(27 December 1799 – 8 January 1846)

Fr. Thomas Porukara, Co-Founder of CMI Congregation and the Patron of Fr. Porukara CMI Group of Institutions, Champakulam was born on 27 December 1799 in Parukara family, Champakulam. He was ordained on 22 September 1823 at the age of 23 and was first appointed to his home parish, Champakulam. His abiding Interest in silence and prayer prompted him to work for the foundation of the first indigenous religious congregation of India, Carmelites of Mary Immaculate (CMI) cooperating with Fr. Thomas Palackal and St. Kuriakose Elias Chavara in the year of 1831. He was called to eternal rest on 8th January 1846 and was buried in Mannanam.