Euphrasia Eluvathingal was a Carmelite nun from Kerala, India, known as the Praying Mother for her constant prayer and warm care for others.
Life
Euphrasia was born in 1877 into a Syro-Malabar Catholic family in Kerala, India. From childhood she wished to give herself to God, and after overcoming her family’s opposition she entered the Congregation of the Mother of Carmel (CMC), which Saint Kuriakose Elias Chavara had helped to found.
In religious life she served as novice mistress, guiding young sisters, and as superior of the convent at Ollur. Though often ill, she was known for spending long hours in prayer before the Blessed Sacrament, and people called her the Praying Mother. Many came to her to ask for prayers and to find comfort.
She died at Ollur in 1952 and was canonized by Pope Francis in 2014.
Spirituality
Saint Euphrasia’s spirituality is intimacy with God in prayer. She remained long with the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Lord present in the Blessed Sacrament, and she shared the peace she found there with those around her. Her life shows that quiet prayer is itself a great service to the Church.
Reflection
Praying for someone in the middle of a busy day may look small, but it is a great act of love. Like Saint Euphrasia, will you think of one person who needs prayer today and entrust them to the Lord?