BRO. XAVIER VENGASSERIL MCBS

Date of Birth​: 13-04-1938
​Joining the MCBS: 13-06-1957
​First Religious Profession​: 19-05-1959
​Final Religious Profession​: 19-05-1962
​Death ​: 06-04-2020

Xavier Vengasseril was born on 13th April 1938 at Thekkekara in the district of Alappuzha. His parents were Gregory and Elikutty Vengasseril from Thekkekara parish in the Archdiocese of Changanassery. He was the sixth of seven siblings. He was baptised on 20th April 1938 and confirmed on 15th May 1946. Early on he had the desire to join a seminary and become a missionary. During his high school studies he joined the SDB as an aspirant. He had been weak in studies and had to discontinue his studies there.

He joined the MCBS, on 13th June 1957, to be a Brother Co-operator. After one year of initial formation, he joined the MCBS Novitiate on 18th May 1958. Fr. George Kanatt has been his novice master. During novitiate he has been earnest in assimilating into his life the ideals, values and attitudes of religious life, living the evangelical counsels in the community and getting initiated into life of prayer and other spiritual exercises. On successful completion of the novitiate Xavier Vengasseril made his first religious profession on 19thMay 1959.

After three years, on 19th May 1962, he made his perpetual profession. He has had some desire to serve the community as a priest. But he was ready to give up the idea when he became convinced that it was impossible for him to pursue the required study of philosophy and theology. He found full satisfaction in assisting the community as a Brother Co-operator.

Wherever he served he gave primary importance to his participation in the prayer life and community activities. He has been a person so imbued with the sense of belongingness that he would take utmost care of the house and properties. He has been very caring and helpful to the members of the community. He has been very faithful in carrying out the duties entrusted to him. He has been very kind to the poor and needy.

During the years from 1962 to 1990 Bro. Xavier rendered his service as procurator first at MCBS Mother House, Kaduvakulam, then at St. Thomas Villa, Kombayar, and the at Pious Mount, Nellikutty. From 1990 to 2000 he served as assistant procurator at Karimpany Ashram. During 2000 – 2005 he assisted at Lisieux Ashram, Athirampuzha, where the minor seminary has been functioning. During 2005 – 2019 he rendered all possible service as member of the MCBS Mother House, Kaduvakulam. He has been very hard working. For him, wasting anything, especially food items, has been unacceptable.

Early 2019 onwards Bro Xavier has been experiencing certain health issues and undergoing treatment. For better caring and attention he was asked to stay at the provincial house. He continued to be joyful and active in the community even in the midst of pain and suffering. In the beginning of April 2019 his condition became worse. He was administered the sacrament of anointing. 0n 6th April 2019, early morning, Bro Xavier Vengasseril breathed his last in the Lord.
The funeral service for Bro. Xavier Vengasseril was on 7thApril 2019, at the Emmaus Provincial House. Due to Covid 19 restrictions many could not attend the service. The provincial superior officiated the first part of the service. Then the superior general, Fr. Joseph Maleparampil, presided over the concelebrated Holy Mass. He preached a touching homily, and also officiated the concluding part of the service.

Zealous personal prayer, pleasant dealings with everyone, hardworking, sincere in words and deeds, life of simplicity etc. are few of Bro. Xavier’s virtues that are to be appreciated and emulated.

Rev. Fr. Cyriac Kottayarikil MCBS