FR. SEBASTIAN PARATHANAM

Date Birth: 04-12-1936

Joining the MCBS: 16-06-1957

Religious Profession: 19-05-1959

Priestly Ordination: 16-12-1967

Death : 03-08-2011

Sebastian was born on 4th December 1936 in the St. Thomas Parish Vellapally, Punnathura, in the Archdiocese of Changanassery. His parents were Cherian and Mary Parathanam, and he was baptised on 8th December 1936. He had his primary education at St. Thomas School, and high school studies at St. Joseph’s High School, Punnathura. He did have hard time pursuing his studies. Early on he has been cherishing the desire to be a missionary priest. After his successful completion of high school studies he joined the Holy Ghost Minor Seminary, Kaduvakulam, on 16th June 1957. Incidentally, 1957-58 has been the Silver Jubilee Year of the foundation of the MCBS. The establishing of a Minor Seminary has been a silver jubilee memorial of the MCBS, and it functioned at the Mother House in the first year. Sebastian Parathanam has been among the first batch of seminarians in the Minor Seminary.

After the first year they had their their novitiate. Bro. Parathanam joined the 6th batch of the mcbs novices on 18th May 1958. Fr. George Kanatt was their Novice Master. Along with the batch mates Bro. Sebastian Parathanam made his first Religious Profession on 19th May 1959. Then he continued his studies in the Minor Seminary, which was by then shifted to Lisieux Ashram, Athirampuzha. In June 1961 he started his major seminary formation at MCBS Study House, Karukunnu, pursuing the study of Philosophy at Carmelgiri Seminary and Theology at Mangalapuzha Seminary. Sebastian Parathanam was ordained as priest on 16th December 1967 by Archbishop Joseph Parekkattil of Ernakulam.

Early on Fr. Sebastian Parathanam has been very much interested in priestly ministry, and got himself prepared to preach retreats. He started giving retreats in the parishes and communities of religious sisters even before his first appointment as a staff member at the Minor Seminary, Lisieux Ashram, Athirampuzha, in May 1968. After one year he was transferred to St. Thomas Villa Kombayar. After two years he was asked to serve as Vice-rector at MCBS Study House, Karukunnu. In 1973 he was given an opportunity to participate in a four month Formatters’ Training Course at NVSC, Pune. On 1st May 1974 he was appointed as the Novice Master at Podimattam, Kanjirapally. He served as novice master till June 1978. During those years he strived his best to instil into the lives of the future members the ideals, values and attitudes of religious life and charism of the congregation and to get them initiated into a life of prayer and other spiritual exercises. From June 1978 he served as spiritual director at the Minor Seminary, Kaduvakulam. In May 1981 he was transferred to the Novitiate House, Podimattam and appointed as the superior.

During 1983-89, Fr. Parathanam served as one of the General Councillors, and he has been in charge of the Eucharistic Apostolate. His first effort was to strengthen the Eucharistic Retreat Teams. He has been also instrumental to the establishment Sannidhana Ashram at Illithod as a Prayer House and Retreat Centre. He has been very active on the committees appointed for the study on the Founder and Charism of the congregation, and renewal of the Constitution. His personal acquaintance with the then Bishop of Ajmer-Jaipur has been helpful for the starting of the MCBS Rajasthan Mission in 1989.

In April 1990 Fr. Parathanam was asked serve as spiritual director at MCBS Study House, Kaukunnu. Next May He was appointed as the Rector of the Theology Study House, Kaduvakulam. In April 1993 he was transferred and appointed as Director of Sannidhana Ashram, Illithode. In 1999 he was privileged to make a pilgrimage to the Holy Land and Pilgrim Centres in Europe. Later he served at Karukunnu Study House, Sanathana – Thamarassery, Novitiate House –Kanjirapally, and Karimpany Ashram. He also served as pastoral assistant at Marian Pilgrim Centre, Parel, and as the spiritual director of the diocesan seminarians at Niranam. By then he has been experiencing a few serious health issues and he returned to the community.

He underwent medical treatment at the hospitals at Kothattukulam, Edappally and S.H. Medical Centre. By 26th July 2011 his health condition became worse and he was administered the sacrament of anointing on 30th July. Fr. Sebastian Parathanam breathed his last in the Lord at 10:15 p.m. on 3rd August 2011.

Funeral service for Fr. Sebastian Parathanam was on 8th August 2011 at the Emmaus Provincial House. Archbishops Joseph Powathil, George Valiamattam, Mathew Moolakattil, Bishops Joseph Kallarngatt and Mathew Arackel visited in the morning and prayed for Fr. Parathanam. The first part of the service was officiated by the provincial superior. The second part of the service was officiated by Archbishop Joseph Perumthottam. This was followed by the concelebrated Holy Mass officiated by Bishop Joseph Arumachadeth MCBS, participated by the superior general, provincial superiors, and many members of the

congregation, and attended by many religious sisters, laity, friends and relatives. Fr. George Kizhakkemury, the superior general preached the homily, highlighting the life and ministry of Fr. Parathanam. The final part of the service also was officiated by Bishop Joseph Arumachadeth.

Devotion to the Most Holy Eucharist, love for the consecrated life, zeal for preaching the Word of God, love for the congregation, hard work, missionary zeal etc. are a few of Fr. Parathanam’s virtues that should inspire us.

Fr. Cyriac Kottayarikil MCBS