"Perfectae Caritatis", The Decree of Vatican Council II on the renewal of religious life, clearly states the spirit of religious life as follows: " Under the impulse of love, which the Holy Spirit pours into their hearts (cf. Rom 5:5), they live more and more for Christ and for His Body, the Church (Cf. Col 1: 24)."{Perfectae Caritatis no.1}. It is evident that the mind of the Church is reflected in this statement. Basing on this central theme, the document explicitly explicates the various dimensions of religious life and the significance of such a pattern in Christian life to enliven the spirit of Christ in the Church. The Council Fathers view the activities of the religious as the externalization of Love that is to permeate through the hearts and minds of all the faithful.

                    Jesus, the manifestation of the Divine Love and Concern for humanity, entrusted His disciples with the mission of the Gospel. Carrying the message of consolation, they journeyed to the ends of the earth and spread it among the nations.
As part and parcel of the Church, each Christian shares in this mission of Christ; for, the Church is the Mystical Body of Christ. "The Church is both visible and spiritual, a hierarchical society and the mystical body of Christ. She is one, yet formed of two components, human and Divine. That is Her mystery, which only faith can accept (ccc n.779)."

                     In the light of this teaching, the different activities of the Church are understood as the earthly attempts with all the human qualities, both positive and negative, in response to the Divine initiation and bestowal of grace. God extends His saving hands and man dutifully responds to it. This is the epitome of the salvation history. Every man is invited to take part in it. But some are especially chosen and set apart for doing the work of God tangibly in the society where they live through their prayers and missions in a fervent manner.

                      Religious members find the meaning of their life in this setting apart. "The members of each institute, therefore, ought to seek God before all else and solely; they should join contemplation, by which they cleave to God mind and heart, to apostolic love, by which they endeavour to be associated with the work of redemption and to spread the kingdom of God"{Perfectae Caritatis n. 5}.
   
                     The once vast Diocese of Cochin - the Mother Diocese of India - which extended from Ceylon (Sri Lanka) down south and stretching on the east to the north encompassing the present Bangaladesh and beyond to Burma, Hong Kong and Macao, never had a Diocesan Congregation until 1945. That year, the last Portuguese Padroado Bishop, Rt. Rev. Dr. Jose Vieira Alvarnaz, established the Congregation of the Visitation Sisters but its existence was short-lived as the dismembering of the Diocese in 1952 dislodged and deposited it in the new Diocese of Alleppey. Ever since, the Mother Diocese had been straggling along, hapless and heavy of heart in the matter of a Diocesan Congregation for more than a quarter of a century.

                     Today there are altogether 48 religious Congregations in the Diocese of Cochin. The charity they do here is really great. When Bishop Kureethara invited these Congregations into his Diocese, he had in his mind the pathetic life situations of his flock. The backwardness the Latin Community suffered was in every sphere such as education, health, economic and social fields etc. By their dedicated efforts and unselfish service, the Religious Congregations in the Diocese of Cochin have tried their best to eradicate that backwardness of the people.
   
                     These Congregations have varied versions regarding the ways through which the will of God works. In general, each Congregation is the manifestation of the providence of God understood in a wider perspective concerning the spread of His kingdom. Different religious Congregations that are extending their selfless service today in the Diocese of Cochin themselves are the concretions of the graces showered by the Almighty.

                    It is easy to recognize the fact that Bishop Kureethara was the Channel through which these graces flowed to "the last, the least and the lost" in every sense. Trusting fully in the Providence of God, His Excellency Bishop Kureethara plunged into the uncertainties of life. God, the Father, well pleased with the courage, confidence and commitment of Bishop Kureethara, showered on him and his Diocese abundant blessings. The adventurous attempts he initiated on all round development of the Diocese proved that he was holding firmly on to the logo 'Caritas Christi Urget Nos' he received on the occasion of his Episcopal ordination. A shepherd truly stirred by the love of God and the love of people, indeed, was Bishop Joseph Kureethara.