(04-03-1966 to 05-12-2017)
Rev. Fr. Mathew Thundathil OCD of the Holy Mother of God expired on 5th December, 2017, at the age of 51.
Rev. Fr. Mathew Thundathil OCD of the Holy Mother of God belong to the Anakkampoyil Parish, Thamarassery Diocese of Kothamangalam. He was the youngest son of Thomas and Annamma born on 4th March 1966. He joined in the Malabar Province of the Order of the Discalced Carmelites on 10th June, 1984 taking the new name Br. Mathew Thundathil OCD of the Holy Mother of God. His Simple Profession was on 8th September 1988 and Solemn Profession on 5th June 1994. He was ordained priest on 4th January 2000.
Fr. Mathew was hospitalized in Jubilee Memorial Hospital in Thiruvananthapuram on 13th June 2016 for treatment for stomach pain. Later he was transferred to SK Hospital, Thiruvananthapuram and then to KIMS, Thiruvananthapuram for a major surgery in the stomach on 16th June 2016 and they diagnosed with cancer on 22nd June 2016. After spending a few days in the St. John’s Malankara Hospital, Pirappancode for recovery, he was shifted to Velloor Medical College for advanced cancer treatment and chemotherapy on 12th July 2016.
After one year and three months treatment in Velloor, he was brought back to Jubilee Hospital and then shifted to Rajagiri for Palliative assistance in 17th October, 2017. His mortal remains were brought to Carmel Hill Monastery Church on 6th December, 2017. Many political, literary, social and religious dignitaries paid their homage. Then on 7th December, he was taken to Lisieux Centre, Muvattupuzha for the funeral. Very Rev. Fr. Sebastian Koodapattu, our Provincial, presided over the funeral Mass at 11.30 a.m. and H. B. Moran Mor Baselios Cardinal Cleemis, Major Archbishop – Catholicos, President of All India Bishop’s Conference, together with Bishop Remegius, Thomas Tharayil, Joshua and Theodosius conducted the funeral service on 7th December, 2017.
Fr. Mathew Thundathil OCD served as the Director of Carmel International Publishing House (CIPH) in Thiruvananthapuram, of the Malabar Province from 2000 onwards. He excelled and contributed to the Kerala Church as a visionary, writer, editor, translator, speaker and teacher. His foresight and commitment boosted up the growth of CIPH. During his tenure, he published more than 200 books. Among the countless contributions, is the publication of L’Osservatore Romano, the official newspaper of the Universal Catholic Church in English and Malayalam. It was his outstanding gift given to Kerala Catholic Church. His hard work and determination resulted in the acquisition of the right for CIPH to distribute and translate this newspaper into Malayalam which has been printed in Rome and America and been published only in seven European Languages till 2009. Another unique blessing to the Indian Catholic Church in his translation of numerous Apostolic exhortations, letters and documents that included the teachings of St. John Paul II, Pope Benedict XVI and Pope Francis.
Layam, a heart touching novel of an integrated historical life story of the Sts. Edith Stein and Teresa of Ávila written by Rev. Fr. Mathew Thundathil OCD is a unique literary genre by its simple, appealing and aesthetic language use. To see dreams and to persevere in its realization was his outstanding vision for life. Another feather to his literary crest is the musical presentation of the Apostolic letter “God is Love” of Pope Benedict in CD Format. Besides that, he also served the Malabar Province as Provincial Councilor, Director of the Social Work of the Province and Carmel Communications and an exemplary teacher. For long time he was the Spiritual Father for various convents in Thiruvananthapuram. In brief, he is an icon of simple life and compassion.
“Adnuntiemus Vòbìs Vitam aetèrnam
quae eràt apud patrem
et apparuit nobis”
(1 Jo 1,2)
+ May the Lord reward His faithful Carmelite Friar!!
REQUIEM IN PACEM!!