Father Paul Vadakel passed away on 8 October, 2020 at Christ Hall, Kozhikode, after a few months of agonizing struggle with life, at the ripe old age of 91.  He had spent 71 years in the Society of Jesus as a committed and dedicated son of St Ignatius. Fr Paul was born at Vadakara, a village near Koothattukulam. Fr. Mathew sdb, the only surviving member of the family of six siblings, had the unique privilege of officiating at his funeral Mass.

Fr Paul joined the Society in 1949 and was ordained in 1962. As a priest, he plunged deep into the pastoral and administrative services of the Society. All the posts he held in the Society, required real courage and determination. He was Provincial of Kerala Province for over six years. Whenever the Province was direly in need of combating any serious situation or facing a tricky problem, Fr Vadakel was there to shoulder the burden. This audacity to venture into challenging and risky situations seemed to be in his blood. The Society can never forget the services rendered by him for the development of St Xavier’s College, Thumba where he spent nearly 15 years, twice as Rector and Manager. He put heart and soul into developing this college into a centre of excellence. With proverbial courage and optimism and absolute trust in God, he was able to face problems that confronted him, whether at St Xavier’s College or in the Chirakkal mission. Facing challenges with courage was his forte. 

What he has been and what he did for Kerala Province will be marked in golden letters. He has left an indelible mark on all those who got a chance to work with him. The sweet memory of Fr Paul Vadakel will ever remain alive in our hearts and minds. 

• Joseph Edassery, SJ