In a historic and faith-filled celebration, Mother Eliswa Vakayil, the revered foundress of the Congregation of the Carmelite Sisters (CTC), was officially declared ‘Blessed’, bringing waves of joy and devotion across Kerala and beyond. The solemn proclamation took place amidst divine hymns, bells of reverence, and hearts overflowing with pride in the Kerala Sabha.
Born in 1831 in the serene village of Ochanthuruth, Eliswa was not born into sainthood, but she carved her path to it—with humility, courage, and unshakable faith. A widow at a young age, she renounced worldly pleasures and committed her life to serving the poor, uplifting women, and nurturing young minds through education and shelter.
She founded the first indigenous congregation for women in India, an act of spiritual revolution at the time. Her legacy birthed not just a religious order, but a movement—a sanctuary for women when the world gave them none.
The Church’s recognition of her life’s holiness has now culminated in her beatification. With this title of "Blessed", Mother Eliswa takes her rightful place among the luminaries of Catholic history—awaiting the final step of sainthood.
The ceremony was rich in symbolism. A portrait of the Blessed Mother Eliswa was unveiled in an atmosphere of silent awe, while a relic procession and liturgical celebrations echoed the sacredness of the moment. Devotees from all corners of the state gathered in prayer, many moved to tears by the acknowledgment of the spiritual matriarch who once walked among them.
This declaration by the Vatican is not just a milestone for the Church, but a moment of deep cultural pride for Kerala, where her legacy continues through thousands of Carmelite sisters dedicated to education, healthcare, and humanitarian service.
The bells that tolled in her honor today ring not just for her—but for every forgotten woman she uplifted, every orphan she embraced, every soul she guided toward the light.
And now, the world shall know her not just as Eliswa Vakayil, but as Blessed Eliswa—Kerala’s gift to the heavens.