Blessed Eliswa Vakayil
A Kerala widow who founded India's first native women's religious congregation
- Rank
- Blessed
- Kind
- Founder, Religious, Mystic
- Life
- 1831 – 1913
- Era
- 20th century
- Countries
- India
Life story
She was born on 15 October 1831 at Ochanthuruth in the Ernakulam area of Kerala. In 1847, aged 16, she married Vareethu Vakayil, but he died in the early 1850s, leaving her a widow at about 20 with a small daughter, Anna.
In 1862 she told Father Leopold Beccaro, an Italian Discalced Carmelite missionary, of her wish to consecrate her life to God, and he became her spiritual director. The first community began in a bamboo-mat hut at Koonammavu. Archbishop Bernardine Baccinelli recognised it in February 1866, and the first sisters made vows in 1868.
After the division of rites in Malabar in 1887, the Latin branch was re-established at St Joseph's convent in Varapuzha on 11 November 1890, becoming the Congregation of Teresian Carmelites (CTC). She served as the first novice mistress when the novitiate opened in 1892. Her motto was God alone suffices.
She died on 18 July 1913 at Varapuzha, aged 81. Pope Francis declared her venerable on 8 November 2023 and recognised a miracle credited to her intercession on 14 April 2025. She was beatified on 8 November 2025 at the shrine basilica of Our Lady of Ransom at Vallarpadam.
Works and witness
- Widowed at 20 and chose a consecrated life
- Began the first community with Father Leopold Beccaro at Koonammavu
- Community recognised in February 1866
- Novice mistress at Varapuzha from 1892
- Beatified on 8 November 2025
Saints from the same country
References
- Holy See Press Office, decrees of the Dicastery for the Causes of Saints on Eliswa Vakayil (2023, 2025)
- Congregation of Teresian Carmelites (CTC), history of the foundress
- Vatican News, report on the beatification of 8 November 2025
Written by Anawim from documented history. Some details about ancient saints rest on tradition and are marked as such.