aThe Sixth Anniversary of the canonization of St Josemaría Escrivá, the founder of Opus Dei, was celebrated in a very special way in Kottayam, Kerala on Monday, 6 October 2008. On that day a statue of the saint was unveiled for the veneration of the faithful and the Malayalam version of The Way (“Divyapatha”) was released.

The statue was installed in the chapel of Chaithanya, the Pastoral Centre of the Archdiocese of Kottayam. Sculpted by T.J. Vincent, from Trichur in polychrome plaster of Paris, it stands at approximately 140cm in height.

The ceremony was presided over by Mar Kuriakose Kunnacherry, Archbishop Emeritus of Kottayam, accompanied by Mar Matthew Moolakatt and Mar Joseph Pandarasserril, Archbishop and Auxiliary Bishop of Kottayam respectively.

Following the installation of the statue, a Eucharistic Concelebration in the Syro-Malabar Rite took place. Several of the 20 concelebrants are former students of the Pontifical University of the Holy Cross, a corporate undertaking of the Prelature of Opus Dei. This institution was inspired by the apostolic impulse of St Josemaría and his desires to serve the Church.

After the Holy Mass, the first edition of The Way in Malayalam was launched in the auditorium of the Pastoral Centre. This is the second book of St Josemaría to be translated to Malayalam. The Way of the Cross (“Kristu Pathā”) was published in January 2006. Mar Kunnachery said he looked forward to the translation of other books of the founder of Opus Dei, especially The Forge and Furrow. Archbishop Mar Mathew Moolakkatt emphasized the importance of the message of St Josemaría for ordinary life.

The session was concluded by Sr Deepa, SJC who did the translation. She said that, in spite of the job being long and difficult, the task of translation was nevertheless gratifying and helped her to grow in devotion to St Josemaría.