Blessed Chavara's base gets ready for canonization

The Church authorities said they were expecting nearly 50,000 devotees to the church on the day of canonization.

The statue of Fr Chavara Kuriakose Elias, who will be canonised on November 23, in front of Mannanam Church.

Kottayam:  Mannanam, a suburb of Kottayam town in Kerala, where Blessed Chavara Kuriakose Elias based his activities, is getting ready for his canonization.

The local church and the area around it has recently seen a flurry of modification works, as the place is all set to turn into a major pilgrim destination.

The canonization of Blessed Chavara is set on November 23 along with that of Mother Euphrasia, after Pope Francis approved the miracles attributed to them.

A statue of Blessed Chavara has been unveiled in front of Mannanam Monastery, where his mortal remains are to be kept.

The Mannanam Hill, which was his major area of activity, is all set to receive tens of thousands of devotees who flock to St Joseph’s Monastery Church.

Blessed Chavara was a social reformer, publisher, educator and founder of order of the Carmelites of Mary Immaculate. Pope John Paul II beatified him in February 1986.

With Mannanam Hill being recognized a major pilgrim spot, the authorities have recently widened and reconstructed the roads to the town.

Various developmental activities are being taken up in and around the region in coordination with a number of government departments.

The state government has allocated 60 million for the renovation of Kottayam- Mannanam Road, 6.5 million for various link roads and 3.5 million for construction of footpaths.

The Church authorities said they were expecting nearly 50,000 devotees to the church on the day of canonization.

Various arrangements, including for food and overnight stay, have been made to ensure the comfort of devotees.

Source: New Indian Express