Date of Birth​​​: 16-01-1965
​​​Joining the MCBS​​: 10-06-1982
​​​Religious Profession​​: 17-05-1986
​​​Priestly Ordination​​: 29-12-1993
​​​Death​​​​: 11-08-2023

Joseph (Sabu) Vadakkel was born on 16th January 1965 at Kallarkutty near Adimali in Idukki district. His parents were Devasia and Mariakutty Vadakkel. He was baptised on 26th January 1965 at St. Thomas Church, Kallarkutty. He was the eldest of the three children; Sr. Sherine SH and Johnson are his younger sister and brother. Theirs has been a very religious minded and prayerful family.

Following his successful high school education Sabu joined the Minor Seminary at Kaduvakulam on 10th June 1982. During those years the seminarians were to do and complete successfully the Pre-degree Course also. For him study was not that easy, and through hard work and earnest prayer he managed to complete successfully his minor seminary formation. During 1985-86 he had his novitiate. Fr. Joseph Moonnappallil has been his novice master. Joseph Vadakkel made his first Religious Profession on 17th May 1986.

In June 1986 Sabu Vadakkel started his major seminary formation at MCBS Study House, Karukunnu, and attending Philosophy course at St. Joseph’s Pontifical Seminary. On completion of the philosophy studies, he had the regency for one year. He did his study of theology at St. Thomas Apostolic Seminary, Vadavathoor, staying at the Study House, Kaduvakulam. On completion of the study of Theology he was ordained as priest on 29th December 1993.

Fr. Joseph Vadakkel’s first appointment was at Divyakarunnia Ashram, Thannipuzha, in charge of the Retreat Centre there. He has been very effective in organizing retreat programs, preaching the word of God and conducting prayer service and Eucharistic Adoration. He has been attracting big crowds for the retreat and one-day prayer programs. In 1997 he was invited to preach retreats for the communities of people from Kerala in Europe. He has been preaching Eucharistic retreats and people liked his preaching.

In 2003 he was given an opportunity to do higher studies in the Philippines. He did his Masters in Theology at the Manila University. Later he did his Doctorate at Social Institute, Manila. The theme of his doctoral thesis has been: “The Eucharistic Flame Evangelization – Jesus’ Fire on Earth – A Phenomenology of a Transpersonal Experience.” His ideal was to lead the whole world to a Eucharistic revival. With this aim in view he founded a movement under the banner ‘Eucharistic Flame’. His idea was to organise Eucharistic Retreat Programs, Eucharistic Adorations and Eucharistic Conventions aiming at a Eucharistic revival.

In 2007 he managed to establish the Eucharistic Flame Centre at Midtown Village in Manila. Later he extended this ministry to Europe. For this he had the support of eminent personalities like Cardinal Meissner of Colon, Bishop Gabriel V. Reyes of Philippines, and Bishop Bielsko of Poland etc. He also brought out two books: 1. Jesus Wipes Away Your Tears; 2. Jesus – Your Eucharistic Flame. These books were translated into German, Spanish, Polish and Slovakian. In 2009 he was appointed by the then Superior General of the MCBS as the Director of the Eucharistic Flame Evangelisation for Europe.
He has been busy organising Prayer Groups, Retreats and Radio & TV Programs under its banner. He got the support of many religious sisters and lay faithful.

As he kept himself busy with his ministries, he seemed to be unmindful of his health issues. He has been suffering from diabetes and high blood pressure. On 11th August 2023 he actively participated in the morning session of the prayer group. At noon he had his lunch together with a few of his friends and returned to his room for a little rest, promising to preside over the Holy Mass in the evening. As he failed to turn up for Mass on time, one or two of his friends searched for him in his room; they found him lying calm on his bed, sleeping in the Lord. He has had a massive heart attack.
Fr. Joseph Vadakkel’s unexpected demise was a shock to everyone, especially to the Mcbs community and members of his family.

Funeral service for Fr. Vadakkel was at Divyakarnunya Ashram, Thannipuzha on 20th August 2023. Bishop Sebastian Vaniapurackel and Bishop Tony Neelankavil, his classmates, visited, paid tribute to and prayed for him. The second part of the service was presided over by Bishop Pauly Kannukkadan of Iringalakuda. Concelebrated Holy Mass was presided over by the Superior General, assisted by the provincial superiors and many members of the congregation and attended by many religious sisters, laity, friends and relatives of Fr. Vadakkel. The homily was preached by his classmate Fr. Thomas Pottemparambil MCBS. The final part of the service was presided over by Bishop Thomas Elevanal MCBS.

Fr. Joseph Vadakkel’s personality of hard work, zealous love for Eucharistic Jesus, resourcefulness and commitment for ministry etc. are to be appreciated and emulated.

Rev Fr Cyriac Kottayarukil MCBS