Maria Theresa Chiramel
|
Blessed Thresia Chiramel Mankdiyan |
|
|---|---|
| Religious; Mystic | |
| Born | 26 April 1876 Puthenchira, Thrissur District, Kerala, India |
| Died | 8 June 1926 (aged 50) Kuzhikattussery, Thrissur District, India |
| Venerated in | Syro-Malabar Catholic Church |
| Beatified | 9 April 2000, Saint Peter's Square, Vatican City by Pope John Paul II |
| Feast | 8 June |
| Attributes | Religious habit |
| Patronage | Congregation of the Holy Family |
Blessed Thresia Chiramel Mankidiyan (26 April 1876 – 8 June 1926) was an Indian Syro-Malabar professed religious and the founder of the Congregation of the Holy Family. Mankidiyan became known for receiving frequent visions and ecstasies as well as even receiving the stigmata which she kept well-guarded. She had been involved in apostolic work her entire life and pushed for strict adherence to the rule of her order amongst her fellow religious.
Pope John Paul II beatified the late nun on 9 April 2000.
Thresia Chiramel Mankidiyan was born in Puthenchira in the Thrissur district on 26 April 1876 as the third of five children of Thoma and Thanda and was later baptized on 3 May 1876 at the church of Saint Mary; she was named in honor of Saint Teresa of Ávila. Her paternal uncle Antony Chiramel Mankidiyan was her godfather and his wife Anna was the godmother. Her family was once rich though became poorer and poorer when her grandfather married off seven daughters after selling property for each costly dowry; this led to her brothers and her father taking up drinking. Her mother was her father's second wife; her father's first wife Mariamkutty died during childbirth in 1872. She had two sisters and two brothers and were in exact order: Porinchu, Mariamkutty, Ouseph and Ittianam - she was born in between Mariamkutty and Ouseph.
In 1884 her mother tried in vain to dissuade the pious girl from her severe fasts and night vigils. Her mother died on 2 March 1888 after blessing her children who gathered at her deathbed. Her mother's death marked the conclusion of her studies and she instead dedicated herself to contemplation in her local parish church. She made a private vow to remain chaste in 1886. In 1891 she hatched a scheme to sneak from home to lead a life of penance in the hills but soon decided against this and instead returned home. Since 1904 she desired to be called "Mariam" under the belief she had a vision from the Blessed Virgin Mary in which she was instructed to add it to her name. From 1902 to 1905 she was subjected to several exorcisms from Venerable Joseph Vithayathil - under the orders of the local bishop - and from 1902 it was Vithayathil who became her spiritual director until her death.
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