Congregation
The Little Flower Congregation (CST Fathers) was founded on 19 March 1931 at Mookkannur, Kerala, by Very Rev. Fr. Thomas Panat, later known as Fr. Basilius CST, with the permission of Mar Augustine Kandathil, the Archbishop of Ernakulam. It began as the Little Flower Brotherhood, a society of religious brothers inspired by the spirituality of St. Thérèse of Lisieux.
In 1945, the congregation was reorganized as a clerical religious institute to admit candidates for the priesthood. The Constitution of the reorganized congregation was approved on 8 October 1947. The first seminary was established in 1948, and the first priests were ordained in 1956.
Driven by a missionary spirit, the congregation expanded its apostolate beyond Kerala, beginning mission work in North India in 1969. Over the years, its ministries spread across several dioceses in India and later to Nepal, Papua New Guinea, Africa, Europe, North America, and Australia.
A significant milestone came on 8 December 1978 when the congregation was canonically divided into two autonomous bodies: the clerical section, known as the Little Flower Congregation (CST Fathers), and the lay section, the Congregation of St. Therese.
The congregation was granted Pontifical Right by Pope St. John Paul II in 1995, recognizing its growth and service to the universal Church. As the congregation continued to expand, it was reorganized into four provinces: St. Thomas Province, St. Joseph Province, Khrist Jyoti Province, and Little Flower Province.
Today, the CST Fathers continue the vision of Fr. Basilius CST through pastoral ministry, education, social service, missionary outreach, and evangelization, serving the Church in India and across the world.
St. Thérèse of Lisieux – Patroness of the Little Flower Congregation (CST Fathers)
St. Thérèse of Lisieux (1873–1897), lovingly known as the “Little Flower,” is the heavenly patroness of the Little Flower Congregation (CST Fathers). Her life of simplicity, humility, and complete trust in God continues to inspire the Congregation's mission and spirituality.
Born in France, Thérèse entered the Carmelite convent at the age of fifteen and dedicated her life to prayer, sacrifice, and love for God. Though she never performed extraordinary works in the eyes of the world, she taught a profound path to holiness known as the “Little Way”—doing ordinary things with extraordinary love and trusting completely in God’s mercy.
The founder of the Congregation, Servant of God Fr. Basilius Panat CST, was deeply inspired by the life and teachings of St. Thérèse. Her spirituality became the guiding force behind the establishment of the Little Flower Congregation in 1931. The Congregation’s commitment to serving the poor, educating the young, and spreading the Gospel reflects her spirit of humble and loving service.
As patroness of the CST Fathers, St. Thérèse continues to guide and inspire every member to live a life of faith, simplicity, compassion, and missionary zeal. Her message remains timeless: great holiness is achieved through small acts of love offered to God.
“My vocation is love.” — St. Thérèse of Lisieux
Feast Day: 1 October
Patroness of: Missions, Missionaries, and the Little Flower Congregation (CST Fathers)
Our Founder & Inspiration
Servant of God Very Rev. Fr. Basilius Panat CST (1891–1976)
Servant of God Very Rev. Fr. Basilius Panat CST, born Thomas Panat, is the Founder of the Little Flower Congregation (CST Fathers). A visionary priest, spiritual leader, and compassionate servant of the poor, he founded the Congregation in response to God’s call and the needs of society, inspired by the Gospel and the spirituality of St. Thérèse of the Child Jesus, the Little Flower.
Born on 15 February 1891 at Kothanalloor, Kerala, Fr. Basilius was ordained a priest on 26 December 1918. During his pastoral ministry, particularly at Mookkannur and the Sacred Heart Orphanage, he encountered the struggles of the poor, the abandoned, and the marginalized. These experiences, together with his deep faith and devotion to St. Thérèse, shaped the vision that would eventually become the Little Flower Congregation.
While translating portions of St. Thérèse’s autobiography into Malayalam, Fr. Basilius became profoundly inspired by her “Little Way” of simplicity, humility, and complete trust in God. Desiring to share this spirituality with others, he founded the Little Flower Brotherhood (Cherupushpa Sahodara Sangham) on 19 March 1931 at Mookkannur. The movement later evolved into the Little Flower Congregation, which was formally reorganized as a clerical religious institute in 1945.
Guided by the Gospel command, “Go and do likewise” (Luke 10:37), Fr. Basilius dedicated his life to forming priests, educating the young, caring for the poor, and spreading the message of Christ’s love. His vision continues to inspire the CST Fathers in their ministries of evangelization, education, social service, and missionary outreach across India and beyond.
Fr. Basilius entered eternal rest on 4 October 1976, but his legacy lives on through the Congregation he founded and the countless lives touched by his spirit of faith, humility, and selfless service.
Founder, Visionary, and Inspiration — Fr. Basilius Panat CST remains the guiding light of the Little Flower Congregation.
Milestones
in the
Life of
our
Founder
Very Rev. Fr. Basilius Panat CST
- Name & Family Name: Thomas Panat
- Parish: Chalil, Cherthala
- Born: 15 February 1891
- Baptism: 22 February 1891
- Death: 04 October 1976
General Administration 2021 - 2027
Very Rev. Fr. Dr. Jojo Varakukalayil CST
Superior General
Phone: 9495****99
Email: varakoocst@gmail.com
(Religious Discipline, Formation and General Administration)
Very Rev. Fr. George Aranchery CST
Vicar General
Phone: 8301****38
Email: g.aranchery@gmail.com
(Department of Evangelization and Pastoral Ministry)
Rev. Fr. John Kapiarumalayil CST
General Councillor
Phone: 9461****51
Email: jkapiarumala@gmail.com
(Department of Social Apostolate)
Rev. Fr. Anish Angadiath CST
General Councillor
Phone: 9605****38
Email: anishacst@gmail.com
(Department of Education)
Rev. Fr. Jeevan Thundiyil CST
General Councillor
Phone: 9447****90
Email: jeevanthundiyil@gmail.com
(Department of Finance)
Rev. Fr. Tiyo Kochukavumpurath CST
General Auditor and Archivist
Phone: 8696****89
Email: tiyocst@gmail.com
Bishops from Little Flower Congregation ( CST Fathers)
Eparchy of Gorakhpur
Most Rev. Bishop Dominic Kokkat CST
Most Rev. Bishop Dominic Kokkat CST
Date of Birth: 23 February 1932
Feast Day: 08 August
Religious Profession: 18 May 1953
Priestly Ordination: 04 October 1960
Episcopal Ordination: 04 October 1984
Death Anniversary: 25 January 2026
Episcopal Motto: “God is my Light and my Salvation”
Most Rev. Bishop Thomas Thuruthimattam CST
Date of Birth: 22 April 1947
Feast Day: 03 July
Religious Profession: 17 May 1965
Priestly Ordination: 21 December 1973
Episcopal Ordination: 01 October 2006
Episcopal Motto: “Liberated Human is the Manifest Glory of God”
Email: bpthomascst@gmail.com
Most Rev. Bishop Dr. Mathew Nellikunnel CST
Date of Birth: 13 November 1970
Feast Day: 21 September
Religious Profession: 17 May 1990
Priestly Ordination: 30 December 1998
Episcopal Ordination: 05 November 2023
Episcopal Motto: “Become All for All” (1 Corinthians 9:22)
Email: bpmathewnellikunnelcst@gmail.com