Our Founder
Little Flower Polytechnic, Gorakhpur
About Very Rev. Fr. Basilius Panat CST
Very Rev. Fr. Basilius Panat CST (born 15 February 1891 as Thomas Panat) was the founder of the Little Flower Congregation (CST Fathers). He was born at Kothanalloor in Kerala and was ordained a priest on 26 December 1918.
As parish priest of Mookkannur, he worked closely with poor villagers, orphans, and the marginalized. Inspired by the spirituality of Saint Thérèse of Lisieux, he founded the Little Flower Brotherhood on 19 March 1931 at Mookkannur, which later developed into the Little Flower Congregation (CST Fathers).
His vision was expressed through the congregation’s motto:
“Be Little and Serve the Little.”
Major Contributions
- Founded the Little Flower Congregation (CST Fathers) in 1931.
- Promoted education, orphan care, rural development, and social upliftment in Kerala.
- Reorganized the congregation in 1945 by admitting candidates for priesthood, leading to its growth as a clerical religious institute.
- Spread devotion to Saint Thérèse and encouraged missionary service among the poor.
Death
Fr. Basilius Panat was called to eternal rest on 4 October 1976. His mortal remains are buried at Mookkannur, Kerala.
Short Biography Paragraph
Very Rev. Fr. Basilius Panat CST (1891–1976), born Thomas Panat, was the founder of the Little Flower Congregation (CST Fathers). Inspired by the spirituality of Saint Thérèse of Lisieux, he established the congregation at Mookkannur, Kerala, in 1931 with the mission of serving the poor and marginalized. A visionary priest, educator, social reformer, and spiritual leader, he dedicated his life to rural development, orphan care, and priestly formation. His enduring legacy continues through the congregation’s motto, “Be Little and Serve the Little.”