The 40th death anniversary of Monsignor Joseph Kuzhinjalil, the founder of the Sisters of Mary, was commemorated at the Marthandam Christuraj Cathedral on August 23, 2023.
On August 23, at 9:30 am, a Holy Mass was celebrated under the leadership of His Beatitude Baselios Cardinal Cleemis Catholicos, the head and father of the Malankara Syrian Catholic Church, in the presence of other bishops and priests. After the Holy Mass, a memorial service was held, followed by a prayer service at the tomb.
Sisters of Mary, representatives of other religious congregations, and lay people attended the event.
Born in Kuzhinjalil Mala near Tirurangadi in Malappuram district in 1932, Monsignor Kuzhinjalil was ordained a priest in 1957. He served as the Metropolitan Archbishop of Kottayam from 1962 to 2012.
A gifted orator, Monsignor Kuzhinjalil authored numerous books and essays on faith and life. His sermons drew large crowds.