(20-12-1921 to 10-01-2015)
Rev. Fr. Bernardine Vallathara OCD of the Holy Ghost expired on 27th November, 2015, at the age of 94.
Rev. Fr. Bernardine Vallathara OCD was born on 20th December 1921 at Mannanam in the Archdiocese of Changanacherry. Devasia Joseph and Mariam were his parents. They had 8 children. After his primary and secondary schooling, he entered the Pre-Novitiate on 15th April, 1940 at Carmel Hill Monastery, Thiruvananthapuram.
Fr. Bernardine received the Holy Habit of the Discalced Carmelite Order on 7th June,1941 taking the name Br. Bernardine Vallathara OCD of the Holy Ghost at Carmel Hill Monastery and made his Simple Profession on 9th June, 1945. He had his philosophical and theological studies at Carmel Hill Monastery, Thiruvananthapuram and St. Elias’ Monastery, Thuckalay. He was ordained priest on 2nd April, 1949 at St. Joseph’s Cathedral, Palayam, Thiruvananthapuram by Rt. Rev. Vincent V. Dereira.
Fr. Bernardine served the Province of Malabar at different houses and in various positions. He was the Vicar Provincial, and Provincial Councilor. He served as Prior of Carmel Hill Monastery. He also served as the Professor in Philosophy and Theology, Chaplain to the Central Prison, Thiruvananthapuram and for the sisters in various convents. He was the Director of Pious Union as well as the Carmelite Secular Order. Not only these, he also served the Province as the Prefect of Studies, Master of Theology Students, Master of Second Novitiates, Chairman of RAS and as the Procurator at various monasteries under Malabar Province.
Fr. Bernardine also served as the Editor to the Carmel Magazine. He was a well-known retreat preacher. He had authored many books, including Njan Kanda Vishudhan, his memoirs on Late Archbishop Aloysius Mària Benziger, with whom he had the personal experience of living with him at Carmel Hil Monastery.
Fr. Bernardine was very good in keeping relationships. He had many friends from all walks of life. He was always devoted to the hierarchy of the church and interested in its affairs of the church. Fr. Bernardine had personal contacts with many Bishops.
Fr. Bernardine was conventual at Carmel Hill Monastery during the last years of his life. He was known for his availability as a confessor and as a Spiritual Father for the Bishops, priests, religious and faithful. When his health grew worse due to old age and other sickness, he was taken to Jubilee Memorial Hospital, Palayam, Thiruvananthapuram and from there to the KIMS Hospital, Thiruvananthapuram. While he was on treatment at KIMS, he received the Anointing of the Sick. He breathed his last on Saturday at the hospital at 11.00 p.m., on 10th of January, 2015.
The body was kept in the hospital mortuary for a day and on 11th his body was brought to Carmel Hill Monastery. The body was kept in the church for public to pay the last homage. At 4.00 p.m., the community concelebrated Requiem Holy Mass for the departed soul. A large number of people from different walks of life paid their last homage to their last homage to their Spiritual Father. Among them were – Moran Mor Baselius Cardinal Cleemis, Catholicos Major Archbishop of the Malankara Catholic Church; Most Rev. Soosai Pakiam, Latin Archbishop of Thiruvananthapuram; Most Rev. Vincent Samuel, Bishop of Neyyattinkara; Joshua, Mar Ignatios, Bishop of Mavelikkara; Mar Joseph Perunthottam, Archbishop of Changanacherry;Mar Joseph Powathil, Archbishop Emiretus of Changanacherry; and Mar Joseph Pallickaparambil, Bishop Emiretus of Palai Diocese, who, paid their homage and prayed Office of the Dead according to their rites.
At 1.00 p.m., on 12th Monday, the body was taken to Lisieux Centre, Muvattupuzha. The funeral service started at 3.30 p.m. The funeral Mass was concelebrated by Very Rev. Dr. Joseph Elamparayil OCD, our Provincial and a good number of priests. A large number of religious, nuns and faithful participated in the ceremonies. Rev. Fr. George Vettukuzhiyil OCD read out the message of Cardinal Mar George Alencherry, Major Archbishop of Syro-Malabar Church. The funeral rite was officiated by Mar George Madathikandathil, Bishop of Kothamangalam assisted by Samuel Mar Irenius, Auxiliary Bishop of Malankara Major Archdiocese, Thiruvananthapuram. The body of Rev. Fr. Bernardine Vallathara OCD was interred into the crept by 6.30 p.m.
+ May the Lord reward His faithful Carmelite Friar!!
REQUIEM IN PACEM!!