(21-08-1929 to 09-11-1977)
Rev. Fr. Boniface Kottoor OCD of St. Mary, commended his heart to His Lord on 24th November, 1977, at the age of 48 in 24th year of his Profession.
Fr. Boniface was born of pious parents, Cherian and Anna on 21st August 1929 in a noble family of Kottoor at Udayamperoor, belonging to the Archdiocese of Ernakulam. In 1947, he joined as Apostolic School at Ernakulam and passed his High School at St. Albert High School, Ernakulam.
On 9th May, 1952, he received the Holy Habit of the Order of the Discalced Carmelites taking the new name Br. Boniface Kottoor OCD of St. Mary, at St. Elias’ Monastery, Thuckalay. He made his Simple Profession on 10th May, 1953 at St. Elias’ and made his Solemn Profession on 10th May, 1956 at Carmel Hill Monastery, Thiruvananthapuram. After an year of Philosophy, Br. Boniface along with his colleagues flew to Belgium, to continue their studies there. He was ordained priest at Ghent, Belgium on 29th June, 1961. After the Ordination, he returned to the Province at Thiruvananthapuram, in 1961.
Rev. Fr. Boniface hold various posts in the Malabar Semi-Province where he belonged – Procurator of Lisieux Centre, Muvattupuzha; Superior, Cherupushpa Ashram, Ettumannoor (1966-69); Parish Priest at Muvattupuzha Parish Church (1969-1971) and in 1971 he was appointed as the Superior of the newly found Ávilagiri Ashram, Koombara. He built the Monastery Church of Ávilagiri Ashram. He was re-elected as the Superior once again for Ávilagiri Ashram from 1972 to 1975. He was concerned about the poverty of the people nearby in Koombara.
He suffered acute liver problem and he underwent an operation in the Medical College Hospital, Thiruvananthapuram. Strengthened with the Holy Sacraments of the Church, Rev. Fr. Boniface of St. Mary slept in the Lord on 24th November, 1977 and was buried in the Monastery crypt of Carmel Hill Monastery, Thiruvananthapuram on the following day.
+ May the Lord reward His faithful Carmelite Friar!!
REQUIEM IN PACEM!!