Date of Birth                   :	20-10-1930
Joining the MCBS           :	10-06-1950
Religious Profession        :	13-05-1953
Priestly Ordination          :	12-03-1960
Death                             :	07-07-2007

Joseph  Kunnel  was  born  on  20th  October  1930  at Maniamkunnu in the Diocese of Pala. He was the eldest son of his parents John and Mariam Kunnel. He had his school education at Veilkanappara, Thidanad and Poonjar. He has had an inner inspiration from his younger days to be a priest and render service to the people. He joined the MCBS on 10th June 1950. He was sent to the diocesan Minor Seminary at Parel, Changanassery, for his study and formation. He had his novitiate from 15th May 1952. Fr. Romulus CMI has been his Novice Master. He made his religious profession on 13th May 1953. Then he was asked to do his major seminary studies and formation at Mangalapuzha Seminary, Aluva. He was ordained as priest on 12th March 1960.

As a priest, Fr. Joseph Kunnel had his first assignment as procurator at the Mother House, Kaduvakulam. After one year he was transferred to and appointed as the superior of Sophia Ashram, Chathenkottunada. While holding that position he was elected as Superior General of the MCBS in December 1965. Since he had not reached the stipulated canonical age, he had to wait for the special permission from higher authorities in Rome to take charge. In January 1966 he officially took charge as the Superior General of the MCBS.

Fr. Joseph Kunnel had been aware of the problems his predecessor had to confront, mainly, the younger generation was lacking in real religious spirit and they had no opportunities to give vent to their missionary aspirations. As superior general his primary effort was to remedy those problems. He wanted to be more attentive to the formation of the major seminarians. With this end in view he improved the facilities at the MCBS Study House by adding a floor to the existing building so that more seminarians could be accommodated. He shifted the residence of the superior general from the Mother House, Kaduvakulam, to MCBS Study House, Aluva, so that he could have better supervision over the formation of the seminarians. His next effort was to look out for opportunities for the younger generation of priests to work in the mission areas in North India. He, in person, visited the mission areas in the North-eastern states of Assam and Meghalaya, and also the Raigarh – Ambikapur Mission area for an on-the-spot study of the missionary activities in the Missions. Thus he was able to explain in detail the wonderful ministry and activities going on in the missions, and thus inspire the seminarians to be future missionaries. As a result, by April 1969, Fr. Kunnel was able to send three priests from the congregation as missionaries in the Raigarh-Ambikapur Mission. In May, the same year, two others were sent to the Mission in Assam-Meghalaya. During successive years more mcbs missionaries were sent to the North- eastern Mission. Here we can recall a saying by Pope Benedict XVI, “Both those who sent and those who are sent are missionaries.” Thus Fr. Joseph Kunnel became the first great mcbs missionary.

In 1969 the land at Podimattam, Kanjirappally, was purchased with the intention of putting up a study house for the college going members of the congregation. But later the intention was changed and the Novitiate House was constructed on that land. Fr. Joseph Kunnel wanted that the members of the congregation are better educated and hence he deputed more members for higher studies abroad and also in India. He took the initiative to renew and update the Constitution and Regulations of the MCBS in line with the documents of Vatican II, and appointed a committee to prepare a draft.

In 1971, as the term of his position as superior general, Fr. Kunnel expressed his to desire to go back to Sophia Ashram and continue ministry there. He took the initiative to start the A. J. John Memorial High School which has been instrumental to provide quality education to the boys and girls of the area. Later on he volunteered to be involved in pastoral ministry in the diocese of Mananthavady, and he served as Parish Priest in the parishes of Manimooly and Ambayathode. By 1987 he has been experiencing certain health issues due to diabetes and he decided to return to Sophia Ashram and continue as a member of the house. In 1995 he moved to the MCBS Generalate, Chunangamvely, for rest and medical treatment. All through those years of rest and relaxing Fr. Kunnel has been very particular to spend long hours in personal prayer enjoying the presence of the Eucharistic Lord.

As he had opted for Emmaus Province, in 2000 he moved to Emmaus Provincial House, Kaduvakulam. He has been having regular medical check-up and treatment at S. H. Medical Centre. He continued his practice of personal prayer before Eucharistic Jesus. On 29th June 2007 he was admitted to the S. H. Medical Centre for a check-up and treatment for certain heart related ailments. By 3rd July his health condition became worse and he was administered the Sacrament of Anointing. On 7th July 2007, at 1:30 in the afternoon, Fr. Joseph Kunnel breathed his last in the Lord.

The funeral service for Joseph Kunnel was on 9th July 2007 at the Emmaus Provincial House, Kaduvakulam. The service commenced with the concelebrated Holy Mass, officiated by Bishop Thomas Elevanal MCBS, assisted by the major superiors and many members of the congregation and attended by many religious sisters, laity, friends and relatives. Fr. Thomas Edayal MCBS preached the homily, highlighting the life and service of Fr. Kunnel.

As a religious priest and a major superior Fr. Joseph Kunnel has been respectful and dignified in his relationship with the members. He gave due importance to the values of priestly and religious life. He strived to live exemplary religious life. He administered the community with insight and foresight.

Fr. Cyriac Kottayarikil MCBS