Lawrence Puliyanath

Lawrence Puliyanath
Lawrence Puliyanath
	Msgr Lawrence Puliyanath
Servant Of God
Born	8 August 1898; Mundamveli
Hometown	Kochi
Died	20 February 1961; Edacochin
Honored in	Catholic Church
Major shrine	St Sebastian's Church Edacochin
Feast	February 20

Lawrence Puliyanath, occasionally known as Lawrence of Edakochi (8 August 1898 – 20 February 1961), was a Catholic priest of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Cochin,^[1] declared a Servant of God.^[2]He was born in Mundamveli, Kochi, Kerala, India, and was a member of St Louis Church, Mundamveli.^[1]

He joined the Diocese of Cochin, and completed his formation at the Papal Seminary, Kandy; he was ordained in 1926. He was later professor of philosophy in Alappuzha Seminary and at the same time co-vicar in St Lawrence Church, Edacochin, where he became known as the apostle of the poor. He declined the offer of the title of Bishop of Cochin. He died in 1961 and was buried in St. Lawrence Church, Edakochi.^[3] He was declared Servant of God (the first stage towards canonisation) by Bishop Joseph Kariyil^[1] and is venerated locally.^[4] There is a small museum dedicated to him adjacent to the church.^[5]

Brief History[edit]

Monsignor Lawrence Puliyanath was born on 8th August 1898, to the couple of Maria and Peter, of the Puliyanath family, in Mundamveli. He had his primary education at St.Louis School, Mundamveli in western Cochin, and, his High School education was at St.Joseph’s High school, Thriuchirappily, TamilNadu. His Seminary life commenced from Alappuzha Seminary and continued, at the Kandy Papal Seminary in Cylon (Sri Lanka) from where he attained doctorate in both Philosophy, and, Theology. He was ordained priest on 3rd October 1926. There upon, he began his apostolic Mission for the poor. His ardent love for mankind was touched by all the people, the rich, the poor, and, the nonbeliever. His Holiness Pious the XIIth conferred on him “Domestic Prelete” on 7th March 1951. Thirty three years of his service was divided, as a professor of Philosophy in Alappuzha Seminary, as a Co-Vicar and later Forane Vicar in the parish of St. Lawrence Church, South Edakochi. Thus he served the society at large. Steps were taken in Rome, to promote him, as the first local Bishop in the Diocese of Cochin. But he reclined such a high title and remained humble and simple. By this deed he showed mankind that he was deeply human and yet deeply attached to God. His strong and great belief in God was, a source of inspiration and that made him to take the right decisions at the difficult time too. Bishops, priests, the down-trodden, and the ordinary too, came to him, seeking advice and help. He was sick, and suffered great pain without minimum hesitation and offered it to God, for the poor. This great saintly soul left for his heavenly abode to his “Great love”, Jesus, on 20th of February 1961. To the tomb, where his mortal remains in Edakochi, St. Lawrence, thousands of people from all spheres of life reach, to pay homage and receive blessings, which are beyond human attainments.^[6]

St Lawrence Church Edacochin[edit]

St Sebastian's Church Edacochin - Tomb Of Msgr Lawrence Puliyanath[edit]

St Sebastian's Church Edacochin is also a Shrine Of Msgr Lawrence Puliyanath, the servant of God whose mortal remains have been buried in this church. The church is also a historical heritage site as it was a church which was built under the Propaganda during Padroado - Propaganda Schism .

Feast day is on February 20,celebrated every year with solemn mass by the bishop of cochin followed by great meal provided irrespective religion.

LITURGICAL TIMINGS
DAY	TIME	SERVICE
THURSDAY	10.00	HOLY MASS,NOVENA,ADORATION,MEAL
THURSDAY	06.00	HOLY MASS,NOVENA,ADORATION,MEAL

^[7]

Location[edit]

India / Ernakulam / Edakochi

Place :	Edakochi
PIN Code[edit]	682010[edit]
District :	Ernakulam
Tehsil/ Taluka :	Kochi
State :	Kerala
Latitude :	9.9164074
Longitude :	76.291347
Nearest Railway :	Kumbalam
Nearest Airport:	Cochin International Airport Kochi^[8]