(23-02-1963 to 26-04-1996)
Rev. Fr. Michael Kalleplackal OCD of the Holy Trinity went to Heaven to receive his reward on 26th April, 1996, at Jubilee Memorial Hospital, Thiruvananthapuram, due to Blood Cancer, at the age of 33 in 11th year of his Religious Profession.
Rev. Fr. Michael, son of Varkey Kalleplackal and Aley, was born on 23rd February, 1963 at Arakkulam, belonging to the Diocese of Palai.
He joined our Order of Discalced Carmelites at Ávilagiri Ashram, Koombara, on 11th June 1983 and did one year of Postulancy there. After the pre-Novitiate, he received the Holy Habit on 7th September, 1984 taking the new name Br. Michael Kalleplackal OCD of the Holy Trinity at Carmel Ashram, Kalady. Having successfully completed one year of Canonical Novitiate there, he made his Simple Profession on 8th September, 1985.
He came to our Carmel Hill Monastery, Thiruvananthapuram for his Philosophy in 1986 and was there till 1989. Meanwhile, he also graduated in Arts. After completing his Philosophy, he did one year of Regency in our Malabar Carmelite Mission in Punjab.
After Regency, in 1990, Fr. Michael did his Theology at Carmelaram Theology College, Bengaluru. He made his Solemn Profession at Cherupushpa Ashram, Ettumannoor on 2nd June, 1991 and was ordained priest on 19th November, 1993, by His Excellency Mar Joseph Pallickaparambil, Bishop of Palai, in his Parish Church at Arakkulam.
Rev. Fr. Michael Kalleplackal OCD of the Holy Trinity was conventual of Carmel Ashram, Kalady from December
Dec. 1993 – May 1994 Conventual of Carmel Ashram, Kalady
May 1994 – Dec. 1995 Conventual of St. Teresa’s Monastery, Ernakulam
Dec. 1995 – April 1996 Carmel Hill Monastery, Trivandrum
Rev. Fr. Michael Kalleplackal OCD of the Holy Trinity was a devout and exemplary religion. His simplicity, spirit of poverty, availability to the Community and readiness to do any kind of service for the good of his Community in spite of his ill health and fatal sickness deserve special appreciation.
Rev. Fr. Michael was in fact ‘a suffering servant of Yahweh’. In July, 1992, even before his priestly Ordination he was diagnosed that he had Leukaemia in a very critical condition. During the funeral oration, Very Rev. Fr. Pascal Koroth OCD, Fr. Michael’s Master during Theology, said that Fr. Michael’s very first response when this shocking news was conveyed to him and the content of his subsequent letters to him was ‘Thy Will be Done!’.
Rev. Fr. Michael was under medication ever since the diagnosis of his illness. But he participated in all the Community acts and did his priestly ministry in such an extraordinary way that nobody could ever understand that he is in such a critical stage.
Rev. Fr. Michael was admitted in the Jubilee Memorial Hospital, Thiruvananthapuram during the last 3 months of his life and blood transfusion was done regularly. What deserves to be specially mentioned here, is that even when he was writhing in excruciating pain, he never complained of his suffering. He offered his sufferings for the conversion of sinners, for the growth and development of our Missions, and for the welfare of our Malabar Province. His bystanders reported that they heard him offering his sufferings for the above intentions when he was in coma.
On 25th April, 1996 Fr. Michael’s condition became very critical. Still he requested for and received Holy Communion. On 26th Friday afternoon, his condition further deteriorated and sharp at 4.30 p.m. Rev. Fr. Michael Kalleplackal OCD of the Holy Trinity flew to the presence of the Holy Trinity at the very young age of 33. His Grace Cyril Mar Baselios, Archbishop of Thiruvananthapuram prayed the Office of the Dead, visiting the dead body. His funeral took place on the following day at 3.00 p.m. His Excellency Rt. Rev. Dr. Soosai Pakiam, Bishop of Thiruvananthapuram officiated at the Last Ceremonies of the funeral rites and his mortal remains were inferred into the Monastery Crypt of Carmel Hill Monastery at 4.30 p.m. A large number of religious, priests and laity attended the funeral ceremonies.
+ May the Lord reward His faithful Carmelite Brother!!
REQUIEM IN PACEM!!