Brisk preparations are on both at St. Phelomena’s Church, Koonammavu and at Rajagiri Valley, Kakkanad, for the celebrations of the canonisation of Chavara Kuriakose Elias and Mother Euphrasia.
Celebrations and special ceremonies are scheduled to begin at 3 p.m. on November 23 at Koonammavu Church, where the mortal remains of Chavara Kuriakose was initially buried in 1871.
The celebrations at Koonammavu would coincide with the ceremonies in the Vatican, where Pope Francis would declare them saints on June 23, said a spokesman of the Varappuzha archdiocese here.
Combined celebrationsThe post-canonisation combined celebrations at Rajagiri Valley are scheduled for November 29.
Arrangements, including the practice by a 150-member choir for the concelebrated Mass, are in progress, sources said.
A venue, which can accommodate about 50,000 people is getting ready at Rajagiri Valley.
A meeting of district officials convened by Fisheries Minister K. Babu reviewed the preparations for the celebrations on Monday.
Visit to RomeMeanwhile, an official delegation comprising members of the Carmelites of Mary Immaculate, the Catholic religious order founded by Chavara Kuriakose Elias, is scheduled to leave for Rome in the early hours of Wednesday to attend the canonisation ceremonies on November 23.
The delegation comprises 250 members.
They are part of a total of around 1,200 people, who will fly to the Vatican to attend the canonisation ceremonies. Delegations from Olloor, the place where Mother Euphrasia’s mortal remains are interred and Mannanam, where the mortal remains of Chavara Kuriakose Elias are now buried, as well as members of the family of the saints will be in Rome.
