Fr. Thomas Joseph, SJwas born on 4th April 1947, to Mr. Devasia Joseph and Mrs. Thresiamma Joseph in Edathua, Kerala. He joined the Novitiate in Sitagarha on 5th July 1965. He was ordained on 24th April 1980 in his home parish, Pacha, in Kerala.
After tertianship, he was appointed to the Primary Teachers’ Training Institute, Sitagarha. He was the director of the Dalit centre at Tarwa. When the Province decided to start a University College in Mahuadanr he was sent there to put up the college building, which he executed with meticulous planning and supervision.
“Thomas Joseph could analyse a situation threadbare and see the various nuances and articulate clearly. He could speak up boldly and courageously his views,” recalls Fr. R C Chacko SJ. Sr. Alphonsa FCC recalls, “When I joined the FCC Hazaribag, Kochayan came to offer Holy Mass. I was touched by the way he celebrated the Holy Eucharist. He was a man of firm determination and deep conviction but at the same time a true brother and sincere friend to all”.
Sr. Theresita, Holy Cross, a cousin of Thomas Joseph, recalls that he always wanted the community to be a livable place for all. Sr. Josmi CMC, Provincial of CMC Hazaribagh province, says he was a person with intuition and insight, wisdom, and understanding. According to Fr. M K Jose SJ, Thomas Joseph was a strong headed Jesuit with a non-compromising approach to the values and principles he inherited. At the same time, he was a very warm friend to many.
Fr. Thomas Joseph developed breathing difficulty on 22nd April, 2021 and was taken to the ICU at Samford, Super Speciality Hospital, Ranchi as he had Covid-related pneumonia where he died on 29th April, 2021. His remains were laid to rest at St. Stanislaus College Sitagarha cemetery on the same day at 10.30 PM.
Shyju Thomas, SJ
