Varghese Payyappilly: Difference between revisions
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[[File:George Alencherry during 135th birthday of Varghese Payapilly Palakkappilly.jpg|thumb|left|Major Archbishop of the Syro-Malabar Church [[Mar George Alencherry]] and Minister [[K. V. Thomas]] during the 135th birthday celebration of Varghese Palakkappilly]] |
[[File:George Alencherry during 135th birthday of Varghese Payapilly Palakkappilly.jpg|thumb|left|Major Archbishop of the Syro-Malabar Church [[Mar George Alencherry]] and Minister [[K. V. Thomas]] during the 135th birthday celebration of Varghese Palakkappilly]] |
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[[File:Kanjirappally Bishop Mathew Arackal at Tomb of Varghese Payapilly Palakkappilly.jpg|thumb|left|[[Kanjirappally]] Bishop Mar Mathew Arackal (holding the Mar Thoma Cross which symbolizes the heritage and identity of the Syrian Church of [[Saint Thomas Christians]]) and Rev. Dr. Prasant Palakkappilly [[Carmelites of Mary Immaculate|C.M.I]] (Principal, [[Sacred Heart College, Thevara|Thevara Sacred Heart College]]) along with other priests at the tomb of Servant of God Fr. Varghese Payapilly Palakkappilly during his 81st death anniversary]] |
[[File:Kanjirappally Bishop Mathew Arackal at Tomb of Varghese Payapilly Palakkappilly.jpg|thumb|left|[[Kanjirappally]] Bishop Mar Mathew Arackal (holding the Mar Thoma Cross which symbolizes the heritage and identity of the Syrian Church of [[Saint Thomas Christians]]) and Rev. Dr. Prasant Palakkappilly [[Carmelites of Mary Immaculate|C.M.I]] (Principal, [[Sacred Heart College, Thevara|Thevara Sacred Heart College]]) along with other priests at the tomb of Servant of God Fr. Varghese Payapilly Palakkappilly during his 81st death anniversary]] |
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Varghese Payapilly Palakkappilly was born as Kunjuvaru on 8 August 1876 in Perumanoor near Thevara to Palakkappilly Lonan and Kunjumariam. He hails from a noble, rather rich and ancient Christian family of [[Palakkappilly]] (also known as Payapilly) which is a [[Saint Thomas Christian]] family spread mainly in central districts of Kerala, namely [[Ernakulam district|Ernakulam]], [[Kottayam district|Kottayam]] and [[Idukki district|Idukki]].<ref>[http://sistersofthedestitute.org/?cmenu=2&pmenu=2&type=A&page=14 Sisters of the Destitute Founder]</ref>The Saint Thomas Christians are the descendants of the |
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Varghese Payapilly Palakkappilly was born as Kunjuvaru on 8 August 1876 in Perumanoor near Thevara to Palakkappilly Lonan and Kunjumariam. He hails from a noble, rather rich and ancient Christian family of [[Palakkappilly]] (also known as Payapilly) which is a [[Syrian Malabar Nasrani]] family spread mainly in central districts of Kerala, namely [[Ernakulam district|Ernakulam]], [[Kottayam district|Kottayam]] and [[Idukki district|Idukki]].<ref>[http://sistersofthedestitute.org/?cmenu=2&pmenu=2&type=A&page=14 Sisters of the Destitute Founder]</ref>The Syrian Malabar Nasranis are the descendants of the [[Cochin Jews|Jewish diaspora in Kerala]] <ref name="Menachery">Menachery G (1973) The St. Thomas Christian Encyclopedia of India, Ed. George Menachery, B.N.K. Press, vol. 2, ISBN 81-87132-06-X, Lib. Cong. Cat. Card. No. 73-905568; B.N.K. Press – (has some 70 lengthy articles by different experts on the origins, development, history, culture... of these Christians, with some 300 odd photographs).</ref><ref name="Menachery1">Menachery G (ed) (1982) The St. Thomas Christian Encyclopedia of India, B.N.K. Press, vol. 1;</ref><ref name="Menachery2">Menachery G (ed); (1998) "The Indian Church History Classics", Vol. I, The Nazranies, Ollur, 1998. [ISBN 81-87133-05-8].</ref><ref name="Mundalan">Mundadan, A. Mathias. (1984) History of Christianity in India, vol.1, Bangalore, India: Church History Association of India.