Fr. Thomas Vattakunnel,breathed his last on 26th December 2021, at Christ Hall, Kozhikode.
Fr. Thomas was born at Kanjirapally in Kottayam district on 9th July, 1928. He joined the Jesuit Novitiate at Shembaganur in 1950. In between the priestly formation, he pursued his studies in Malayalam and French. He was ordained priest on 24th March 1963 and made his final commitment in 1968.
Fr. Thomas was interested in education and spent many years in various Jesuit institutions teaching French and Malayalam. He spent 10 years at St. Xavier’s College, Thumba, where he taught both the languages and served the institution as its Principal. Many ministries he embarked upon included formation, teaching, translations, pastoral care, missionary interventions, socio cultural activities, agricultural farm care and house administration.
Fr. Thomas was a very genuine and affectionate person despite his occasional outbursts. Many people could experience his love and care, and he always had a special love for the poor.
What made Fr. Thomas unique was his ability to combine love for the earth and the poor with academic pursuits. He was well versed in Malayalam, English, Tamil, Sanskrit and French. Even when he was physically weak and sickly, he could complete the translation of the Jesuit supplement of the Latin Missal into Malayalam. He kept his passion for languages alive with his daily reading of the Bible in different languages.
Fr. Pedro Arrupe, the then Superior General, on the occasion of the Golden Jubilee of Fr. Thomas’ Jesuit life, wrote: “Fr. Thomas Vattakunnel, you have inspired many by your hard physical and intellectual work and your simple and disciplined life. As a pastor, you are tender-hearted and compassionate. You upheld values of discipline, hard work, honesty and transparency and were available to the Church and the Society.”
Wilson Mulackal, SJ
