( 29-06-1928 to 27-11-2014 )
Rev. Fr. Auralian Kurias OCD of the Most Blessed Sacrament expired on 27th November, 2014, at the age of 86.
Rev. Fr. Aurelian Kurias OCD was born on 29th June, 1928 at Muttuchira in the Diocese of Palai. He was the youngest of the six children in the family. He had his primary and secondary school education at Kaduthuruthy, Kuravilangad and Mannam respectively.
Fr. Aurelian entered the Novitiate of the Discalced Carmelite at Thuckalay on 24th May, 1951 taking the new name Br. Auralian Kurias OCD of the Most Blessed Sacrament and made his Simple Profession on 25th May, 1952 at Carmel Hill Monastery, Thiruvananthapuram. He had his basic philosophical studies at Carmel Hill Monastery and theological study at Ghent in Belgium where was ordained priest on 27th July, 1957.
Fr. Aurelian served the Malabar Province at different places and as various positions. H served Superior, St. Teresa’s Monastery, Ernakulam; Mount Carmel Ashram, Peravoor and St. Thomas Monastery, Ollur. He was conventual at Ávilagiri Ashram, Koombara; St. Joseph’s Monastery, Carmelaram, Bengaluru; Ávila Dhyanasram, Sengulam and Mount Carmel Ashram, Palai. He was a confessor for whoever approached the confessionary box and he was always ready to hear the confessions. He worked as a zealous missionary in Punjab and South Africa. He served as the Mission Superior in its beginning years of the Punjab Mission, which belongs to Delhi Province today. He also served as parish priest for the parishes in Muvattupuzha and Vijayapuram Dioceses. He was a conventual of Carmel Hill Monastery during his last years since 2008. The co-friars and the faithful even cherish now the loving memory of his prayerful presence in the Monastery premises, with a rosary in his hands and always kept a smile on his lips.
On 19th November, 2014, Fr. Aurelian was admitted in KIMS hospital with the complaint of stomach pain. The doctors diagnosed that he was having cancer in his stomach and that it was in an advanced stage. The Jaundice made his condition worse. On 26th November, he received the Anointing of the Sick from Very Rev. Fr. Zacharias Kariyilakulam OCD, Prior, Carmel Hill Monastery. On 27th morning, he vomited blood and became unconscious. On the same day at 9.30 p.m., Rev. Fr. Aurelian Kurias breathed his last.
The mortal remains of Rev. Fr. Aurelian was brought to Carmel Hill Monastery by 12.00a.m. The community celebrated Requiem Mass in the morning. Rt. Rev. Dr. Soosai Pakkiam, Archbishop of Thiruvananthapuram; Mar Irenaeus, Auxiliary Bishop of Malankara Major Archdiocese, Thiruvananthapuram; and Mar Jacob Murickan, Auxiliary Bishop of Palai paid their homage and prayed the Office of the Dead according to their own rites. His body was taken to Lisieux Centre, Muvattupuzha on 26th November, 2014. The funeral service began at 6.00 p.m. In the absence of Father Provincial, who was in Europe, Rev. Fr. Augustine Valummel OCD, Vicar Provincial, officiated the funeral service assisted by many priests, religious. A large number of faithful including his relatives and friends took part in the ceremonies. The final rites were officiated by Mar George Punnakottil, Bishop Emeritus of Kothamangalam Diocese. The body of Rev. Fr. Aurelian Kurias OCD was interred into the crypt by 7.45 p.m.
+ May the Lord reward His faithful Carmelite Friar!!
REQUIEM IN PACEM!!