Kerala’s first nun, Mother Eliswa Vakayil, beatified and declared blessed at Vallarpadam Basilica

Kochi: Mother Eliswa Vakayil, the first nun in the Kerala Catholic Church, was declared Blessed in a solemn ceremony held at Vallarpadam Basilica on Saturday.

During the ceremony, Cardinal Sebastian Francis, Bishop of Penang, Malaysia, and representative of Pope Leo XIV, read the papal proclamation. The ceremonies marking Mother Eliswa’s beatification began at 5 pm, with Cardinal Sebastian Francis presiding over the proceedings.

Mother Eliswa was born on October 15, 1831, in Varapuzha. She was married at the age of 16 and had one daughter before her husband died unexpectedly. She is recognised as one of the pioneers who contributed to the renaissance of women in Kerala. A remarkable figure in the state’s history, she is remembered for her dedicated work in women’s education.

Her contributions included the establishment of a boarding school for girls and several other initiatives aimed at uplifting and empowering women through education and faith.

Mother Eliswa passed away on July 18, 1913, and was laid to rest at the Basilica of Our Lady of Mount Carmel and St. Joseph. Her remains were later transferred to the tomb chapel known as Smruthi Mandhiram at St. Joseph’s Convent of the Congregation of the Teresian Carmelites (CTC) in Varappuzha.