DUKRANA THIRUNNAL- The Solemn Feast of Apostle St Thomas July 3rd

(St Thomas tomb in Mylapore, Chennai)

The Syriac word 'Dukhrana' means remembrance or memory. On Dukhrana Thirunnal Day on July 3rd, Syro-Malabar Christians commemorate the martyrdom of St Thomas, their beloved Apostle every year.

Dukhrana Thirunnal is the Great Solemn Feast of St Thomas, one of the 12 Apostles chosen by Lord Jesus Christ. He was sent by the Lord to spread His Gospel of Eternal Salvation to the people of India in AD 52. According to the Church history, it was on a July 3rd the apostle was martyred on Parangi Malai in Madras (now St Thomas Mount in Chennai). It is a great day of high significance for the Christians in India particularly the South Indian Christians and Syrian Christians of Kerala. 

The Solemn Festival Day of St Thomas is observed piously and spiritually with great pomp and gaiety. It is a holiday for all the institutions run by the Catholic Church in Kerala. For the Catholic Christians of Kerala, it is a Holy day of obligation. Holy Masses are celebrated in most Churches in par with the Sunday schedules. 

There are spiritual celebrations and huge rush of pilgrims on St Thomas mount (where the Apostle was assassinated) and at Santhome Church, Mylapore Chennai (where the sacred body is buried and a holy relic is venerated). Both these places are witnessing a number of great miracles by the intercession of the Saint with the power of the Holy Name of Lord Jesus.

The Syro-Malabar Catholic communities in the US and other European countries also commemorate this Feast with much importance probably with more enthusiasm and activities than that of their mother land Kerala. The efforts taken by the loyal Keralite Catholic believers of the Lord in the USA and other Countries to share the Culture and tradition of our Faith to our younger generation by conducting Bible quizzes, Bible Conventions, special Retreat and renewal programs for youth etc and to make the youngsters participate in them is very laudable in the sight of the Lord.

It is a matter of great delight for all the people of the Lord world-wide to know that St Joseph Syro Malabar Forane Catholic Church, Houston, Texas is conducting a 'Summer Retreat' by name "Shalom Festival 2015" on July 3rd, 4th and 5th. To encourage the children of God to seek the Creator in the young age, a leadership training program by name 'TORCH' (Texas Oklahoma Regional Conference - Houston) is being held at Waxahachie in Texas on July 17-20, 2015. For registration and more info please check the website of the church: http://torch.stthomasdya.org/

Justifying the old saying of our past generation that heavy downpour will accompany 'Dukrana Perunnal', the Feast Day of St Thomas today (03-07-2015) also  witnessed showers of blessings in the form of rain in entire Kerala state. 

May the Holy Name of God be Glorified. Amen...!

Blessed Chavara Kuriakose Elias (Chavara Achchan) and Sister Euphrasia (Evuprasamma) are elevated as Saints of the Catholic Churc

Followed by the Canonization of Blessed Sister Alphonsa as the first woman saint and the second person to become a saint from India after  Mumbai based St Gonsalo Garcia [who was born in 1556,desired to become a Catholic Priest, engaged in missionary work in Japan before being martyred in 1597 and was declared a saint by the Catholic Church in 1862], Now the Indian Church in particular and the whole country in general especially the state of Kerala are in jubilation on the declaration of two of its prestigious children loved by most of the backward caste people without any religious discrimination, to be elevated as Saints....!

The announcement of Blessed Father Chavara Kuriakose Elias, popularly called as Chavara Achchan and his disciple and nun Blessed Sister Euphrasia called as 'Evuprasamma' is a twin delight for the 2000 year-old Indian Church establkished by Apostle St. Thomas and the Society founded by Chavara Kuriakose Father, the CMI....!

Father Kuriakose Elias was not only a Spiritual and Religious leader of his time, but also played a significant role in the eradication of untouchability and many other evil practices that prevailed in the Indian society then.

To see his life history and all other information and images/pictures, details of his Holy tomb, the congregations founded by him etc. please check this official website of the Society established by the Saint CMI:

http://www.blessedchavara.org/

And it is worth visiting this blog too:

http://saintchavara.blogspot.in/

St. Chavara Acha and Evuprasamma please pray for us....!

Marian Pilgrimage (Einsiedelelike) by Syro Malabar Churches in Switzerland on October 28, 2012

On the last Sunday of the Holy Rosary month of 2012 ie on the 28th October, 2012, all the Marian devotees from all the Syro Malabar pastoral centers are arriving in Einsiedelelike as a pilgrimage.

The Bishop of Thrissur Diocese Mar Andrews Thazhath will celebrate the Holy High Mass and deliver the Lord's message. All the Marian devotees are cordially invited by the Church community to participate the mega spiritual event.

event schedule:

1.30 pm Holy Rosary (Japamala)
2.00 pm Holy Eucharistic Mass ( Visuddha Querbana)

Ave Maria