Prominent Figures of the Kerala Church -40
Sister C. Mary Ispirith, S.A.B.S.
Sister C. Mary Ispirith, who successfully unified the scattered communities of the worshipping sisters and established a central house in Aluva under a General Superior, was born on January 3, 1924, at Poroothuparambil in Champakkulam Kalloorkad parish, Changanassery Archdiocese, as the fifth child of Eppachan and Annamma. Her baptismal name was Thresya, and she was commonly called Kunjumma.
After completing her higher secondary education, she expressed a desire to join the Congregation of Sisters of St. Joseph of the Apparition (V. Kurian’s Congregation). Despite her elder brother suggesting that completing her degree would be sufficient, her parents supported her wish. In 1946, she joined the Congregation of Sisters of St. Joseph of the Apparition, adopting the name C. Mary Ispirith, and made her first vows. She made her perpetual vows in 1951.
After passing the T.T.C. from St. Theresa’s Teacher Training School in Vazhappally, she served as a teacher for seven years at various schools, including St. Theresa’s School in Vazhappally, St. Mary’s U.P. School in Thuruthy (as Headmistress), and St. Michael’s School in Thattampally. She then earned a degree in Hindi Literature and went on for further studies in America. She obtained a B.A. in English Literature from Mundelein College, Chicago, and an M.A. from DePaul University, Chicago, in 1959. From 1959 to 1965, she worked as an English lecturer at Assumption College, Changanassery, and also served as the warden of the Assumption Hostel for four years. During this time, she also served as the chaplain of the Catholic Students Union.
She served as Vice Principal and then Principal of Amal Jyothi College, Kuravilangad, from 1965 to 1970 and 1970 to 1979, respectively. The establishment of this college aimed to address the lack of higher education facilities for women, especially in rural areas. The founder, Fr. Daivadhas Thomas Kurialacherry, envisioned the college to enhance cultural and educational standards through women’s education. Sister C. Mary Ispirith made significant efforts for the establishment and progress of the college, and she was the first manager of the college.
From 1976 to 1982, Sister C. Mary Ispirith served as the Provincial Superior of the Changanassery Province of the Congregation of Sisters of St. Joseph of the Apparition and was also the manager of the college. During her time as Superior General, she played a key role in the establishment of Nirmala Giri College in Kuthuparamba and its initial operations in collaboration with the diocesan bishop, Mar Sebastian Valloppilly.
Sister C. Mary Ispirith led the effort to unify the scattered worshipping communities of the Congregation and establish the central house in Aluva under a General Superior, which became a reality on September 15, 1963. She served as Superior General of the unified Congregation for ten years (two terms). During her tenure, she implemented programs to foster love and unity among various provinces and members of the Congregation. At the time of the unification, there were only four provinces; today, there are seventeen provinces and around 4,500 members. The members of the Congregation are committed to spreading the message of Christ across India and various countries.
While serving as Superior General, the Congregation was granted Pontifical status on February 11, 1968. Sister C. Mary Ispirith had the opportunity to personally meet and converse with Pope Paul VI during the International Superiors Conference in Rome in November 1969. She also visited countries such as Germany, America, England, Ireland, Australia, and the place where the Blessed Virgin Mary appeared in Fatima.
From 1976 to 1982, she served twice as the Provincial Superior of the Changanassery Province. In collaboration with C. Benjamin Mary, she worked on historical works including “From Calcutta to Sehi Yonil,” which aimed to familiarize the members with the history of the Congregation’s growth, and “In the Waves of Memories,” which provides inspiration for leading a life centered around the V. Kurian’s spirituality.
Sister C. Mary Ispirith has also written articles for periodicals and delivered lectures at various platforms. She served as the editor of the Eucharistic Frame, which includes articles in English and Malayalam reflecting the life and contributions of V. Kurian and Fr. Daivadhas Thomas Kurialacherry, from 1991 to 2004. Additionally, she held various positions, including Vice President of C.R.I.’s Kottayam Unit, President, and Vice President of the Kerala Major Superiors Conference.
Sister C. Mary Ispirith also served as Vice Postulator for the beatification processes of Daivadhas Thomas Kurialacherry and Mar Mathew Kavukattu from 1985 for twenty years.
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