(20.11.1934 -14.04.2026)
Rev. Fr Eugene Eluvathingal Kattookaran of the Infant Jesus (91) was born on November 20, 1934, in Ollur, in the Archdiocese of Thrissur, into the Eluvathingal–Kattookaran family, as the fifth of five children of the late Mr. Kunjippalu and Mrs. Kunjamma Kunjippalu. After high school studies, in 1952, he joined the Malabar Province of the Discalced Carmelite Order, and made his first profession in 1956. He made his perpetual profession in 1959 and completed his studies in Philosophy and Theology in Ghent and Leuven, Belgium. In 1962, he was ordained priest through
the laying on of hands by the then Bishop of Belgium, the Most Rev. Emiel Jozef De Smedt. Fr. Eugene is the first priest from the Archdiocese of Thrissur to be ordained in the Order of Discalced Carmelites. After his studies in Belgium, he returned to India on September 8, 1963.
After returning to India, he pursued Licentiate in Theology at the Papal Seminary in 1964. At the completion of his studies in Pune, Fr. Eugene’s was assigned conventuality at St Joseph’s Monastery, Carmelaram, Bangalore. There, we were running an extension of the Post Office and Fr Eugene was appointed Asst. Post-Master. From 1968 to 1972 he was a conventual in St Teresa’s Monastery, Ernakulam and from 1972 to 1975 he served in Avilagiri Ashram, Koombara. From 1975 to 1977 he was a member of St Joseph’s Monastery, Varappuzha (now part of Manjummel Province), from 1978 to 1981 he was in Carmelaram Theology College serving as the Bursar of the community.
For eighteen long years (1981 to 1999) Fr Eugene was the Assistant Manager and functioned as Bursar of St. Joseph’s Press, and a member of Carmel Hill Monastery, Trivandrum. In addition, he served as the Manager of Carmel Magazine, the spiritual organ of the province. During this period, it is noteworthy that he used to write articles and poems in the Carmel Magazine. He had a column titled “Pithavinte Swaram” in the Carmel Magazine, through which he diffused the teachings of the Church – he made the message of the Holy Father – accessible to common people. This column was discontinued only when the Vatican’s official newspaper, L’Osservatore Romano, began to be published in Malayalam in the year 2008. He published poems and articles in the Carmel magazine under the pen name “E. Katt.” Among these, particularly noteworthy is the Bible drama he wrote based on Tobit, which manifest the hidden talents in Fr. Eugene. He was endowed with various literary and poetic abilities. He was a sort of a mystic and poet; with exposure and encouragement he could have been an accomplished writer in the literary field. But he was least bothered about the recognition and reward. That is why he went on writing without the least desire to get them published. The various poems composed by him on different occasions bear witness to his original thinking and imagination.
In 1999 he was transferred from Trivandrum to St. Teresa’s Monastery, Ernakulam as the first Councilor of the community. While being conventual in St Teresa’s Monastery, Ernakulam, he also served as the chaplain to St Teresa’s convent and confessor to various neighboring institutions. He used to go around to take classes as well as to preach retreats. From November 2001 to the end of December 2003, he served as Chapline of the OCD Sisters in the diocese of Kamloops, Canada and also extended his pastoral help to the same Diocese. From 2004 to 2019 and he was in the community of Mount Carmel Ashram, Pala dedicated to long years of pastoral service. Through his knowledge, talents, abilities, and spirituality, he brought the faithful closer to God through his ministry. He spent long hours in the confessional, opening the doors of God’s mercy to the faithful through the Sacrament of Reconciliation. Many religious and lay people flocked to
him for confession. He maintained a close relationship with the Prelates of the Pala Diocese especially with Mar Joseph Kallarangattu, Bishop of Pala, they too maintained a close relationship with him.
He was a man of pleasant disposition, joyful and smiling. He could diffuse a sense of humour to everyone who approached him. Through his simplicity, smile, and love, he brought many closer to Christ. The fire he received from the altar, he radiated to many through his priestly ministry. He administered the sacraments with holiness and devotion. With his natural sense of humor, he brought joy and smiles to those around him. He lived a life of simplicity as a Carmelite brother.
As years passed his health began to decline and so in October 2019, Fr Eugene was transferred from Pala to Cherupushpa Ashram, Ettumanoor for his health care where he would spend the last years of his life. Though he had age-related health issues, he always remained joyful and completely relaxed, there was never a complaint on his lips. He could put the visitors at ease with his stories and humour. Meanwhile his health was deteriorating. He was hospitalized a few times. On 14th April, 2026, he showed some signs of unrest, but it was not felt to be serious, and as usual he was served food at 8 pm and when the servant came to collect the plates, he was found motionless, and immediately was rushed to Caritas Hospital where he was always treated. At 9:00 pm he breathed his last and the doctors confirmed his death. His body was moved to the mortuary, and on 16th April, 2026 his body was brought to Cherupushpa Ashram, Ettumanoor for the public to pay him last homages. At 10:00 am Holy mass was celebrated in Cherupushpa Ashram and by 11:00 am, the mortal remains were taken to Lisieux Centre St. Therese Monastery, Muvattupuzha for the final rites.
Many of our fathers and brothers from different communities reached either Ettumannoor or Muvattupuzha to pray for the repose of the soul of Fr. Eugene. The funeral mass was celebrated at 4:00 pm, presided over by His Excellency Mar Bosco Puthoor, Bishop Emeritus of Melbourne and the funeral oration was delivered by Rev. Fr. Peter Chakiath OCD, the Provincial, concluding part of the funeral rites were conducted by His Excellency Mar Jacob Murickan, the former Auxiliary Bishop of Pala. Rev. Fr. Eugene Eluvathingal Kattookaran OCD was laid to rest on 16th April, 2026 at Lisieux Centre St Therese Monastery, Muvattupuzha. Dear Rev. Fr. Eugene, may your soul rest in peace!
On behalf of the Province, I would like to express my profound gratitude to the community of Cherupushpa Ashram, Ettumanoor for the great love and care they showed to Fr. Eugene. Rev. Fr. James Niravath and the community of Lisieux Centre St Therese Monastery, made all the arrangements for the funeral services. Let me thank them most sincerely. I thank the media team of the province under the leadership of Fr. Joseph Thekkumattathil for the live coverage of the
funeral services, and also my gratitude to Fr. Sebastian Chennakkattukunnel, the Provincial Secretary, Fr Thomas Olickal and Fr Paul Thannippilly for the liturgical arrangements.
Let us keep our dear Rev. Fr. Eugene Kattookaran OCD in our prayers.