“SREEMARYVIJAYAM’’ is a ‘Mahakavyam’(epic) in Malayalam composed by Vidwan Rev. Fr. Scaria Koorkamattam. It is a vivid narration of the life of Holy Mary, the Mother of God. ‘The Mahakavyam’ begins with the description of Paradise and continues to give a narrative description of the life of Mary on earth and her assumption into heaven. The author emphsises the role of Mary in the redemption of mankind by Jesus Christ. There are 24 ‘sargams’ and 1800 ‘slokams’ in the Mahakavyam.

This Mahakavyam gives us a beautiful picture of Mary. The book illustrates that the author had a deep knowledge of Mariology and teachings of the Fathers of the Church. It was written around 1945. Perhaps this is the first Mahakavyam written on Mary the Mother of God.

Vidwan Rev. Fr. Scaria Koorkamattam was born in the year 1890 and was ordained a Catholic priest of Changanacherry diocese in 1943. Due to health reasons he remained a Deacon for a long period. After his ordination he did his priestly ministries at Champakulam and Mannarappara(St. Xavier’s church, Mannarappara, Kuruppumthara) parishes. He died on July 5, 1948 while serving at Mannarappara parish. His tomb remains at Paduva St. Antony’s church, diocese of Palai.

Rev. Fr. Scaria Koorkamattam was a fervent devotee of Mary the Mother of God. In his early childhood he lost his mother and it may be the reason why he accepted Mary as his own mother. It was reported that he died due to heart arrest while he was praying Rosary sitting on a chair in his room.

The manuscript of the Mahakavyam was entrusted to Rev. Fr. Laethus C.M.I., the chief editor of ‘Kudumbadeepam’ the then leading monthly. Fr. Laethus died many years ago. Later an attempt was made to discover the manuscript; but it was no avail. Surprisingly, Dr. M. Mathai who was doing research on the passion of Christ, happened to trace it at the library of late Sri. M.O. Joseph Nedumkunnam. an historian and writer. Dr. M. Mathai, after his study, entrusted it to Rev. Fr. George Choorakatt, a family member of Rev. Fr. Scaria Koorkamattam. He has taken the initiative and pains to publish the book.

The Book also contains the message of Mar Josph Kallarangatt , Bishop of Palai , foreword by Dr. K.V. Joseph, an introduction and a short life history of the author by the publisher Rev. Fr. George Choorakatt, a short narration about the content of the Mahakavyam by Sri. Varghese Kanjirathumkal and an elaborate ‘Tippani’ by Dr. K.V. Joseph. The book has 365 pages, printed at Boys Town press, Palai. Rs. 150/- is its price and is available at St. Thomas Book Stall, St. Thomas Press, Palai-686 575, Kottayam, Kerala.