Varghese Payyappilly
A priest of the Syro-Malabar Church in India, Varghese Payyappilly dedicated himself to the poor and the victims of disasters, founding the Congregation of the Sisters of the Destitute to continue his work of charity.
Contemporaries
Figures and markers around the normalized period for this entry.
Guided reading
5 reading sections
Biography
Youth, formation, and priestly ordination of Varghese Payyappilly.
The Venerable Varghese Payyappilly Palakkappilly was born on August 8, 1876, in Konthuruthy, in the state of Kerala, India, into a pious Syro-Malabar Christian family. His parents, Lonan and Kunjumariam, instilled in him a solid faith. After his studies in Perumanoor and Ernakulam, he entered the seminary of Puthenpally and then the Pontifical Seminary of Kandy in Sri Lanka. He was ordained a priest on December 21, 1907, for the Archdiocese of Ernakulam. He exercised his ministry in several parishes and directed the St. Mary's High School in Aluva, forming future servants of the Church such as Cardinal Joseph Parecattil.
Life and Work
Dedication during the 1924 floods and the founding of the Sisters of the Destitute.
Marked by an overflowing pastoral charity, Father Varghese devoted himself to the victims during the severe floods of 1924 in Aluva, opening St. Mary's school to shelter them. Faced with the misery of the elderly and the abandoned, he founded the congregation of the "Little Sisters of the Poor" on March 19, 1927, in Chunangamvely with five pioneers from Kizhakkambalam. In 1933, the institute took the official name of "Sisters of the Destitute".
Path to holiness
Premature death and opening of the cause for beatification.
Father Varghese died of typhoid fever on October 5, 1929, in Ernakulam at the age of 53. He was buried in St. John Nepomucene Church in Konthuruthy. His reputation for holiness grew rapidly. His cause for beatification was officially opened on September 6, 2009, by Cardinal Varkey Vithayathil, declaring him a "Servant of God." His mortal remains were transferred to a new tomb in February 2011.
Beatification and canonization
Recognition of the heroic nature of his virtues by Pope Francis.
On April 14, 2018, Pope Francis authorized the promulgation of the decree recognizing the heroic nature of his virtues, conferring upon him the title of Venerable. The cause is currently underway, awaiting the recognition of a miracle for his beatification.
Spirituality and legacy
Evangelical spirituality and the global development of his congregation.
Father Varghese's spirituality is based on the Gospel of Saint Matthew (Mt 25:40): "Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me." He served all human beings without distinction of caste or creed. Today, the Sisters of the Destitute number more than 1,500 religious sisters worldwide, managing hospices, palliative care centers, dispensaries, and schools.
Frequently asked questions about Varghese Payyappilly
Who was Varghese Payyappilly?
A priest of the Syro-Malabar Church in India, Varghese Payyappilly dedicated himself to the poor and the victims of disasters, founding the Congregation of the Sisters of the Destitute to continue his work of charity.
Which saints were contemporaries of Varghese Payyappilly?
Contemporaries include: Pauline of the Agonizing Heart of Jesus, Felipe de Jesús Munárriz and 50 companions, Mariano de Jesús Euse Hoyos and Teresa of Jesus of the Andes.
When did Varghese Payyappilly die?
Varghese Payyappilly died around 1929.
What are the other names of Varghese Payyappilly?
Other forms of the name: Payyappilly Varghese Kathanar and Varghese Payyappilly Palakkappilly.
Who are the relatives of Varghese Payyappilly?
Relatives of Varghese Payyappilly: Lonan (father) and Kunjumariam (mother).
Annexes & related entities
Structured data for exploration: events, miracles, quotes, places, attributes, patronages, and important entities cited in the text.
Key Events
- Era / death: 1929
- Decree of venerability in 2018 by Francis