Kurisumala AshramMonastery of Our Lady of Kurisumala

About us

Our Milestones

From a landing in Bombay in 1955 to an autonomous abbey of the Cistercian Order.

  1. 1955July

    Fr. Francis Acharya arrives in Bombay.

  2. 1955September

    Fr. Francis begins a year-long stay at Saccidananda Ashram (Shantivanam) in Tamil Nadu with its founders, Fr. Jules Monchanin and Fr. Henri Le Saux OSB.

  3. 1956November

    A small community is established at Pushpagiri, Tiruvalla, in the company of Fr. Bede Griffiths OSB, under the authority of Zacharias Mar Athanasios, Bishop of Tiruvalla.

  4. 1957November 3

    Mar Athanasios signs the Constitution establishing a contemplative monastery sui iuris in the Syro-Malankara Catholic Church.

  5. 1958March 21

    Kurisumala Ashram is established at Vagamon.

  6. 1958September 14

    The Ashram church is consecrated and the first three novices are clothed in the monastic habit.

  7. 1968August 6

    Fr. Francis’s shashtiabdapurti is celebrated. He becomes an Indian citizen.

  8. 1968August 28

    Fr. Bede Griffiths departs from Kurisumala and takes charge of Shantivanam Ashram.

  9. 1996October

    In the company of Geevarghese Mar Timotheos, Bishop of Tiruvalla, Fr. Francis attends the Cistercian (Trappist) General Chapter held in Rome. He makes a request for the incorporation of Kurisumala Ashram into the Order.

  10. 1998July 9

    Official incorporation of Kurisumala Ashram into the Cistercian Order, O.C.S.O.

  11. 1999October 14

    Fr. Francis is blessed as Abbot.

  12. 2002January 31

    Fr. Francis departs to the heavenly homeland.

  13. 2002March 20

    Fr. Yesudas is blessed as the second Abbot of Kurisumala.

  14. 2014April 7

    Fr. Ishanand is blessed as the third Abbot of Kurisumala.