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Fr Joy Checheril MCBS On Very Rev. Fr MATHEW ALAKALAM, Founder MCBS

VERY REV. FR. MATHEW ALAKALAM MCBS

Date of Birth                    :	30-03-1888
Priestly Ordination           :	21-12-1913
Religious Profession         :	15-08-1937
Death                              :	21-12-1977

In the early part of the twentieth century the Eucharistic- centred re-awakening in the life of the Church, initiated by Holy Pope Pius X (1902-1914), had its impact in the Church in Kerala together with a new missionary awareness and enthusiasm. In this historical context God has been preparing two great men in the persons of Father Mathew Alakalam and Father Joseph Paredom. In fulfilment of their life-long religious and missionary aspirations they outlined a new way of religious life in the Church, and thus the Missionary Congregation of the Blessed Sacrament (MCBS) was founded on 7th May 1933 with the ecclesiastical blessings of the then Bishop of the diocese of Changanassery, Mar James Kalassery. In God’s plan, while the inspiration, the idea and the initiative for a new religious congregation were through Father Mathew Alakalam, Father Joseph Paredom, his companion, co- operated with him and nurtured it like a tender plant. (Our Rule of Life C. 3&4)

Mathew Alakalam was born on 30th March 1888. His parents were Kuruvila and Thresia Alakalam who belonged to Poovathode parish. He was baptised on 6th April 1888. At the age of three he started his early education with a village teacher. Later he attended the Government school at Edamattam for the primary education. He did his middle school studies at St. Mary’s, Bharananganam. For his high school studies he was sent to St. Ephrem’s High School, Mannanam, staying at the boarding managed by CMI Fathers. Mathew has been very studious and looking forward to a vocation to be a priest. Hence, with the help of the priests there he also learned Latin language. Immediately after the high school examinations, with due permission from the bishop, he appeared for the entrance test of Varapuzha Puthenpally Seminary and obtained admission.

At the seminary Fr. Boniface was his Rector, and Fr. Casper, who was a devotee of the Holy Eucharist, has been his spiritual director. He was very exemplary in his spiritual duties, very good at studies, and smart in extracurricular activities. He was ordained as priest by Bishop Thomas Kurialaserry of Changanassery on 21st December 1913. His first appointment was to be the Sub-editor of the periodical ‘Eucharist and Priest’ published from the seminary. Later he was assigned to teach Syriac language at the seminary along with Kalpurackel Anthraose Malpan. During his service at the seminary he was inspired to start a new movement for the priests under the title, ‘Eucharistic Heart Missionary Movement’.

As his assignment at the seminary was over he returned to his home diocese where he was appointed to a number of parishes first as assistant parish priest and then as parish priest at Poovathode and Edamaruku respectively. In 1925 he was transferred to the Bishop’s House Changanassery and was asked to help Msgr. Jacob Kallarackal, the then Administrator of the Diocese. He continued his service at the Bishop’s House even after Bishop James Kalassery took over the administration of the Diocese. This helped him to share with the bishop his vision and idea of founding a new religious community for priests who would dedicate themselves for a Eucharistic centred life and Missionary apostolate. His presence at the Bishop’s House also helped him get to know of other priests with life-long religious and missionary aspirations, and organise them. He arranged a meeting of those priests, and the meeting was on 23rd March 1933. There was another meeting in April in which it was decided, in consultation with Bishop James Kalassery, to start the new religious community in May 1933. And thus, the Missionary Congregation of the Blessed Sacrament was founded on 7th May 1933 at Mallappally in the then Diocese of Changanassery.

The first batch of MCBS novitiate included Rev. Frs. Mathew Alakalam, Joseph Paredom, Jacob Kuzhikkattil and Mathew Paremakkel and they made their First Profession on 15th August, 1937. Fr. Alakalam made his Perpetual Profession on 12th September 1948.

In his humility Fr. Alakalam declined to assume any administrative position in the congregation, except that of a councillor to the Vicar Superior and as local superior for short period at Karimpany Ashram and Lisieux Ashram. Yet he was at the forefront organising resources for the construction of the Mother House of the congregation at Kaduvakulam and seeking out donors of land for the ashrams at Lisieux – Athirampuzha, Karimpany, Pious Mount – Nellikutty, and Sophia – Chathankottunada. As a powerful and inspiring preacher he had preached retreats in almost all important parishes in Kerala which helped him build up extensive connections with parish priests and families.

While at the seminary he was a voracious reader. As the founder of the new religious community he found time to write and publish over two dozen books. His writings and preaching reveal his identity as a mystic of the Holy Eucharist and ‘loud speaker’ of the Holy Spirit.

In 1960, Fr. Mathew Alakalam happened to write an open letter, addressing all the then professed members and expressing his serious concern over the vulnerable and weak position of the congregation due to its very slow growth and progress in respect to the number of members and choice of ministries. For instance, in 1958, when the congregation celebrated its Silver Jubilee, there were only a total of 26 professed members: 12 priests, 12 professed scholastics and 2 brother co-operators. The remedy he proposed was a merger of the MCBS with the MSFS, which, according to him, would open up wide range of resources and ministries around the world. However, he was humble enough to withdraw from the effort, as he became convinced that the majority of the members and the then administration of the congregation were against the proposal. With all sincerity he apologised for creating confusion in the community through his letter.

On 21st December 1973 Fr. Alakalam completed the sixtieth year of priesthood and it was fittingly celebrated in the community. Even though his health condition has been deteriorating he continued to be as active as possible. In 1976 the demise of his younger brother deeply affected him. On 18th November 1977 he went home for a few days to visit with his dear and near ones. During those days he became ill and was admitted in the Marygiri Hospital at Bharananganam. The members of the congregation as well as his close relatives were earnest in taking care of him at the hospital. On 9th December 1977 Bishop Sebastian Vayalil of Palai diocese visited him at the hospital and administered the Sacrament of Anointing as his condition has been worsening. On 21st December 1977, the anniversary day of his priestly ordination, at 8 p.m. his soul departed to be with the Lord. An eternal end of his journey on earth!

The funeral service for Fr. Alakalam commenced at 2:30 p. m. with concelebrated Holy Mass at the Little Flower Church, Kaduvakulam. Rev. Msgr. Jacob Vellringatt, the founder of Mission Home Palai and very close friend of Fr. Alakalam preached the homily highlighting the sanctity and wisdom of Fr. Alakalam. The closing functions of the funeral were officiated by Bishop Kuriakose Kunnassery of Kottayam Diocese. The funeral service was attended by a large crowd consisting of the Superior General of the MCBS, his Councillors, many priests, seminarians, and sisters, members of the family, friends and relatives.

The personality of Father Mathew Alakalam stands out like that of John the Baptist who was no “reed shaken by the wind” (Luke 7, 24). He was a man of austere life and ardent zeal for souls, and attuned to the voice of the Spirit. As a mystic of the Eucharist, he often exclaimed in joy and wonder “… praised be through hymns the Most Holy Mystery of the Eucharist full of goodness and glory. Let there be worship and glory to the Most Blessed Sacrament … as innumerable times as there are stars in the heaven and clouds in the sky.” Father Alakalam, who was an ardent devotee of the Holy Spirit, is a brilliant example and inspiration in our missionary apostolate. (Cfr Our Rule of Life, C. 5 & 107)

🖊🖊🖊 Fr. Cyriac Kottayarikil MCBS