing of missionary experiences from a few representative missionaries from different fields was also held. These sharing offered an opportunity to look for positive alternatives in missionary outreach in contemporary times. During the Concluding Session on 29 November 2018, His Grace Leo Cornelio SVD, Archbishop of Bhopal, delivered the Concluding Address, which was followed by a message by Mar Vijay Anand Nedumpuram CMI. Fr. Paul Achandy CMI, Prior General, presided over the Concluding Session. Later, in the evening, conclusion of the Golden Jubilee celebrations was marked with the solemn celebration of Holy Eucharist presided over by His Grace Leo Cornelio SVD; Fr. Paul Achandy and Fr. Justin Akkara, along with many other priests, concelebrated. These concluding celebrations were held at Saint Paul School, Anand Nagar, Bhopal, in which representatives from various religious congregations, dioceses, and a number of lay persons participated.
15. International Conference on Chavarul and Amoris Laetitia at Dharmaram, Bangalore. In the context of 150th anniversary celebrations of Saint Kuriakose Elias Chavara’s Oru Nalla Appante Chavarul (Testament of a Loving Father), Chavara Central Secretariat, in collaboration with the Centre for Study and Research on Saint Chavara at Dharmaram Vidya Kshetram, Bangalore, had arranged for a serious and scientific study of the Chavarul in relation to Amoris Laetitia, Post-Synodal Exhortation of Pope Francis on Family, during 22-25 November 2018. One hundred and twenty participants joined the conference, which included members from both the CMI and CMC Congregations; fifteen delegates came from outside India, and most of them presented their studies on both the Chavarul and Amoris Laetitia. His Beatitude Moran Mor Baselios Cardinal Cleemis Catholicos was the Chief Guest of the Inaugural Session in which Fr. Paul Achandy CMI, Prior General, presided over; Mother Sibi CMC, Superior General of CMC Congregation delivered a message based on the Chavarul and its contemporary relevance. Fr. George Edayadiyil, Rector of Dharmaram College, Fr. Kurian Kachappilly, President of DVK, and Fr. Saju Chackalackal, Director of Chavara Central Secretariat also spoke during the Inaugural Session. Students of DVK joined the inaugural session and the keynote address given by Fr. James Keenan SJ from Boston College, USA. In all there were thirty-six scientific papers presented in the conference apart from six poster presentations. Students of Dharmaram College and Jnanodaya also exhibited forty posters based on forty paragraphs of the Chavarul. Fr. Paul Achandy CMI, Prior General, delivered the Concluding Address underlining the necessity of addressing the contingencies faced by the families in the contemporary times, especially taking inspiration from Saint Kuriakose Elias Chavara, who offered a positive approach towards the upbringing of children as well as cultivation of a disciplined and God-fearing life in the families. He also thanked the organizing team of the conference consisting of Fr. Saju Chackalackal (Director, Chavara Central Secretariat), Fr. Shaji Kochuthara (Dean, Faculty of Theology), and Fr. Benny Nalkara (Director, Centre for the Study and Research on Saint Chavara) for initiating a serious but concerned and concerted discussion on family based on the insights of the Chavarul and Amoris Laetitia.
16. CMI Mission Year is observed from 1 October 2018 to 31 October 2019, especially following the call of Pope Francis to celebrate an Extraordinary Mission Month during October 2019. In this context, Dharmaram College, Bangalore, the Major Study House of the CMI Congregation, inaugurated its CMI Mission Year celebrations on 29 October 2018 with the lighting of the lamp by Fr. George Edayadiyil CMI, Rector, Fr. Saju Chackalackal CMI, General Councillor for Evangelization and Pastoral Ministry, and one of the Scholastics. It was followed by a prayer service; soon after the reading from the Gospel, Fr. Saju Chackalackal shared his reflections on the CMI Missions, especially with a focus on the missions carried out in contemporary times. He highlighted the thrust of the last General Synaxis for global missions and invited the young Scholastics to get prepared for the missions across the globe, as the whole Catholic Church is looking to Indian Church for more missionaries.
17. Gathering of Jubilarians: Get together and Golden Jubilee celebration of priestly ordination will be held on 15, 16 and 17 January 2019 and of the first Profession will be on 22, 23 and 24 January 2019 at Chavara Hills, Kakkanad.
Get together and Silver Jubilee celebration of priestly ordination will be held on 18, 19 and 20 January 2019 and of the first profession will be on 01, 02, and 03 February 2019 at Chavara Hills, Kakkanad.
18. PG Diary
? Rev. Fr. Prior General is in Indore for his Annual retreat.
19. Congratulations and Best wishes to
? Rev. Fr. Joy Vattolly for successfully defending his thesis titled Intervention Strategies for HIV/AIDS Infected Women in Kerala: An Appraisal of Models of Social Inclusion and Social Capital from The Gandhigram Rural Institute: Deemed to be University under the guidance of Dr. K. Velumani.
? Rev. Fr. Gilson Nedumaruthamchalil for his book Anudhina Vachanapragoshanam Vyathyastha Kazhchapadil (Homiletics) from Pavanatma Publishers Pvt. Ltd, Kozhikode.
? Rev. Fr. Babu Thattil for his book Njan Aparajitha (Novel) from Blue Eyes Publishers, Palakkad.
