Saint of the day August 30, 2025

Euphrasia Eluvathingal was born on 17 October 1877 in a Syro-Malabar Catholic Nasrani family in Kattoor, Irinjalakuda, Thrissur district, in Kerala. Rosa was the eldest child of wealthy landowner Cherpukaran Antony and his wife Kunjethy. She was baptized on 25 October 1877 in Our Lady of Carmel, Forane Church, Edathiruthy, to pray the Rosary and to participate in the Qurbana.

At the age of nine, Rosa is said to have experienced an apparition of the Blessed Virgin Mary, which led her to make a commitment never to marry and to commit her entire life to God. When she was ten, she entered the boarding school attached to the first indigenous Carmelite community in the Syro-Malabar Church, founded by Saints Kuriakose Elias Chavara and Leopold Beccaro in 1866 at Koonammavu in Ernakulam District.

As she grew older, Rosa wanted to enter the Sisters of the Mother of Carmel, who followed the Rule of the Third Order of the Discalced Carmelites. Her father opposed this, as he wanted to arrange a marriage for her with the son of another prosperous family in the region. Seeing her resolve, her father eventually relented and accompanied her to the convent.

In 1897, Mar John Menachery, the first native Bishop of the Syro-Malabar Catholic Archeparchy of Thrissur, established a Carmelite Convent in Ambazakad. On 9 May, he brought all five inmates from Koonammavu who belonged to his diocese. The next day Rosa was received as a postulant, taking the name Sister Euphrasia of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, and was admitted to the novitiate of the congregation on 10 January 1898.

Her constant poor health, however, threatened her stay in the convent, as the superiors considered dismissing her. Euphrasia is said to have had a vision of the Holy Family, at which point the illness she had long felt ceased. Euphrasia made her solemn profession on 24 May 1900, during the blessing of the newly founded St. Mary's Convent, Ollur, or Chinna Roma. After she took her perpetual vows, she was appointed assistant to the Novice Mistress.

Though frail in health, in 1904, Euphrasia was appointed Novice Mistress of the congregation. She held this position for nine years until 1913, when she was made Mother Superior of the convent, where she was to live the rest of her life, serving as Mother Superior until 1916. She endeavored to lead a life of constant prayer and of devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, becoming known to many people as the Praying Mother.

Euphrasia spent much of her day in the convent chapel before the Blessed Sacrament, to which she had a strong devotion. She also nourished a great love and devotion for the Virgin Mary. Euphrasia died on 29 August 1952 at St. Mary's Convent. Her tomb has become a pilgrimage site as miracles have been reported by some of the faithful.

Pope John Paul II approved the Decree of the heroic virtues of the Servant of God in 2002, proclaiming her Venerable. On Sunday, 3 December 2006, she became the fifth Blessed of Kerala, India, and the sixth of the Nation of India. She was canonised as a saint by Pope Francis on 23 November 2014 in Vatican City. Since the beheading of St. John the Baptist is celebrated on August 29, the feast of St. Euphrasia is celebrated on August 30 each year.

Reflection

St Euphrasia spent much of her life in seclusion within the convent, dedicated to contemplation and prayer. Despite her isolation, she was known for her ability to perform miracles, such as healing the sick and helping the poor. She was also recognized for her deep spiritual wisdom and the ability to give guidance to those who sought her counsel. Her reputation as a saintly woman spread throughout the community, and many people sought her intercession in times of need.

Throughout her life, she endured many physical trials, including ill health and loneliness, yet she remained steadfast in her faith and dedication to God. Her life was one of suffering in silence, living out the values of humility, obedience, and charity. Euphrasia was a quiet, humble servant who lived her vocation with such love and devotion that it touched the hearts of many around her.

Saint Euphrasia’s life serves as an example of how one can live a profound life of service and prayer, seeking only God and loving one’s neighbors with a selfless heart. Her legacy is a reminder of the power of humility, devotion, and the importance of living a life centered on faith and charity.