(23-10-1919 to 05-06-1987)
Rev. Fr. Alphonse Panackal OCD of the Mother of God died in Bombay, on 5th June, 1987, at the age of 68 in 48th year of his Profession.
James Panackal, son of Uthup Joseph and Brigit, was born on 23rd October, 1919 at Panthathala, in the Diocese of Changanacherry, now in Palai.
James joined our Order of the Discalced Carmelites at Carmel Hill Monastery, Thiruvananthapuram in 1938. He received the Holy Habit of the Order on 22nd Sept., 1938 as Br. Alphonse Panackal OCD of the Mother of God and made his Simple Profession on 23rd Sept., 1939. He made his Solemn Profession on 23rd Sept., 1942. He was ordained priest on 6th August, 1946 at Thuckalay, by Msgr. Agniswamy SJ, Bishop of Kottar.
Rev. Fr. Alphonse had served our communities at Thiruvananthapuram, Thuckalay, Ernakulam, Bengaluru, Muvattupuzha, Varapuzha, Hoshiarpur and Ettumannoor. He was an able retreat preacher and Spiritual Director. He was also a Professor of the Canon Law and Latin for our students. He served the Province as the Manager of St. Joseph’s Press at Carmel Hill. Through his acquaintance with foreign friends, he helped so many poor people who came to him for their needs.
Rev. Fr. Alphonse Panackal OCD of the Mother of God went to Bombay to preach a retreat to the Carmelite Missionary Sisters (CM) at Prithikunnu. On 5th June, 1987 the last day of the retreat, he celebrated the Holy Mass with the participants at 10.30 a.m. After the Holy Mass he retired to his room where he died of Heart Attack. The retreat was at the Pastoral Centre of the Archdiocese at Bandra, Bombay. His body was flown to Thiruvananthapuram on the following day on 6th June and taken to Carmel Hill Monastery, where he was interred in our Monastery crypt in the evening. Very Rev. Fr. Provincial presided over the Funeral Mass and Msgr. Jacob Acharuparambil OFM Cap., Bishop of Thiruvananthapuram officiated at the funeral rites.
+ May the Lord reward His faithful Carmelite Friar!!
REQUIEM IN PACEM!!