FR JACOB KUZHIKKATTIL

Date of Birth: 10-04-1863

Priestly Ordination: 17-02-1901

Joining the Congregation: 01-03-1934

Religious Profession: 15-08-1937

Death: 27-01-1960

Jacob, dearly called as Chakochen, was born on April 10, 1983 at Elanji. His parents were Mathew and Anna Kuzhikkattil. Following his early education under a village teacher he was sent to the Boarding school at Vazhakkulam for further education. As he felt being called to be a priest and serve the people, he joined the seminary at Mannanam. On completion of his studies and formation he was ordained as priest on February 17, 1901. He celebrated his First Holy Mass on 28th February 1901 in the monastery chapel at Mannanam.

Fr. Jacob Kuzhikkattil started his priestly ministry as assistant parish priest at Athirampuzha, Kuravilangad and Muttuchira. Then he was made parish priest and served in the parishes like Sraikunnam, Thekkumbhagam, Kakkoor and Mulakkulam. He has been a joyful and humble priest and was liked by everyone. He used to give primary importance to the spiritual welfare of parishioners. He strived to build up true unity and overcome all kinds of divisive tendencies in the parishes. He did pay special attention to the poor and strive to help them as best as he could.

While serving at Mulakkulam as parish priest he became very sickly and was forced to withdraw from active ministry. He desired to spend rest of his time for personal prayer and deep meditation. Fr. Joseph Paredom and Fr. Kuzhikkattil had been good friends as they were from neighbouring parishes. Fr. Kuzhikkattil enquired about the possibility of joining the newly founded congregation, and he was welcome. Fr. Jacob Kuzhikkattil joined the MCBS on 1st March 1934. He had his novitiate and made his religious profession on 15th August 1937.

As a religious Fr. Jacob enjoyed celebrating daily Holy Eucharist very devoutly and spending long hours before the Eucharistic Lord. As a joyful person he always enjoyed community life. He has been very simple and humble, and he never aspired for any prominent positions. He has been very earnest in fulfilling the tasks entrusted to him. He has been very obedient and trustworthy. For health reasons he would decline holding responsible positions in the community. But he would be ready to be at the service of the community even in little things.

As he advanced in age he turned out to be somewhat scrupulous about spiritual practices and happened to be suffering from dementia. He stopped celebrating Holy Mass, but continued receiving Holy Communion. When his health condition worsened he was administered the sacrament of anointing. He breathed his last in the Lord on 27th January 1960. His funeral was at Little Flower Church, Kaduvakulam. The service was officiated by Mar Mathew Kavukatt of Changanaserry on the following day. The service was attended by the members of the congregation, his friends and relatives. The funeral homily was preached by Rev. Fr. Cyriac Thuruthumalil.

Fr. Jacob Kuzhikkattil has been exemplary for his deep devotion to the Holy Eucharist, love for the poor and downtrodden, life of simplicity and obedience.

Fr. Cyriac Kottayarikil MCBS

കുഴിക്കാട്ടിൽ ബഹു ചാക്കോച്ചൻ

ജനനം: 10-04-1863
പൗരോഹിത്യ സ്വീകരണം: 17-02-1901
സഭാ പ്രവേശനം: 01-03-1934
പ്രഥമ വ്രതവാഗ്ദാനം: 15-08-1937
മരണം: 27-01-1960
ഇടവക : പാലാ രൂപതയിലെ ഇലഞ്ഞി

ദരിദ്രർക്ക് സദ് വാർത്ത അറിയിക്കാൻ വന്ന ഈശോയെപ്പോലെ പാവങ്ങളുടെ കാര്യത്തിൽ വളരെ തൽപരനായിരുന്നു ചാക്കോച്ചൻ. ലളിത ജീവിതം നയിക്കുവാനും കൈവശം വന്നിരുന്ന അവസാനത്തെ തുട്ടുവരെ പാവങ്ങൾക്ക് ദാനം ചെയ്യുവാനും ആണ് അദ്ദേഹം ആഗ്രഹിച്ചത്.

ദിവ്യകാരുണ്യ നാഥനോടുള്ള വ്യക്തിപരമായ സ്നേഹം
ലളിത ജീവിതം
പാവങ്ങളോടുള്ള താല്പര്യം
അനുസരണം
ത്യാഗ സന്നദ്ധത തുടങ്ങിയ സുകൃതങ്ങൾ ബഹുമാനപ്പെട്ട കുഴിക്കാട്ടിൽ ചാക്കോച്ചനിൽ നിന്ന് നാം പഠിക്കേണ്ടതാണ്.