Claret Amaithiaham, Erachakulam

Claret Amaithiaham is located in a rural setting of Kanyakumari district. It is 25 kilometers away from Kanyakumari and 5 kilometes away from Nagercoil town. It was canonically erected as ‘Residence’ in the year 2017. It is now erected canonically to the status of ‘House’ on 16th October, 2020.

In 1988, in view of self sufficiency of the Province, 70 acres of rubber plantation at Surulacode and 49 acres of other arid land at Erachakulam were purchased in different times. The initiative to start an Ashram in Erachakulam land to integrate Indian spiritual tradition with Christian spirituality was another creative effort of our Province in its pastoral ministry. The foundation stone was laid by Fr. Vincent Anes CMF, then Provincial for Ashram on 26th March 2014 and it was inaugurated by him on 6th January 2016 and blessed by Most Rev. Peter Remigius, then Bishop of Kottar.

The newly built kitchen and the huts were blessed by Fr. S. Jesu Doss CMF, the Provincial Superior and Fr. A. Soosai Manickam CMF, the Prefect of Apostolate on 18th November 2016. Though this apostolate has not yet taken its full shape, the tiny seed is already shown and it has already sprouted. The coming few years will define the nature and fruitfulness of this ministry and its impact on the pastoral ministry of our Province. An initiative of starting a ICSE syllabus school is underway. The community has also initiated a program called ‘PAHIRVOM NAAM’ ‘Let us share’ on 19th July 2019, which gives noon and night meals to 20 poor, housebound people around Erachakulam area and another initiative is ‘NAMAKAHA NAAM’ ‘we are for us’ (4s) for Widows of Kanyakumari District to help improve their Economic situation by giving income generation opportunities and bring sustainability in their lives. At present there are 165 members enrolled and more to join.