20. Upcoming Events (Evangelization and Pastoral Ministry)
? CMI Retreat Preachers’ Meet: Get-together of CMI retreat preachers during 21-25 January 2019, at CSR, Pariyaram.
? CMI Mission Year: 1 October 2018 – 31 October 2019.
? CMI Mission Congress: Friday, 27 September 2019 – Tuesday, 1 October 2019.
21. Upcoming Events (Formation Coordination)
? Mission Provincials Meet: on 7 December 2018, at Chavara Dham, Budhni.
22. † Let’s Remember the Departed Souls
? Rev. Fr. Bijo Karikkarappally CMI (32) (Sacred Heart Province, Kochi) slept in the Lord on 11 November 2018 in an accident near Perumbavoor. His the funeral was on Tuesday 13 November 2018 at 2.30pm at Sacred Heart Provincial House, Rajagiri, Kalamassery.
? Rev. Fr. Joseph Mattam CMI (77) (St. Thomas Province, Kozhikode) slept in the Lord on 29 November 2018 at 2.45 pm at our Contemplative Ashram, Kakkadampoil due to a massive heart attack. His funeral was at 2.30 pm on Friday, 30 November, 2018 at St. Joseph's Monastery, Devagiri.
? Mrs. Elia (87) beloved mother of Rev. Fr. Thomas Thelekadan CMI (St. John's Province, Bijnor) passed away on 30 October 2018, early morning. Her funeral service was on, 30 October 2018 at 4.00pm at Holy Family Church, Mankuzhy, Cheranallur.
? Mr. Kunjuvareed (80) beloved father of Rev. Fr. Joy Karippai CMI (Preshitha Province, Coimbatore) passed away on 06 November 2018 at 11.00 am. His funeral was on Wednesday, 07 November 2018 at 3.00 pm at St. Sebastian Church, Kuttikad.
? Mr. Francis V. I. (70) beloved father of Rev. Fr. Antony Vazhappilly CMI (Preshitha Province, Coimbatore) passed away on 18 November 2018 at 10.30pm. His funeral was held on 19 November 2018 at St. Joseph's Church, Pavaratty at 4.30pm.
? Mr. Abraham Mathew (84) beloved father of Fr. Jose Elemthuruthy CMI (St. John's Province, Bijnor) has been called to eternal rest on 29 November 2018. His funeral was on Sunday, 02 December 2018 at St. George Church, Idukki.
? Mr. Pathrose (82) beloved father of Fr. Joby Chackalackal CMI (Preshitha Province, Coimbatore) has been called to eternal rest, on 27 November 2018. His funeral was on Wednesday, 28 November, 2018 at 3.30 pm at St. Antony's Forane Church Pudukkad.
? Mr. P.D. Joseph (84) beloved father of Fr. Augustine Parakkel CMI (St. John’s Province, Bijnor) slept in the Lord on 01 November 2018. His funeral was held at St. Mary’s Church, Njarackal on 02 November 2018 at 2.30 pm.
? Mr. Isaac Kureekkattil (88), beloved father of Rev. Fr. Paul Kureekkattil CMI (Councillor for finance, St. Thomas Province, Kozhikode) slept in the Lord on 02 December 2018, noon. His funeral will be on Wednesday, 05 December 2018 at St. Mary’s Church, Manippara, Kannur at 10.00am.
? Mr. A. L. Varghese (76) beloved brother of Rev. Fr. Jose Akkarakkaran CMI (St. Paul Province, Bhopal) slept in the Lord on, 12 November 2018, morning. His funeral was on Wednesday, 14 November 2018 at 9.00am at St. Thomas Cathedral, Irinjalakuda.
? Mr. Raphael Padamadan (85) beloved elder brother of Rev. Fr. Francis Padamatt CMI (Mary Matha Vice-Province, Hyderabad) passed away on, 21 November 2018 at 11am. His funeral was on, 22 November 2018 at St. Mary's Church, Elthuruth at 11am.
? Mr. Mathew Mukulath (67), beloved elder brother of Fr. Devasiachan Mukulath CMI (St. Paul's Province, Mysuru) has been called to eternal rest on 24 November 2018 at 7.00pm. He has been been suffering from Cancer. The funeral took place on, 25 November 2018 at 3.00pm at Lourd Matha Church, Thalayanad.
? Mr. Thomankutty (81), beloved brother of Fr. Jacob Achandy CMI (Devamatha Province, Thrissur) has been called to eternal rest ton, 25 November 2018 at 4.00 a.m. The funeral took place on 25 November 2018 at 4.00pm at Fathima Matha Church, Vellamchira.
? Rev. Fr. Joshy Chackalackal belonging to diocese of Palakkad and beloved brother of Fr. George Chackalackal CMI (Mar Thoma Province, Chanda) slept in the Lord on 13 November 2018. His funeral was held on Saturday, 17 November 2018 at 2.30 pm at Assumption Church, Pallikunnu, Varandarappilly.
? Mr. Joseph Vettickal, beloved elder brother of Fr. Sebastian Vettickal CMI (St. John’s Province, Bijnor) was called for eternal reward on 30 November 2018. His funeral will be on 04 December 2018 at 10.30am at Holy Cross Church, Kappadu, near Kanjirappally.



Dear Children, by the special grace of God, we have been called to be members of the Congregation, dear to the Mother of God. This has been so because God willed it so and not because man planned it thus. - St. Kuriakose Elias Chavara