</ref><ref name="Podipara">Podipara, Placid J. (1970) "The Thomas Christians". London: Darton, Longman and Tidd, 1970. (is a readable and exhaustive study of the St. Thomas Christians.)</ref><ref name="Lbrown">Leslie Brown, (1956) The Indian Christians of St. Thomas. An Account of the Ancient Syrian Church of Malabar, Cambridge: Cambridge University Press 1956, 1982 (repr.)</ref><ref name="Puthiakunnel">Thomas Puthiakunnel, (1973) "Jewish colonies of India paved the way for St. Thomas", The Saint Thomas Christian Encyclopedia of India, ed. George Menachery, Vol. II., Trichur.</ref><ref name="Koder">Koder S. 'History of the Jews of Kerala".The St. Thomas Christian Encyclopaedia of India, Ed. G. Menachery,1973.</ref><ref name="VPillai">T.K Velu Pillai, (1940) "The Travancore State Manual"; 4 volumes; Trivandrum)</ref> who were [[evangelism|evangelized]] by [[Thomas the Apostle|St. Thomas the Apostle]] in the [[Malabar Coast]] in the earliest days of Christianity.<ref name="Menachery" /><ref name="Menachery1" /><ref name="Menachery2" /><ref name="Mundalan" /><ref name="Podipara" /><ref name="Lbrown" />It has been suggested that the term ''Nasrani'' derives from the name [[Nazarene (title)|Nazarenes]] used by ancient [[Jewish Christians]] in the Near-East who believed in the divinity of [[Jesus]] but clung to many of the Mosaic ceremonies.<ref name= "Grant">Grant, Asahel. The Nestorians, or the Lost Tribes, Containing Evidence of Their Identity. New York: Harper and Brothers, 1841</ref> |
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Payapilly Palakkappilly is a prominent [[Syro-Malabar|Syrian Catholic]] family originally hailing from [[North Paravur]] in the erstwhile [[Travancore Kingdom]] and presently based in Perumanoor. There exists several documents mostly in the form of palm leaves providing valuable information about the history of the family and confirm that the family members had the tradition of using the term ''Nasrani'' along with their names. It is believed that the term ''Payapilly'' is associated with North Paravur ancestry and the term ''Palakkappilly'' had its origin in Perumanoor. The family had several plots, namely Payapilly, Illathuparambu, Koonamveedu and Neendoopadam.<ref name="PP"> |
Payapilly Palakkappilly is a prominent [[Syro-Malabar|Syrian Catholic]] family originally hailing from [[North Paravur]] in the erstwhile [[Travancore Kingdom]] and presently based in Perumanoor. There exists several documents mostly in the form of palm leaves providing valuable information about the history of the family and confirm that the family members had the tradition of using the term ''Nasrani'' along with their names. It is believed that the term ''Payapilly'' is associated with North Paravur ancestry and the term ''Palakkappilly'' had its origin in Perumanoor. The family had several plots, namely Payapilly, Illathuparambu, Koonamveedu and Neendoopadam.<ref name="PP"> |
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D. Dhanuraj and Aneish P. Rajan, ''Thevara - History and Culture'', pp.12–26</ref> |
D. Dhanuraj and Aneish P. Rajan, ''Thevara - History and Culture'', pp.12–26</ref> |
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Since the particular family name of Palakkappilly belonged to the caste of [[Brahmin]]s it is to be assumed that his ancestors included Brahmins |
Since the particular family name of Palakkappilly belonged to the caste of [[Brahmin]]s it is to be assumed that his ancestors included Brahmins. The name ''[[Illam|Illathuparambil]]'' (meaning, pertaining to brahminical possessions) found entered in his baptismal register and the shape of his ancestral home and the vessels found there give more weight to this supposition.<ref name="foc">[http://webcache.googleusercontent.com/search?q=cache:ZvEc_4sNrlMJ:www.sistersofthedestitute.org/includes/download.php%3Ffname%3D../resources/doc/1274259248_doc.doc Founts of Compassion], Biography by the Sisters of the Destitute</ref><ref name="PP"/> His full name as in his [[will (law)|will]] is '''Illathuparambilirikkum Payyappillilaya Palakkappillil Nasrani Varghese Kathanar'''. |
