Exhumation and Canonical Recognition of the Mortal Remains of the Servant of God Archbishop Mar Ivanios

Your Grace, Your Excellencies, Rt. Rev. Corepiscopoi and Rembans, Reverend Fathers, Deacons, Religious and dear Faithful in the Lord,
As we know, the Cause of Canonisation of the Servant of God Archbishop Mar Ivanios, the shining sun of the Malankara Church, our saintly father, is progressing. The Eparchial inquiry of the Cause, that consists of the works of the Theological Commission, the Board of Inquiry and the Historical Commission are getting completed. As part of this, the mortal remains of the Servant of God are to be exhumed from the tomb in the crypt of St Mary’€™s Cathedral Pattom and their canonical recognition has to be done. On request, we have received from the Congregation for the Causes of Saints in Rome the necessary permission for this. Hence, on Monday, 23 June 2014, the tomb of Mar Ivanios will be opened and the mortal remains will be examined according to the norms of law. Thereafter, the they will be reburied in the same tomb. Arrangements will be made for all to view the mortal remains from 2 O’€™clock in the afternoon, on that day. You shall be aware that these mortal remains are not venerated as relics now. You are lovingly informed that if you wish to see the mortal remains, you have to reach St Mary’s Cathedral on Monday, 23 June 2014 between 2 and 5 pm.

On that day, in the morning at 6.30 am, the Father and Head of the Syro-Malankara Catholic Church together with the Bishops of our Church, will celebrate the Holy Qurbono at the tomb chapel. After the Holy Qurbono and the dhupaprarthana, the expert team specially appointed for the exhumation and canonical recognition of the mortal remains will begin their work after taking the oath. A team of 110 specially invited representatives will spend the time in prayer in the tomb chapel. I inform you in advance, that only the Most Rev. Bishops, the team of experts appointed for the canonical recognition and the group of ecclesial representatives will have entry in the tomb chapel.

I hope that we will be able to complete the work of the Eparchial phase of the cause as early as possible and we will be able to submit the documents to the Holy See. On this occasion I express the gratitude of the Syro-Malankara Catholic Church to all those who are committed to this tedious process.

In the coming years, all should strive to know and experience more profoundly the sanctity of the Servant of God. More and more people testify that they receive blessings through the intercession of the Servant of God. That it increases day by day makes us happy. It is an important factor in the cause of canonisation that miracles should occur through the intercession of the Servant of God. A miracle is a sign that God intervenes in our life when we pray through the intercession of the Servant of God. Miracles happen when we pray with deep faith, love and hope. Hence, all our faithful should pray incessantly with one heart and one mind through the intercession of the Servant of God. Those who experience that God intervenes in their lives when they pray through the intercession of the Servant of God should inform it in writing to the office of canonisation.

I especially remind you to observe in our Church 23 June 2014, the day of opening the tomb of the Servant of God Mar Ivanios, as a day of prayer.

Let the warmth of the love of our beloved father Mar Ivanios, let the fragrance of his virtues be an inspiration for all people! Let us pray without ceasing that the Universal Church in general and the Malankara Syrian Catholic Church in particular be blessed with the intercession of yet another saint! I urge you all to do that. May God bless us abundantly!

May all these be fulfilled through the prayers of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Mother of God and the communion of Apostles, especially of our Father and Apostle St. Thomas and all the Saints! Amen.

Circulars:

Circular on Opening of Tomb in Malayalam | Circular on Opening of Tomb in ENGLISH