(1908 to 09-01-1977)
Rev. Fr. Aloysius Vadassery OCD of St. Mary, passed away on 9th January, 1977, at the age of 69 in 47th year of his Profession.
Dominic J. Vadassery was born of pious parents, Joseph Vadassery and Anna at Thambalacaud, belonging to the Diocese of Changanacherry. After his Matriculation at St. Thomas High School, Palai, he joined our Holy Order of Discalced Carmelites of Malabar Semi-Province on 7th December, 1928, at Carmel Hill Monastery, Thiruvananthapuram. He received his religious Vestition on 23rd March, 1929 taking the new name Br. Aloysius Vadassery OCD of St. Mary. He made his Simple Profession on 25th March, 1930 and Solemn Profession on 25th March, 1933. He did his Philosophy at Carmel Hill Philosophy College, Thiruvananthapuram, and Theology at St. Elias’, Thuckalay. He was ordained priest on 24th August 1934.
Rev. Fr. Aloysius served the Order in various levels in our monasteries of Thuckalay, Thiruvananthapuram, Ernakulam and Verapoly. He was the first Manager of St. Joseph’s Press, Thiruvananthapuram. He was elected as the Superior, St. Teresa’s Monastery, Ernakulam, during the Provincial Chapter held in Carmel Hill Monastery, from 7-14 May, 1954. But out of humility he refused to accept the Office.
The intense thirst for souls made Rev. Fr. Aloysius, a great missionary, especially to work among the poor and to preach the Word of God to millions who hadn’t heard of Christ. With the long-cherished dreams burning within his heart, Fr. Aloysius joined the Thiruvananthapuram Mission in1957 with the permission of his superiors. His first mission field was a village called Chempur, where he built a parochial house and welcomed many to Christian faith. He was really a man of God and a friend of anyone who approached to him without caste or creed. He was happy to do his apostolic works for his Master and Lord, Jesus. He helped the people under his guidance both spiritually and economically.
When the authorities saw that the church was well established, at Chempur, Fr. Aloysius was asked to go to Kattakode, a noticeable place; but he refused with humility because he wished only to work among the poor people. So he was sent to Thevanpara where he transformed himself to be a true apostle of Christ among those poor people there. While he was at Thevanpara, Fr. Aloysius OCD was discharging all the duties including the duty of the Forane Vicar of that Mission District.
In 1976, according to the direction given by the Definitory General, he returned to the Province. He was assigned conventuality at St. Elias’ Monastery, Thuckalay. There too he was active in the mission work. On 9th January, 1977, while he was on his way to Neyyattinkara to celebrate the Holy Mass, he got a sudden Cardiac arrest and he rushed to the Thuckalay monastery. After a short time, he slept in the Lord.
On the following day, 10th January, 1977, his body was buried in the crypt, under the Carmel Hill Monastery Church.
+ May the Lord reward His faithful Carmelite Friar!!
REQUIEM IN PACEM!!