175th Anniversary of the Claretian Congregation Celebrated with Solemnity in Karumathur, Madurai.

175th Anniversary of the Claretian Congregation Celebrated with Solemnity in Karumathur, Madurai.

On August 10, 2024, the Claretian communities marked the 175th anniversary of their congregation’s foundation with a grand celebration at St. Claret’s Higher Secondary School in Karumathur. The event, which gathered Claretians from Madurai, Dindigul, and Sambai parish was highlighted by a solemn Eucharistic celebration presided over by His Grace Antony Pappusamy, D.D., the Archbishop of Madurai.

The celebration was graced by the presence of neighboring priests, religious, well-wishers, school teachers and staff, as well as parishioners. The occasion began with a historical presentation of the congregation by Fr. L. Xavier, who recounted the legacy and mission of the Claretians over the past 175 years.

In his homily, Archbishop Antony Pappusamy emphasized the importance of proclaiming the Word of God, drawing parallels to the dedication shown by the congregation’s founder St. Antony Mary Claret. His words resonated with the assembly, reinforcing the core mission of the Claretians.

Fr. Michael Francis expressed his heartfelt gratitude to the Archbishop and all attendees, acknowledging their support and presence on this significant day. The celebration concluded with a delicious dinner, leaving all participants with fond memories of the milestone event. The day will undoubtedly remain a cherished moment in the history of the Claretian community. All superiors and community members worked together for the glorious event.

Reported by:
Fr. F. Lawrence Xavier Raj CMF