Blessed Kunjachan was born on April 1, 1891, at Ramapuram in Kerala as the son of Itti Iype and Elishwa. He was named Augustin by his parents. After his primary education, he attended St. Ephrem High School, Mannanam. He acted as a role model for all his friends in the hostel. He was ordained president of Sodality because of his devotion to Mother Mary. Augustin was also at the forefront of piety.
Augustin entered the seminary after completing his school education in 1913. His minor seminary studies were in Changanacherry and he continued his studies at Major Seminary in Puthanpalli. He was a man of prayer. His classmates saw Augustin used to spend hours in the presence of the Divine Mercy praying for all. He was ordained as a priest on December 21, 1921 by Mar Thomas Kuryalassery. He performed the first Divine Sacrifice at his own parish, Ramapuram. He began his priestly ministry as Fr. Kokkatt’s assistant. Fr. Augustin took care of the Harijans and about 200 people became Christians through the meditation conducted by Fr.Hilarios at Ramapuram. Kunjachan worked day and night to raise them.
Kunjachan became a true disciple of Jesus who came to preach the gospel to the poor. He was interested in hearing the confession and preparing people for good death. Kunjachan wanted to live like the people he cared for. Hard work and poor diet made him sick. In 1961 he was treated at Ramapuram and later at Marygiri. Despite his illness, he never stopped meditating or praying. The Harijans frequently visited their sick shepherd.
On October 16, 1973, his spirit ascended to heaven. The next day his funeral was held at Ramapuram Church.” We are attending the funeral service of a saint. We have found a mediator in heaven” said Fr. Valerian CMI during Kunjachan’s funeral.
The process of beatification and canonization started on 11 August 1987 at Ramapuram, bestowing upon him the title, ‘Servant of God’. The ‘positio’ on the heroic practice of virtues of the saintly priest was approved by Pope John Paul II on 22 June 2004 and he was cleared ‘The Venerable’.