Prominent Figures of the Kerala Church -16
Father C.M. Cheriyan Kurikkat S.J.
Father C.M. Cheriyan Kurikkat S.J. became a notable figure in Kerala’s spiritual arena through his work as a meditation guru, writer, and spiritual advisor. Born on March 2, 1919, in the Kurikkat family of Palai, as the second son of Adv. C.M. Mathew and Maryam Kudakkachira, he received his schooling in Palai and his pre-university education at St. Berchmans College, Changanassery. He then earned a B.A. degree from St. Thomas College, Thrissur, in 1939. At that time, Cheriyan’s maternal uncle, Dr. Thomas Kudakkachira, had completed his MBBS from Madras and was practicing medicine in Palai. Cheriyan joined Dr. Thomas’s clinic as a secretary and household assistant. One evening, while going for a bath at Meenachil, Dr. Thomas unexpectedly asked him a question. Cheriyan replied, “How can I become a priest when I cannot even pray for five minutes?” Two weeks later, while praying in church, Cheriyan received a message in his ear saying, “You should become a priest.” Accepting this divine calling, he decided to pursue the priesthood. He went to the school library and picked up a small book titled “Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius” and read it in his clinic room. The principles and foundations of the book deeply resonated with him, and the words of the mystic St. Ignatius led him to a new state of being.
He began his studies at St. Joseph’s College, Thrissur, and when he shared his interest in becoming a priest with a friend, he was advised to join the Jesuit order. Following this advice, Cheriyan wrote to the Vice-Provincial, indicating that his decision to choose religious life was based on a thorough study of St. Ignatius’s works. The Vice-Provincial, Father Andrew Airo, responded affirmatively, ready to accept him into the order.
To join the Jesuits, Cheriyan went to the Kodai Kanal Shambaganur. His uncle, Dr. Thomas, had left his practice in Palai to join the Carmelite order and had taken the name Father Raphael. He passed away shortly thereafter. In 1939, Cheriyan joined the Jesuit order. During his novitiate, he pursued an M.A. in English literature at Madras Presidency College, achieving first rank, which was a significant achievement at the time. Subsequently, he studied theology at the Jesuit house in Kurseong, West Bengal, and was ordained a priest in 1952. Notable Bible scholar Father Volckart, who was a Bible professor, asked Cheriyan to assist in teaching “Sacred Scriptures.” Cheriyan was delighted to accept this role. In 1954, Father Volckart took Cheriyan to Rome, where he studied at the Biblical Institute for two years, learning the original languages of the Bible—Hebrew, Greek, and Aramaic—as well as key European languages to better understand biblical texts and modern scholarship.
On his return journey to India, Cheriyan had the opportunity to spend about five months in Palestine. This experience of visiting holy sites, studying related events, and meditating on the presence and actions of Jesus and the saints was invaluable for him. He returned to Kurseong in 1957 and began teaching. Cheriyan believed that merely studying parts of the Bible was not enough; Jesus speaks to us through all sacred writers, offering not only ideas and ideals but also continually inviting us to spiritual transformation.
His understanding of the relationship between sacred texts and personal transformation was shaped by his interactions with contemporary Catholic theologians. Spending time at the Mount of the Cross Ashram at Vagamon, under the guidance of the late Father Francis, helped him develop a method of approaching the Bible meditatively. He saw the Bible as fundamentally the word of God, calling us to repentance, renewal, and transformation. According to Father Cheriyan, Jesus is our ultimate teacher, with no other teacher like Him. The Bible’s authors are simply the mouthpieces of Jesus, and through the Old and New Testaments, Jesus continues to teach us.
Father Cheriyan devoted himself to preaching, writing, and organizing Bible classes throughout Kerala, often traveling to various locations. He emphasized that the goal of his work was to renew society through the proclamation of the word. His letters during the period of liturgical reform controversies in the Syro-Malabar Church played a significant role in fostering understanding and reconciliation. His writings on topics such as ascetic life, Bible meditation, and prayer methods were valuable contributions.
Father Cheriyan believed that a complete understanding of the Bible comes only when one listens to the word with an open heart. His lifelong Bible ministry was driven by the conviction that all believers should be renewed through Bible meditation. He had the privilege of guiding individuals and groups across India—from Amritsar to Kolkata and Shimla to Kanyakumari—in Bible study and meditation. His works, such as “Meet Jesus in the Bible” and “The Word of God Call to Personal Transformation,” published in 2004, reflect his commitment to deepening the understanding of the sacred scriptures.
The essence of Father Cheriyan’s words is to know, study, and internalize the sacred scriptures deeply. His appearance—a lean body, a white beard extending below his chest—evokes the image of Indian sages.
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