(3-10-1925 to 16-11-1997)
Rev. Fr. Lucas Chilampacherry OCD of Child Jesus expired on 16th November, 1997, at Ávilagiri Ashram, Koombara, at the age of 72 in 49th year of his Religious Profession.
Job Paul was born on 3rd October 1925 at Monipally, Kattoor Parish in the Diocese of Palai as the second of the three sons of Mani Paily Chilampacherry and Anna Vallippalam and was baptized on 10th October 1925.
At the age of 21, on 8th May 1946 he joined our Order as the Postulant at our Carmel Hill Monastery, Thiruvananthapuram. He received the habit of the Order taking the new name Br. Lucas Chilampacherry and began his Novitiate on 5th August 1947 at St. Elias Mount, Thuckalay, Tamil Nadu and made his First Profession on 6th August 1948. On 6th August 1951 he made his Solemn Profession at Carmel Hill Monastery, Thiruvananthapuram. He successfully completed his Philosophy and Theology courses at Carmel Hill Monastery, and was ordained Deacon on 18th September, 1954 and Priest on 24th March 1955 at Carmel Hill, by His Excellency, Rt. Rev. Vincent Derriere OCD Bishop of Thiruvananthapuram Diocese.
The high esteem Malabar Diocese always had for Rev. Fr. Lucas is clear from the very fact that he held very important and responsible offices in the Province for 32 continuous years until he himself decided not to accept any office whatever. He was Provincial Procurator and Director of Postulants for one year each. He was the Master of Novices for as many as 12 years: for 1763-69 and from 1975-81. Rev. Fr. Lucas was Provincial councilor in charge of spirituality from 1981-84. He was the Prior at St. Elias’ Monastery, Thuckalay; Carmel Hill Monastery, Thiruvananthapuram and Carmel Ashram, Kalady. Fr. Lucas was the Superior at Cherupushpa Ashram, Ettumannoor for six years. While he was Conventual and Spiritual Director of our Aspirants at Ávilagiri Ashram, Koombara, he died suddenly due to heart attack on 16th November, 1997.
The wonderful services of Rev. Fr. Lucas Chilampacherry OCD of Child Jesus, which he rendered to the Malabar Province, are very much to praise God for such a priest; particularly in Formation of our Brothers, everyone in the Province gratefully remember him. His life was his example of simplicity, prayerfulness, love for the community and the OCD Religious Order and above all his devotion and dedication to his duties and responsibilities. which were given to him by his Superiors. He inspired all who came to him and proved to them that he was really a o friar of Child Jesus. He was like a father to everyone who understood him and he was so simple and childlike with children. He always had a welcoming smile on his face. He was well-known for his love and compassion for the poor. He always had a special concern for them and was ready to do whatever services possible for them. He had also served many religious congregations in his capacity as their Spiritual Director and Confessor.
Rev. Fr. Lucas did not have any serious illness. On Friday, 14th November he complained of a minor chest pain and went to a nearby hospital for check-up. The doctors, however, diagnosed of a heart attack and admitted him in the ICU. They did not find any critical issues. Fr. Lucas was conscious; and was talking to our co-fathers and brothers who were at his bedside. In the afternoon of Sunday 16th Nov., Fr. Lucas desired to celebrate the Holy Mass and asked Fr. Superior to make necessary arrangements for that. However, by 15.30 p.m. there was a sudden change in his condition and Fr. Lucas became unconscious all on a sudden. He was administered this Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick and Fr. Lucas breathed his last at 15.45 p.m.
Rev. Fr. Lucas’ body was taken to Ávilagiri Ashram, Koombara, where he was conventual at the time of his death. From there his body was brought to Carmel Hill Monastery, Thiruvananthapuram on the following day; halting at his home at Thirumarady, which has turned to be a Parish church – [Both his brothers had been priests – elder brother Rev. Fr. Mathew Chilampacherry OCD was a member of Malabar Province; and the young brother Rev. Fr. Paul Xavier Chilampacherry was the Rector of the Minor Seminary of the Diocese of Palai, on condition that it be converted to a Parish church] – Lisieux Centre, Muvattupuzha and Cherupushpa Ashram, Ettumannoor.
The funeral service started at 15.00 p.m. on 17th November, 1997. Very Rev. Fr. Martin Paranthanam OCD, then Provincial was the main Celebrant of the funeral Mass and Rev. Fr. Peter Chakkiath OCD delivered the funeral oration. His Grace Most Rev. Cyril Mar Baselios, Archbishop of Thiruvananthapuram, came in to pay his last respects and prayed for the repose of the soul of Rev. Fr. Lucas. His Excellency Rt. Rev. Soosa Pakiam, Bishop of Thiruvananthapuram officiated at the last rites. An unusually large number of priests and religious, besides his relatives and friends took part in the funeral services. The mortal remains of Rev. Fr. Lucas Chilampacherry OCD of Child Jesus, were interred into the Monastery crypt by 17.30 p.m.
May the Merciful Lord grant him the heavenly reward prepared for his chosen ones and may his soul rest in peace.
+ May the Lord reward His faithful Carmelite Friar!!
REQUIEM IN PACEM!!