In the history of Christianity, monasteries played a key role in disseminating knowledge and the Benedictine monks took the leadership in educating the German inhabitants who embraced Christian religion. The monastic leadership also included introducing new liturgical practices, popularising innovative ideas in agriculture, farming and venturing into new food and cuisine. Monte Cassino, the Mother House of the Benedictines and the Western monasticism, always played a major role in determining the destiny of the Western Church. Mannanam, the Monte Cassino of India, the Beth Rauma, the house on the hill top, gave leadership to the St Thomas Christians in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. With the establishment of the Mannanam Monastery in 1831, the fathers from Mannanam took over the spiritual and the intellectual leadership of the St Thomas Christians. A humble attempt is made in the following lines to bring to light the treasures of the Mannanam Archives, especially in the Portuguese, Latin and Italian languages.
Portuguese Collections in St Kuriakose Elias Chavara Archives and Research Centre, Mannanam Portuguese Collections in St Kuriakose Elias Chavara Archives and Research Centre, Mannanam
Latin and Italian Rare Collections in St Kuriakose Elias Chavara Archives and Research CentreLatin and Italian Rare Collections in St Kuriakose Elias Chavara Archives and Research Centre