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His parents had five children, namely Thoma, Kunjulonan, Korah, Kunjautha and Fr. Varghese. His other relatives were very learned and were occupying important positions in the society and some of them even had received honorary titles from the [[Kingdom of Cochin|King of Kochi]].<ref name="foc"/><ref name="PP"/> But his parents were of a very simple and straightforward nature. He had the fortune to grow up in a family richly blessed with vocations. His paternal uncle (Fr. Varghese Payapilly Palakkappilly) as well as another paternal cousin (Fr. Mathai Payapilly Palakkappilly) were already priests.<ref name=obit-priests>[http://www.ernakulamarchdiocese.org/obituary_priests.php Obituary - Priests], Archdiocese of Ernakulam-Angamaly</ref> |
His parents had five children, namely Thoma, Kunjulonan, Korah, Kunjautha and Fr. Varghese. His other relatives were very learned and were occupying important positions in the society and some of them even had received honorary titles from the [[Kingdom of Cochin|King of Kochi]].<ref name="foc"/><ref name="PP"/> But his parents were of a very simple and straightforward nature. He had the fortune to grow up in a family richly blessed with vocations. His paternal uncle (Fr. Varghese Payapilly Palakkappilly) as well as another paternal cousin (Fr. Mathai Payapilly Palakkappilly) were already priests.<ref name=obit-priests>[http://www.ernakulamarchdiocese.org/obituary_priests.php Obituary - Priests], Archdiocese of Ernakulam-Angamaly</ref> |
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Revision as of 13:33, 6 March 2012
Servant of God Fr. Varghese Payapilly Palakkappilly | |
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 Varghese Payapilly Palakkappilly | |
| Born | August 8, 1876 Perumanoor, Kerala, India |
| Died | October 5, 1929 (aged 53) Aluva, Kerala, India |
| Venerated in | Roman Catholic Church |
| Feast | 05 October |
| Part of a series on |
| Christianity in India |
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Varghese Payapilly Palakkappilly (Malayalam: വർഗീസ് പയ്യപ്പിള്ളി പാലയ്ക്കാപ്പിള്ളി) was a Syrian Catholic (Syro-Malabar Catholic) priest from the Indian state of Kerala and the founder of the Congregation of the Sisters of the Destitute.
Family
Varghese Payapilly Palakkappilly was born as Kunjuvaru on 8 August 1876 in Perumanoor near Thevara to Palakkappilly Lonan and Kunjumariam. He hails from a noble, rather rich and ancient Christian family of Palakkappilly (also known as Payapilly) which is a Saint Thomas Christian family spread mainly in central districts of Kerala, namely Ernakulam, Kottayam and Idukki.[1]The Saint Thomas Christians are the descendants of the
Payapilly Palakkappilly is a prominent Syrian Catholic family originally hailing from North Paravur in the erstwhile Travancore Kingdom and presently based in Perumanoor. There exists several documents mostly in the form of palm leaves providing valuable information about the history of the family and confirm that the family members had the tradition of using the term Nasrani along with their names. It is believed that the term Payapilly is associated with North Paravur ancestry and the term Palakkappilly had its origin in Perumanoor. The family had several plots, namely Payapilly, Illathuparambu, Koonamveedu and Neendoopadam.[2]
Since the particular family name of Palakkappilly belonged to the caste of Brahmins it is to be assumed that his ancestors included Brahmins. The name Illathuparambil (meaning, pertaining to brahminical possessions) found entered in his baptismal register and the shape of his ancestral home and the vessels found there give more weight to this supposition.[3][2] His full name as in his will is Illathuparambilirikkum Payyappillilaya Palakkappillil Nasrani Varghese Kathanar.
