(27.07.1954 to 07.01.2025)
Rev Fr Antony Puzhakkara of Immaculate Conception was called to eternal bliss in the Lord’s house on 7th January 2025, at 4:45 pm after a brief illness. He lived for 70 fruitful years, and 48 years of professed religious life and 40 years of dedicated priestly life.
Antony P.M (Rev Fr Antony Puzhakkara of Immaculate Conception) was born in Thudanganad, Kottayam on 27.07.1954 to Mr. Mathew and late Mrs. Monica as the eldest among the seven siblings. He had his primary education in St Thomas Higher Secondary School, Thudanganad. The family got migrated to the Malabar region in the year 1982 and hence St. George Church, Chembanthotty in Thalassery Archdiocese became his home parish. He joined the Order of Discalced Carmelites in the year 1972, he entered the Novitiate of Malabar Province OCD and received the habit of the Order at St Elias Monastery Thuckalay on 15th July 1975 and made his
first profession on 16th July 1976 and his solemn profession on 11th October 1981 at Cherupushpa Ashram, Ettumanoor. He was ordained the priest of the Lord on 19th December, 1984 by His Excellency Rt. Rev. Dr Cornelius Elanjikkal.
Soon after his priestly ordination he was assigned conventuality at Avilagiri Ashram, Koomabara (1985-1987) doing pastoral ministry and helping the students in formation. During his tenure in Koombara, he served as the Pre-Novice master at Carmelaram Theology College, Banglore in 1985 and Mount Carmel Ashram, Peravoor in 1986. From the year 1987-1989, he served as the Director of Postulants at Cherupushpa Ashram, Ettumanoor. While he was a formator, he accompanied the brothers in their formative journey with great dedication. He was an approachable, friendly and available formator.
In the year 1989, since there was a great need of personnel in our Malabar Carmelite Mission in Punjab (Delhi Province) he was sent as a missionary to north India. In one of his letter addressed to Fr Provincial he writes or he submits himself saying “മിഷനിലേയ്ക്ക് പോകുന്നതിനു എനിക്ക് അഭിപ്രായവ്യത്യാസം ഒന്നും ഇല്ല , അച്ചൻ തീരുമാനിച്ചു എന്നെ അറിയിച്ചാൽ മതി”. As a missionary, from 1989-1993, he served as the parish priest of Infant Jesus Catholic Church, Garshankar as well as the Manager of Mount Carmel School, Gharshankar. He was a zealous missionary and pastor, visiting villages along with the catechist, gathering people to pray the rosary etc. He tried to inculcate Marian devotion in the hearts of the members of the mission Church. Despite of the turbulent situation in Punjab due to the insurgency of the Khalisthan terrorists as the consequence of Blue Star Operation, Fr Antony moved from villages to villages visiting families and doing evangelisation.
From the year 1993-99, he was the member of Avila Dhyanasram, Sengulam. Here the preacher in Fr Antony was gradually emerging. He preached retreats, gave monthly recollections, counselling, heard confessions etc with great vigour. From 1996-1999, he was also the Asst. Vocation Director of the Province.
He was the member of San Juan Ashram, Mandapam from the year 1999-2000. From 2000 -2004 he served in Carmel Sadan, Belthangadi. Here too he was zealously preaching the gospel, conducting parish retreats, giving monthly recollections,
spiritual guidance in the nearby convents, hearing confessions etc. During his tenure in Belthangadi he was called ‘Vallyachan’ by the faithful.
He spent a long period of time in Carmel Ashram, Kalady from 2004- 2020. His service as the confessor of the novices is to be specially appreciated and noticed. He was ever available, comforting and encouraging confessor to the novices. He used to give classes to the novices and even used to accompany and encourage the novices in the playground. He was also concerned of the domestic staff. He also used to visit the families, comforting the less fortunate families around the monastery irrespective of caste and creed. He was even remembered and revered by the auto-rickshaw drivers in Kalady. Playing cards during the recreation was one the cheerful memories for the other community members.
In 2020 he was given conventuality in St Teresa’s Monastery, Eranakulam. Here too he lived a true carmelite spirituality and was docile to the directives of the superior. His health started to deteriorate during his stay in Eranakulam. He also served the Avilagiri Ashram, Koombara community just before being made conventual in Cherupushpa Ashram, Ettumanoor for better treatment as he was diagnosed with cancer. He was admitted in Caritas Hospital, Thellakom due to a mild chest pain on 1st January 2025 and there he was affected by jaundice. According to the medical reports, he was also having high liver cirrhosis. Three days after his admission in Caritas Hospital, his condition worsened and was suggested by the doctors to shift him to the palliative care. During this time his father as well as relatives visited him. On January 7, 2025, 4:45pm Fr Antony breathed his last in the presence of the doctor as well as his two sisters Mercy and Regina.
The body was brought to Cherupushpa Ashram, Ettumanoor on 8th January and was kept in the church for the public to pay him homage. At 10:00 am Holy Mass was celebrated in Cherupushpa Ashram and the mortal body of Rev. Fr. Antony was brought to Lisieux Centre, Muvattupuzha. Many of our fathers and brothers from different communities reached either Ettumanoor or Muvatupuzha to pray for the repose of the soul. The funeral mass was celebrated at 3:00 pm, presided over by Fr. Provincial and the concluding funeral rites were conducted by His Excellency Rt. Rev. Yohannoon Theodosius, Bishop of Syro Malankara Diocese of Muvattupuzha. Rev. Fr. Antony Puzhakkara OCD was laid to rest on 8th January, 2025 at Lisieux Centre St
Therese Monastery, Muvattupuzha. The words of St. Paul have come true in the life of Fr. Antony: “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord will award to me on that day” (2 Tim 4:7-8). Dear Rev. Fr. Antony, may your soul rest in peace.