(…… to 31-08-2001)
Rev. Fr. Brocard Thoompunkal OCD, who hailed from St. Mary’s Parish, Parel in the Archdiocese of Changanacherry, was born in the renowned family of Thoompunkal. After his High School Studies at St. Berchman’s School, Changanacherry, he entered our Carmel Hill Monastery, Thiruvananthapuram, as an Aspirant in 1935 taking the name Br. Brocard Thoompunkal OCD. He made his Simple Profession on 23rd September 1939 and Solemn Profession on 23rd September 1942. He was ordained priest on 14th April, 1946 at St. Elias’ Monastery, Thuckalay.
Rev. Fr. Brocard served our Province many offices. He was the Superior and Prior of our many communities. He was the Provincial Procurator when the resources of our Province were very limited and hardly sufficient. He also served our Province as a Provincial Councilor. His virtuous frugality, total dependence on God’s Providence, incomparable commitment to the responsibilities entrusted to him and the total surrendering in obedience to the Superiors should be the source of inspiration for all of us.
Rev. Fr. Brocard Thoompunkal OCD, our dearest friar who was about to celebrate his birthday on 11th September, 2001, expired on 31st August, when Kerala was celebrating Thiruvonam. A few months ago he had a massive heart attck and after that he was bedridden, But his physical condition became worse.
The community of Carmel Hill was preparing to celebrate his Patron’s Day. Which falls on the 2nd September, when he flew to Heaven to celebrate the Feast of St. Brocard, to whom the Carmelite Rule was given by St. Albert of Jerusalem.
When the death of Rev. Fr. Brocard was announced, people from all walks of life flocked into our Monastery Church to pay homage to their dearest friar. Among them were, His Grace Most Rev. Cyril Mar Baselios, the Metropolitan Archbishop of Thiruvananthapuram, and His Excellency Joshua Mar Ignatios, the Auxiliary Bishop of Archdiocese of Thiruvananthapuram.
The community of Carmel Hill celebrated a Requiem High Mass officiated by Very Rev. Fr. Provincial of OCD Malabar Province in our Monastery auditorium, where the body of Rev. Fr. Brocard Thoompunkal OCD kept in the mobile mortuary. Very Rev. Fr. Bernardine Vallathara OCD, the Prior of Carmel Hill, who knew Rev. Fr. Brocad OCD from the year 1942 gave the homily bringing out the special virtues that outshone in his life, which were given as an example for everyone. His body, then was taken to Lisieux Centre, Muvattupuzha from Carmel Hill Monastery at 1.00 a.m. on 1st September. Very Rev. Fr. Provincial and many members of the Carmel Hill Monastery accompany the mortal remains of our dearest friar to Muvattupuzha where he was to rest for the Glorious Resurrection.
Very Rev. fr. Provincial OCD officiated the Holy Mass at Lisieux Centre, Muvattupuzha at 10.00 a.m. His Excellency Rt. Rev. Dr. George Punnakottil, Bishop of Kothamangalam, officiated the funeral rite. His mortal remains were interred into the Crypt at Lisieux Centre at 12.30 p.m.
Dead or Alive, they bring us great blessing!
While living with us they walked with us giving us life and light!
After leaving us all, they intercede for us in Heaven!!
May our dearest friar intercede for us!!!
+ May the Lord reward His faithful Carmelite Friar!!
REQUIEM IN PACEM!!