His parents had five children, namely Thoma, Kunjulonan, Korah, Kunjautha and Fr. Varghese. His other relatives were very learned and were occupying important positions in the society and some of them even had received honorary titles from the King of Kochi.[3][2] But his parents were of a very simple and straightforward nature. He had the fortune to grow up in a family richly blessed with vocations. His paternal uncle (Fr. Varghese Payapilly Palakkappilly) as well as another paternal cousin (Fr. Mathai Payapilly Palakkappilly) were already priests.[4]
Early life
Varghese started his primary education in the parish school at Perumanoor and had his high school education at St. Albert's School, Ernakulam. He learnt Latin from Puthenpally Seminary and received his religious training at the Papal Seminary, Kandy, Sri Lanka. He was ordained a priest on 21 December 1907. He was noted for punctuality, discipline, piety and fraternal charity. Fr. Varghese served as parish priest in Kadamakkudy (1909–11), Alengad (1911–13) and Arakuzha (1920–22). During his tenure in Arakuzha he began the St. Mary's Higher Seconday School there. He was instrumental in bringing a total transformation in the parish and had helped to solve many of the long lasting family problems. He gave the lands to the tenants of the church and had some profitable land purchased for the church, thus making it self-sufficient.[5] He also purchased 12 acres (49,000 m2) of land in M. C. Road for constructing St. Joseph's Syrian Catholic Church in Meenkunnam.
Later life
He was manager of St. Mary's High School, Aluva (1913–20,1922–29), one of the prominent schools in the Travancore. It was a rare honour bestowed upon him to have him made the manager of such a prestigious educational institution. In 1913 when he became the manager of the school, the institution was passing through a period of deep crisis for the recognition was withdrawn in 1909. The silver jubilee report of the school explains how Fr. Varghese had tackled the problem.[5] Cardinal Mar Joseph Parecattil, former Head of the Syro-Malabar Catholic Church, was a student of Fr. Varghese and studied staying in the school boarding and as such had ample opportunity to know closer the figure of Fr. Varghese.[5] During the time of Fr. Varghese, the school was a seedbed of priestly vocations as testified in the autobiography by Mar Joseph Parecattil:
"Fr. Varghese Payapilly Palakkappilly was the manager when I joined the school. A slim figure with sunken eyes and with a serious expression on the face, he was an outstanding person. I may never have seen anybody with a willpower stronger than what he had. Nothing could shake him or take away his inner tranquility. I can sincerely say that the formation that I had received under him did exercise a great influence in my life. All those who wanted to become priests had to inform Fr. Varghese about their decision. This was the directive in the hostel and after much prayer and reflection I arrived at the conclusion and then I went to Fr. Varghese and told him of my desire" [6]
Fr. Varghese served as a member of the Diocesan Council, as Director of Apostolic Union as well as Priests' Provident Fund. He had a profound sense of justice and peace. He was a good mediator and people approached him seeking solution for their problems. His role in solving political rivalry regarding Aluva Municipal Chairmanship is worth mentioning. The tug of war for the Chairmanship became so strong and inconclusive that both warring parties approachd Fr. Varghese and asked him to become the Chairman. Both groups had promised that they would be faithful to him. But he did not comply with their request.[6] He was held in great honour by the church authorities and equally by the officials in the education department and government officers. The government had given him free pass to travel in the railways.[5] The concern and the care for the poor and the suffering, for which Fr. Varghese was well known throughout his life, were noted particularly, the way he helped the victims of the flood in the year 1924. He turned St. Mary's High School into a shelter for the suffering people and brought food for them in a hired boat.[7]
Sisters of the Destitute (S. D.)
