The vision and activities of the Caritas Secular Institute, the first Secular Institute for the consecrated persons in Kerala
The Caritas Secular Institute, the first secular institute of consecrated life in Kerala, was founded on 13 May 1961 by the late Bishop Mar Thomas Tharayil of the Knanaya Catholic Archeparchy of Kottayam. The Apostolic Constitution Provida Mater Ecclesia and the Motu Proprio Primo Feliciter, issued by Pope Pius XII, inspired its establishment. With the approval of the Institute’s Constitution and Rules by the Apostolic See on 28 February 1963, it received a firm canonical and spiritual foundation for its life and mission.
Secular institutes are a distinctive gift of the Holy Spirit to the Church in the modern world. They offer a way of living a consecrated life at the very heart of the world, without withdrawing from it. The distinctive feature of this vocation is the commitment to the evangelical counsels of poverty, chastity, and obedience while actively participating in the ordinary circumstances of society and transforming one’s profession and daily life into a witness to the Kingdom of God.
Unlike members of traditional religious institutes, members of secular institutes do not withdraw from society to live in separate communities. Instead, they live their consecrated vocation through active involvement in family life, society, the workplace, and the various dimensions of human life.
Members of secular institutes embody Gospel values through their lives and become a living presence of Christ’s love and compassion in society. Like leaven working quietly within the dough, they contribute to the growth of the Kingdom of God through their dedicated service in various spheres of society.
The charism guiding the life and activities of the Caritas Secular Institute is ‘to help towards the realization of the Kingdom of God in this world, especially for the sick, poor, and the needy, with Christian love and compassion.’ Its motto, ‘Follow the truth in a spirit of charity,’ expresses the spiritual foundation of its mission.
Recognizing the needs of the times, members of Caritas serve in various fields, including healthcare, social service, education, faith formation, counselling, care for the elderly, community development, and pastoral ministry. At the heart of these ministries is a compassionate response to human suffering and the challenges of life, offering comfort and hope to those in need. Drawing on its 65 years of tradition and experience, the Caritas Secular Institute continues to advance in its mission, renewing itself in response to the changing needs of the times.
