Mother Eliswa, the first nun in the history of the Catholic Church in Kerala and the founder of the Third Order of Discalced Carmelites (TOCD), is to be elevated to the status of “Blessed” and Pope Leo XIV will approve it.
The declaration, which comes 112 years after her death, will take place on Saturday (November 8, 2025) at the National Marian Pilgrimage Center in the Basilica of Our Lady of the Redemption in Vallarpadom. The ceremony will begin at 4:30 p.m.
Varapuzha Archbishop Joseph Kalathiparambil will formally apply for the beatification. Cardinal Sebastian Francis, Bishop of Penang, Malaysia and Papal Delegate representing Pope Leo XIV, will officially beatify Mother Eliswa.
Apostolic Nuncio to India Archbishop Leopoldo Girelli will deliver the message. Cardinal Oswald Gracias unveils the pious image of Blessed Mother Eliswa. The ceremonies will end with the procession of the devotional image to the basilica, followed by a musical presentation about the life of Mother Eliswa.
Founded by Mother Eliswa on February 13, 1866, the TODC was later divided by respective rites in 1890, resulting in the formation of two religious congregations: the Congregation of Teresian Carmelites (CTC) and the Congregation of Our Lady of Carmel (CMC).
The Dicastery for the Causes of Saints in the Vatican declared Mother Eliswa Venerable on November 8, 2023, in recognition of her heroic virtues and sanctity of life.
Published – 04 Nov 2025 20:46 IST
