Mary Francesca de Chantal
Servant of God Mother Mary Francesca de Chantal (Philomina Vallayil) popularly known as Chanthalamma (ഷന്താളമ്മ) was the first member and co-foundress[1] of the Congregation of the Sisters of the Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament (SABS).[2]
Mother Chantal | |
|---|---|
 Mother Mary Chantal SABS | |
| First member and Co-foundress of SABS Congregation | |
| Born | 23 December 1880 Champakulam, Alappuzha, Kerala, India |
| Died | 25 May 1972 (aged 91) Athirampuzha, Kottayam, Kerala, India |
| Venerated in | Catholic Church |
| Major shrine | St. Mary's Forane Church, Athirampuzha |
| Feast | (not yet assigned) Commemoration on 23 May |
Childhood and early life
Philomina Vallayil was born on 23 December 1880 to Mathew and Mariamma at Champakulam, a village in Alappuzha, in the state of Kerala, India. Her husband died shortly after their marriage and she had to return to her place at Champakulam. At Kalloorkattu Church, she met Thomas Kurialacherry, which paved the way for the beginning of a new phase of her life.[3]
First member of SABS Congregation
Under the spiritual guidance of Thomas Kurialacherry, Vallayil was able to understand the path she should follow. Inspired by the piety and lifestyle of the perpetual adoration sisters in Rome, Kurialacherry started a religious congregation for women in Kerala, who would spend day and night in adoration of the Blessed Sacrament and to spread the eucharistic devotion. Philomina was the first member to join the congregation and took her religious name as Mary Francesca de Chantal. As the bishop of Changanassery, Kurialacherry entrusted Chantal with the duty of starting new schools and colleges.
Last days of life and cause for canonization
After Kurialacherry's death, Chantal was relieved of active convent life until her death. She died on 25 May 1972, at the age of 91 years.
She was recognized as the co-foundress of the SABS congregation in the Renewal Synaxis held in January 2007.[4]
The diocesan inquiry for the cause of canonization of Mother Chantal was opened on 4 August 2018[5] and she was declared a Servant of God.
References
- ↑ "Sisters of the Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament (S.A.B.S.)". GCatholic. Retrieved 2021-06-11.
- ↑ "SABS - Sisters of the Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament". www.sabscongregation.org. Retrieved 2021-06-11.
- ↑ "SABS | Welcome". sabskothamangalam.org. Retrieved 2021-06-11.
- ↑ "Mother Chantal: Co-foundress" (PDF). Unknown parameter
|url-status=ignored (help) - ↑ "1972". newsaints.faithweb.com. Retrieved 2021-06-11.
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