Date of Birth: 07-04-1886

Priestly Ordination:19-04-1919

Joining the Congregation: 01-01-1936

Religious Profession: 30-09-1941

Death: 01-10-1943

Fr. Kozy Mambalam was born at Kavalam on 7th April 1886. His parents were Thomas and Annamma Mambalam. After his education at the school he was fortunate to attend the college and become a graduate. He joined as a teacher at St. Berchman’s School Changanassery. He had all possibility to obtain a better salaried job. But his choice was to serve the community as a catholic priest and joined the diocesan minor seminary.

After the initial formation and studies he was sent to Rome to do his priestly studies at the Propaganda College. At the completion of his studies he was ordained a priest on 19th April 1919. Back in India his first assignment was as the Headmaster of St. Berchman’s School. Bishop Thomas Kurialassery was very happy with his performance and even thought of him as his possible successor. But in 1927 James Kalassery became the Bishop of Changanassery. Bishop Kalassery appointed Fr. Kozy as the Bursar of St. Berchman’s college Changanassery. As a person of integrity Fr. Kozy wanted to do everything right with appropriate transparency. Many of the staff members of the college were not happy with the transaction of money by the then principal of the college, and they forwarded a complaint against the principal to the concerned University. As the bursar Fr. Kozy had to explain the actual situation, with relevant documents and accounts, to the enquiry commission from the university. In the light of the report of the enquiry commission, the university debarred the principal from holding his post. Bishop James Kalassery was unhappy with the situation, and felt that Fr. Kozy could have dealt the situation better. And he was discharged from all his duties at the college.

But Fr. Kozy took the occasion as a blessing. He had wanted to join the newly founded religious community. But the bishop had denied permission due to his responsibility at the college. Once he was relieved of his job at the college he felt free and with due permission started to live in the mcbs community at Parel. He joined the congregation formally on 1st January 1936. After his canonical novitiate he made his Religious profession on 30th September 1941.

His experience and expertise in managing construction work has been very helpful in the construction of the early houses of the congregation. He prepared the plan and estimate for the Mother House building, and also supervised its construction. He liked fostering vocation to priesthood and seeking out generous people to support them financially.

Due to continuous hard work he became sick. He has been suffering from severe diabetes. As he became very sick, Bishop James Kalassery paid a visit, and it turned out to be an occasion for pacifying the strained relationship between them.

By 1st October 1943 Fr. Kozy’s health condition became worse and he breathed his last in the Lord in the presence of the then Vicar Superior and other members of the Mother House. His funeral service was on the following day at Little Flower church, Kaduvakulam. Bishop James Kalassery officiated the functions, and also preached a very touching eulogy in which he made a very personal remark with tearful eyes, ‘I tested him; I tested him in fire; he outlived and succeeded in all…’ Many of Fr. Kozy’s relatives and friends, and members of the congregation together with many priests and sisters participated in the service. The newspaper Deepika carried an editorial highlighting Fr. Kozy’s exemplary life and his wonderful life of service to the community at large. He has been a man of principles; he was endowed with virtues like simplicity, humility, openness, sympathy, dedication, and hard work; he has been very devoted to the holy Eucharist, and respectful and obedient to superiors.

Fr. Cyriac Kottayarikil MCBS