FR. SEBASTIAN KARUTHEDATH MCBS

Date of Birth: 24-05-1929

Joining the mcbs: 13-05-1948

Religious Profession: 30-04-1950

Priestly Ordination: 12-03-1958

Death: 03-04-1996

Sebastian Karuthedath was born on 24th May 1929 at Kozha, Kuravilangad. His parents were Mathachen and Annamma Karuthedath Nidhiri. There were ten siblings. He had his school education at St Mary’s School, Kuravilangad. He has been very smart and talented in music and public speaking, active in the pious associations of the parish. By the time he completed successfully his high school he had an inclination to be seminarian.

On 13th May 1948 he joined the MCBS as a seminarian. Since the MCBS then didn’t have its own Minor Seminary, he was sent to the diocesan minor seminary at Parel, Changanassery, for his study and formation. In April 1949 he joined in the fourth batch of mcbs novitiate; Fr. Michael CMI has been the novice master. On 30th April 1950 Sebastian Karuthedath made his religious profession along with his batch mates. Then he continued his studies at Parel minor seminary. Next year he was sent to Mangalapuzha Seminary, Aluva, for his major seminary study and formation. The presence of the saintly priests like Fr. Aurelian OCD and Fr. Zacharias OCD had been a great source of inspiration for the seminarians. During those years he has been experiencing severe health issues due to asthma. But he successfully completed the studies, and was ordained as priest on 12th March 1958 by Archbishop Joseph Parekkattil.

Fr. Sebastian’s first assignment was at Lisieux Ashram, Athirampuzha. In June 1958 the Minor Seminary which had been functioning in the Mother House at Kaduvakulam was shifted to Lisieux Ashram. Fr. Karuthedath joined the staff as teacher of Syriac language. Whenever he was offered opportunities he went out to preach retreats in the parishes and religious communities. Later he was transferred to Karimpany Ashram. In October 1959, when the priest members assembled to elect a new Superior General and his Council members, Fr. Sebastian Karuthedath got elected as the. Chancellor of the congregation. Unfortunately someone wrongly interpreted the chancellor’s role and Fr. Karuthedath happened to act accordingly which caused a lot of confusion in the community. Hence he happened to be removed from that position through the intervention of higher authorities. Naturally he was a bit offended and turned indifferent, for some time, to the affairs of the congregation. But he has been involved in pastoral ministry in dioceses like Mananthavady and Palakkad. Later he volunteered to do ministry in Shimoga Mission. From February 1991 he served as parish priest at Ponnukara in the Archdiocese of Trichur.

In 1992 for health reasons Fr. Karuthedath was asked to move to Anapra Mcbs House and to have some rest and relaxation. But he carried on to be active by helping out in nearby parishes and hearing confessions for long hours in the retreat centres like Muringoor. In the evening of 2nd April 1996 he was back in the community after the confessions at Muringoor, and he was to offer Holy Mass in a neighbouring parish next morning. But he didn’t wake up in morning, and was found sleeping in the Lord. Despite his ill-health, Fr. Sebastian kept himself busy assisting the people of God in their spiritual needs! He died on 3rd April 1996; it was during Holy Week.

Funeral service for Fr. Sebastian Karuthedath was at the Mcbs Generalate, Chunangamvely, on 8th April 1996. The service commenced with concelebrated Holy Mass presided over by the superior general and participated by a number of mcbs priests, religious sisters, relatives and friends. The final part of the service was officiated by Bishop Jacob Manathodath of Ernakulam.

Fr. Sebastian Karuthedath could be praying in the presence of the Holy Eucharist for hours. His celebration of Holy Mass has been very devotional. His preaching has been very inspiring and emotional. He has been very hard working and service minded.

Fr. Cyriac Kottayarikil MCBS