Date of Birth: 22-04-1937

Joining the MCBS: 22-06-1953

Religious Profession: 23-05-1957

Priestly Ordination: 11-03-1964

Death: 23-04-2001

George Koonthanath was born on 22nd April 1937, in the Sacred Heart Parish, Karoor, in the diocese of Pala. His parents were Joseph and Mariam Jnavalli Koonthanath. His elder brother, Joseph was a teacher at St. Thomas High School, Pala. He had five sisters of whom four were nuns, Sr. Lucy MMS, Sr. Agnella CSST, Sr. Sylvia CMC and Sr. Tissilla FCC. George had his primary education at the Government Lower Primary School at Karoor. He had his continued education at St. Thomas High School, Pala. Then he joined for Intermediate studies at St. Thomas College, Pala. But after the first year, in 1953 he joined the MCBS. He was asked to continue his studies at S.B. College, Changanassery and at the diocesan Minor Seminary, Parel.

In May 1956 he joined the sixth batch of Mcbs Novices to do his novitiate formation. Fr. Casinos CMI has been the novice master. George has been a very exemplary novice, assimilating into his life the ideals, values and attitudes of religious life and  getting initiated into a life of prayer and other spiritual exercises. On completion of the novitiate George, along with his companions, made his religious profession on 23rd May 1957. Then he was sent to St. Joseph’s Seminary, Mangalore, to have his major seminary studies and formation. He has been highly intelligent, and the topper in every respect. He was ordained priest on 11th March 1964 by Bishop Sebastian Vayalil of Pala.

His first assignment as a priest was to be a teacher at the Minor Seminary, Lisieux, Athirampuzha. He did his job so excellently that he was promoted after a year to do his higher studies in Rome. He obtained licentiate in Theology from Gregorian University and licentiate in Sacred Scripture from the Pontifical Biblical Institute. During 1970-71 he served as Assistant Professor at the Gregorian University. For his doctoral research he chose the Prophets of the Old Testament as the theme of his specialisation. His study of the Prophets brought about wonderful changes in his outlook on Christian life, in his understanding of practicing faith, in his style and content of preaching the word of God and in his service to the humanity. Due to certain health issues he could not carry on his research and gave up his work on the doctoral thesis. He returned to India in 1972.

Fr. George was appointed to teach Scripture at Mangalapuzha Seminary. His classes were excellent and his students loved them. In 1978 he volunteered for pastoral ministry in Germany. Whatever he could save were utilized towards funding the social service of the congregation. During 1983-95 he has been a resident of Mcbs Generalate, Chunangamvely, and giving classes on scripture at various theological institutes and major seminaries like Vidyajyothi College Delhi, Christujyothi Bangalore, St. Paul’s Trichy, Regional Theological Seminary Bhopal, Oriens College Shillong, Papal Seminary Pune etc. He used to publish scholarly articles and columns in various publications. While at home he would busy himself cleaning the house and its premises, taking care of the chicken farm etc. He had special care and concern for the poor and the downtrodden. In 1995 he withdrew himself from the teaching job as he was having health issues due to diabetes. In 1996 he opted for a transfer to Karimpany Ashram where he engaged himself doing simple household works. In 1998 he was transferred to Emmaus House, Thiruvananthapuram, where he strived to be helpful to the superior in the running of the parish and Students’ Hostel.

On 19th April 2001, Fr. George conducted the usual Eucharistic adoration in the evening, and after some friendly chat with the boys in the hostel he withdrew to his room for night rest; Fr. Superior was away for some reason. Next morning he was supposed to celebrate Holy Mass for the parishioners but he failed to arrive on time. In their search they found him in his room lying unconscious. He was immediately taken to the Medical College Hospital and admitted for treatment. But there wasn’t any sign of improvement and by 23rd morning his condition turned worse, was administered the sacrament of anointing, and breathed his last in the Lord.

Funeral service for Fr. George Koonthanath was on 25th April 2001 at Mcbs Generalate, Chunangamvely. From morning onwards priests, religious sisters and laity, many of whom were his former students, arrived in large numbers, paid homage to and prayed for Fr. George. The first part of the funeral service commenced with concelebrated Holy Mass, presided over by the superior general and assisted by the provincial superiors and many members of the congregation and attended by his relatives and friends. Fr. Paul Thelakkat, a former student, preached the homily.

Call for justice, hard work, accepting of pain and suffering, be for the poor and the downtrodden, pleasant mindedness, humble service, prophetic mind-set and simple life style are a few of his virtues and attitudes that should inspire us.

Fr. Cyriac Kottayarikil MCBS