Until the 19th century there were no organized form of charitable services in Kerala to care for the poor and the destitute. Fr. Varghese came forward with the idea of founding a congregation to continue Christ’s redemptive mission among the poor. He founded the congregation of the Sisters of the Destitute (S.D.) in Chunangamvely on 19 March 1927. He picked up those found lying abandoned, brought them to the shelter of the Home for the Aged and nursed them personally. It was originally named Little Sisters of the Poor. But in 1933, the name was changed to Sisters of the Destitute, since there was another congregation having the same title.[5] S.D. was exalted to pontifical status in 1989. At present, it includes over 1500 nuns and is working in Asia, Europe, Africa and North America.
Death
Fr. Varghese caught a cold on 19 September 1929 and took to bed. Later he was taken to Ernakulam general hospital for better treatment, but his condition only got worse. He died an untimely death on 5 October 1929, falling a victim to typhoid. He was buried in St. John Nepumsian Syrian Catholic Church, Konthuruthy. The funeral rite was administered by His Grace Mar Augustine Kandathil as the main celebrant in the presence of numerous priests and a huge gathering of people. The eulogy was delivered by the Prior General Fr. John Berchumans T.O.C.D.[5]
Cause of Canonization
The Cause of the Beatification of Rev. Fr. Varghese Payapilly Palakkappilly was initiated by His Eminence Mar Varkey Cardinal Vithayathil, Major Archbishop of the Syro-Malabar Catholic Church in a ceremony held at the motherhouse of the Sisters of the Destitute on 6 September 2009.[8][9]
The mortal remains of Servant of God Varghese Payapilly Palakkappilly were exhumed and transferred to new tomb on 23 February 2011.
See also
References
- ^ Sisters of the Destitute Founder
- ^ a b c D. Dhanuraj and Aneish P. Rajan, Thevara - History and Culture, pp.12–26
- ^ a b Founts of Compassion, Biography by the Sisters of the Destitute
- ^ Obituary - Priests, Archdiocese of Ernakulam-Angamaly
- ^ a b c d e f Sr. Savio S.D., Springs of Compassion - Biography of the Servant of God Varghese Payapilly Palakkappilly
- ^ a b Cardinal Joseph Parecattil, I as Seen by Myself - Autobiography of Cardinal Joseph Parecattil, pp.128–138
- ^ Sisters of the Destitute Founder
- ^ Varghese Payapilly Palakkappilly
- ^ Conference of Catholic Bishops of India
External links
- Father Varghese Payapilly Palakkappilly declared Servant of God, Conference of Catholic Bishops of India, September 11, 2009
- Sisters of the Destitute
- Tomb of Servant of God V.Rev.Fr.Varghese Payapilly Palakkappilly
- Prayer
- Deepika News
- Short Biography in Malayalam
- Priest From Kerala Declared Servant Of God, TopReporter.org, September 16, 2009
- Hagiography Circle
- Hagiography Circle
- The Cause of the Beatification of Rev. Fr. Varghese Payapilly Palakkappilly initiated, Archdiocese of Ernakulam-Angamaly, September 6 2009
- Syro-Malabar Catholic Church
- [1]
- [2]
- [3]
- [4]
- Sunday Shalom
- [5]
- Sacred Heart Convent School
- Ernakulam - Angamaly Arch Diocese
- Syro-Malabar Catholic Church
- Ernakulam - Angamaly Arch Diocese
- [6]
- [7]
- Varghese Payapilly Palakkappilly Road - Naattuvisheshangal->Ernakulam
- 1876 births
- 1929 deaths
- Indian people
- Indian Roman Catholic priests
- Archdiocese of Ernakulam-Angamaly
- Founders of Roman Catholic religious communities
- Syro-Malabar Catholics
- 19th-century venerated Christians
- Indian Christians
- Christianity in India
- Christianity in Kerala
- Saint Thomas Christians
- People from Kerala
- Palakkappilly
- Indian Eastern Catholics
- Syro-Malabar Catholic Church
- Malayali people
- Servants of God
- Roman Catholic Church in India
- 20th-century venerated Christians