Death Anniversary of Rev. Br Thomas Vattappara MCBS

BRO. THOMAS VATTAPPARA MCBS

​​​Date of Birth​​​​: 21-12-1921

​​​Joining the MCBS​​​: 06-07-1956

​​​First Profession​​​​: 17-05-1959

​​​Final Profession​​​​: 22-05-1962

​​​Death​​​​​: 06-08-2016

Thomas Vattappara was born on 21st December 1921 at Mutholapuram in the Diocese of Pala. His parents were Kurian and Annamma Vattappara. He was baptised on 27th December 1921. He was the second of the four siblings. Early demise of his dad compelled him to discontinue education with middle school and start working for the family. Early on he has been inspired by the life and spiritualty of Fr. Joseph Paredom, who happened to be the Parish Priest at Mutholapuram twice, and later, one of the founders of the MCBS. Amidst his hard work for the uplift of the family he used to have occasional consultation with the parish priest on personal spiritual life.

At the age of 35 he seriously thought of committing rest of his life to the service of the Church and sought for the advice of Fr. Paredom. On his advice, Thomas Vattappara joined the MCBS on 6th July 1956 with the intention of becoming a Brother Co-operator. He had his initial formation at the Mother House. Everyone liked his hearty and homely dealings and spirit of prayer. He was granted permission to join the 7th batch of mcbs novices and do the novitiate from 16th May 1958. Fr. George Kanatt was his Novice Master. On successful completion of the novitiate Bro. Vattappara made his First Profession on 17th May 1959.

The next three years were utilised for strengthening the religious commitment by earnest participation in the prayer life of the community and involving in the activities of the community. As an experienced agriculturist he could do a lot to convert the landed property productive and income generative. On 22nd May 1962 he made his Final Profession.

Bro. Thomas Vattappara was then appointed as the procurator at Lisieux Ashram, Athirampuzha, where the Minor Seminary of the congregation has been functioning. As he has been a caring person, he was attentive to the needs of the priests and seminarians. He had to oversee the cultivation in the paddy field and on the land. Since he has had experience in the field of cultivation he could manage everything well. All the same he would be punctual for the spiritual activities in the morning and in the evening.

He has been very kind to the workers, and they were happy with him and very dutiful. Later he was transferred to Pious Mount Ashram, Nellikutty, where he had to oversee the cultivation on the extended landed property which he managed fairly well. His next transfer was to St. Thomas Villa, Kompayar, where he was to oversee the works in the Cardamom, Pepper and Coffee plantations. It has been a tiresome job, but he was able to manage them well. During his service there he was blessed with an opportunity to make a pilgrimage to St. Francis Xavier’s shrine in Goa. His next place of service was the Minor Seminary, Kaduvakulam. There his duty was to assist the procurator and take care of the cultivation on land. His next transfer was to MCBS Generalate, Chunangamvely, where he had to oversee the works in the Rubber Plantation and the cultivation on the rest of the land. Later he had opportunities to serve, first at the Minor Seminary, Athirampuzha, and then at the Mother House, Kaduvakulam. Then he was asked to render his service, first at MCBS Study House, Aluva, and then at the Boys’ Town, Anappara. As he has been getting older he started spending more time for prayer, rest and relaxation. He was appointed to the MCBS Generalate for a second time.

He has been able to compile his spiritual reflections and publish it under the title Oru Manjuthulli Pole.

In 2004 Bro. Vattappara was transferred to Emmaus Provincial House, Kaduvakulam. By the time he has been experiencing a number of health issues like diabetes, variation of blood pressure etc. and he needed regular medical check-up and medication. He has had enough and more time for personal prayer and community activities. He has been very pleasant in his dealings and thankful for every service he received.

His health has been deteriorating, and on 25th July 2016 he happened feel very uneasy, and was taken to S.H. Medical Centre. On investigation his condition has been found critical and he was admitted in the ICU. He was administered the Sacrament of anointing. There has been signs of improvement for a few days, and in the afternoon of August 6th he uttered in a very low voice, ‘now, let me sleep for a while; please don’t disturb.’ For him it has been a sleep forever, he breathed his last in the Lord on 6th August 2016.

The funeral service for Bro. Thomas Vattappara was on 10th August 2016 at Emmaus Provincial House. The first part of the service was officiated by the provincial superior. The second part was officiated by the superior general. The third part commenced with the concelebrated Holy Mass, officiated by Bishop Thomas Elevenal MCBS, assisted by many members of the MCBS and attended by friends and relatives. Fr. Francis Kodiyan preached the homily.

Love for the community, intimacy with the Eucharist Lord, spirit of prayer, simple life style, sense of belongingness, pleasant and thankful dealings etc. are a few of Bro. Thomas Vattappara’s virtues that are to be appreciates and emulated.

 Rev Fr Cyriac Kottayarikil MCBS