(17-03-1903 to 20-02-1992)
Rev. Br. Stephen Thuruthumalil OCD of St. Mary Magdalene expired on 13th February, 1993, at the age of 90 in 57th year of his Religious Profession at Carmel Hill, Thiruvananthapuram.
Mani Thuruthumalil, son of Chacko Thuruthumalil and Mary Manjooran, was born on 17th March, 1903 at Kaipuzha, in the Archdiocese of Changanacherry. At the age of 30, on 2nd July, 1933, he joined our Order of the Discalced Carmelites, at Carmel Hill, Thiruvananthapuram. After the Postulancy lasting for 6 months, he received the Holy Habit taking the name Br. Stephen Thuruthumalil OCD of St. Mary Magdalene; he made his Simple Profession on 11th February, 1936 and Solemn Profession on 11th February, 1939 at Carmel Hill Monastery.
Rev. Br. Stephen was conventual in our monasteries at Thiruvananthapuram, Thuckalay, Ernakulam, Ettumannoor, Bengaluru, Yercaud and Koombara. Since 1978 May, he was at Carmel Hill Monastery, Thiruvananthapuram. He served our communities in various responsibilities assigned to him. In most of the monasteries, he was in charge of garden and cultivation. Br. Stephen was in charge of our Carmel Book Stall, Thiruvananthapuram for few years in the beginning stage. He was very diligent in discharging his duties assigned to him and was always serviceable to the Community. His simple life style, availability to the Community and commitment to the duties must be a source of inspiration to all of us. In February, 1986, Br. Stephen celebrated the Golden Jubilee of his religious profession.
For a few years Br. Stephen was suffering from various ailments due to his advanced age. Many a time, he was admitted in the hospital due to Asthmatic complaints. Strengthened by the Holy Sacraments of the Church, Rev. Br. Stephen Thuruthumalil OCD of St. Mary Magdalene slept in the Lord at 7.00 p.m. on Saturday, 13th February, 1993, at Carmel Hill Monastery and his funeral took place at 4.00 p.m. on Sunday, 14th February, 1993.
Rev. Fr. Joseph Thuruthumalil, a relative of Br. Stephen was the main Celebrant at the Funeral Mass. Very Rev. Fr. Francis Kunnelpuriyidam, Prior of Carmel Hill Monastery, preached the homily. Rt. Rev. Soosai Pakiam, Bishop of Thiruvananthapuram Diocese officiated at the last rites. Relatives of Rev. Br. Stephen Thuruthumalil OCD of St. Mary Magdalene, representatives from our Monasteries, a good number of religious and laity were present at Funeral service. The mortal remains were interred into the Monastery Crypt at 5.30 p.m.
+ May the Lord reward His faithful Carmelite Brother!!
REQUIEM IN PACEM!!