Mariamma (Sr. Coletha) was born on 13th March 1904, as the third child of Joseph and Annamma Arampulickal at Cherpumkal in the diocese of Pala. At the age of nine, the girl lost her mother. As she was the eldest, this nine year old girl was forced to take over the heavy responsibility of the family. Consequently she could not continue her studies. She would constantly pray, ‘Jesus, make me too your bride’. Her desire was to become a Carmelite nun. But she was disturbed that her studies would not be enough to become a nun. At the age of fourteen, Mariamma began to have marriage proposals. When she realized that things were going against her plan, she asked her father to allow her to finish seventh grade and to become a nun. She restarted her studies at Cherpunkal School and successfully completed seventh class at the age of twenty one. Mariamma who dreamed of becoming a Carmelite nun entered the teaching profession at Maniyamkunnu, with the Clarist sisters in 1931 quite unexpectedly.

The life style and the simplicity of the Clarist sisters ignited the zeal for love of God in Mariamma. Inspired by the Franciscan spirit, she joined the Clarist convent at Maniyamkunnu and she had her vestition on 11th September 1933 with the new name Sr. Coletha. Her first profession was on 12th August 1937 and final vows on 27th December 1938 and she dedicated herself completely to Jesus, the heavenly bridegroom. Sr. Euphrasia of the Carmelite Congregation, who later became a saint was her classmate when she was doing TTC in the Training School at Mutholy in 1941. The essence of the Franciscan way of life, such as humility, simplicity of life, sense of poverty was illumined in her life. She loved God and man sincerely with childlike innocence and purity of heart. Mother Coletha, who was suffering from various health problems was given prolonged treatments, but it was not effective. In 1942 the doctors diagnosed that she was a victim of tuberculosis. According to the doctor’s suggestion, Mother Coletha was isolated from the community for treatment as it was a contagious disease. It was painful for both Mother Coletha and the community to accommodate her alone, away from the loving community and from the Chapel, and to live without having the presence of the Holy Eucharist. Yet, she calmly surrendered to God’s will seeing good in everything. Mother Coletha was brought back in 1952 to a new house built for the sick adjacent to the Convent after her long stay of 10 years alone in a house. Even though she had been a terminally ill patient from the age of thirty eight, she died unexpectedly at the age of eighty with a sudden seizure while reciting the regular prayers and her soul flew calmly to the Lord on 18th December 1984.

Her body was buried in a new tomb in the cemetery of the parish church at Maniyamkunnu in the presence of many priests and a large crowd on 19th December 1984.10 Fr. Joseph Kappiliparambil, the vicar suggested that no one else should be buried in this tomb. The spiritual fragrance of Mother Coletha’s virtuous life was not confined to Maniyamkunnu alone. Many reached at her tomb to pray for her intercession, as if the Lord Jesus had decided to make the bride more honourable after her death, who had gladly accepted the sufferings on account of her boundless love for Jesus. Numerous blessings have been flowing down to their lives through her intercession.

Mar Joseph Kallarangat, Bishop of the diocese of Pala had requested the Syro-Malabar Synod to submit the application to initiate the beatification process of Sr. Coletha to the Sacred Congregation for the Cause of Saints. The Synod which convened in August 2019 approved it after a long discussion and study11. Fr. Cherian Thunduparampil C. M. I. was appointed Postulator and Sr. Ancilia ( BHM ) the Vice- Postulator. The first report regarding the commencement of the beatification process was sent to Rome by the commission appointed for it. The initial steps towards the canonization of respected Mother Coletha are now in progress.